Community

The Covid-19 diaries of two experienced volunteers:

There has been a surge in people volunteering and the Government and the Department of Rural and Community Development has issued guidance and advice to volunteers and community groups.

We're one week down. Listen to editor Allen Meagher's take on the changed landscape.

“Many of our communities and disadvantaged groups are still reeling from the impact of disproportionate cuts over the past decade.” - Jim Finn

Last year, 133 people drowned, the majority of them men in tragic circumstances. When a drowning occurs, bodies are usually recovered thanks in no small part to the many voluntary search, rescue and recovery groups. Meath River Rescue is one such group and it has twice benefitted from LEADER funding.

Here’s what community-based groups working to fight poverty and exclusion want from the next government. They want housing prioritised. They want childcare workers paid a just wage, rights for people with disabilities, action to end violence against women, priority given to independent community development work and the appointment of a minister for older people. The new government will be called on to restrict the ‘fast fashion’ industry and there is much more.

The best way to learn the value to Ireland of social enterprises is to hear about it from the horse's mouth, as heard at the country's first government-organised national conference about social enterprise.

As the Irish government declares a climate and biodiversity emergency, Patrick Kelleher asks what communities can be going to lessen their impact on the environment.