Summer Newsletter 2022

From June through to September, we have invested our energy in a lot of collective, creative and collaborative sports and artistic work. We needed to do this following a terrible spate of unacceptable and unbelievable anti-social behaviour, which impacted greatly on the safety of the community of which we, the Family Resource Centre work and serve. It was so important to change the narrative and to lift the rhythm, mood and spirit of each one of the small communities; Tyrone Place, Emmet Crescent, Emmet Court, Thornton Heights, Bulfin Court and the surrounding communities.

 Bloomsday

We began this work in June, with an outdoor event to mark ‘Bloomsday’ which we held in the stunning surrounding of Goldenbridge Cemetery. We celebrated Nora Barnacle and her relationship with James Joyce. We decided to make this a women only event. We used nature, place, imagination and the gift of creativity. We wish to convey our thanks to the Glasnevin Trust and Common Ground Arts Agency for allowing us create this beautiful event.

 Men’s Programme  

Our Men’s Group, having completed a long few months of physical exercise and their Men’s Shed activities. Our Men’s SICAP Development worker, arranged for them to go out to partake in a morning of Clay Pigeon Shooting down in Kildare followed by lunch in Friels of Straffan. They really enjoyed this outing and thought they were such sharp shooters! It was a morning of fun and time away from the tense living environment which they live in.

In July, we contacted our friends from the Ballyfermot Men’s Shed whom we have built strong relationships down through the years. All these groups were greatly impacted by Covid-19. We took our Summer Trip as an opportunity to reconnect with these men and overall, 25 men, from Inchicore, Drimnagh and Ballyfermot came on our trip to Glendalough Historical site and centre. It was like a step back in time, a walk in the beautiful nature there. We had a lovely dinner and a great sing song and of course lots of laughter, connection, kindness and care. This work is funded by the HSE Older Persons Fund.

Core Family Resource Centre Programmes:

 Our Community Work at the Family Resource Centre, St. Michaels Estate, as we always highlight, includes all age groups. We work at meeting the critical needs and nourishing the spirits of children in our After-school and Creche, our adult groups of men, women, seniors and families, as you can see and read. We do this through our education, sports, wellness programmes, including art, cultural and celebratory events. Their small neighbourhoods are our work places and spaces. We have no collective space building to work from since DCC closed the St. Michaels Parish Community Centre, which never reopened after it closed for Covid in March 2020. We have felt deeply the loss of this building, Covid masked this loss. This non-profit Community Building should not have been closed. It has been left abandoned to wither away while awaiting the long, promised Regeneration. The wider community also grieves the loss of St. Michaels Parish Community Centre. Due to this, and because we are a resilient organisation, we have had to navigate spaces that meet our need to serve the community. A lot of our work is carried out in the open air. We do hire the De Mazonad Centre  to provide our Seniors Breakfast. Our Seniors Chair Aerobics takes place in the dinner hall in Bulfin Court Senior complex. This work is supported by DCC Sports Dept and Leisure team and SICAP through the Dublin South Central Partnership. Our Women’s exercise programme takes place on the football pitch.

High Tea Party

With a small LCDC grant from Dublin City Council, we were enabled to organise a high standard Tea Party which reached out to all of our Senior Sisters across Dublin 8. We hired the kitchen of Richmond Barracks and used their public gardens to create a 50s/60s atmosphere and environment. The space and the added large marquee allowed for cover from the elements. The garden, which is beautifully kept, became the catwalk for our 50s/60s Fashion Show and wonderful singers from the ‘Sing and Tonics’ group. Our own, ‘Flames Not Flowers’ became the models by dressing in a collection of fashion gathered from the many second hand charity shops throughout Dublin. The Dublin 8 sisters who attended the Tea Party came from the Liberties, Theresa Gardens, Donore Avenue, Oliver Bond, the surrounding areas of Pimlico, Inchicore and Bluebell. Thanks to the LCDC and Richmond Barracks for the opportunity to make this very successful event. All the women who attended, raved about the event and were very happy to be invited.

Bulfin Court Seniors

Our local, Bulfin Court Summer Programme event for Seniors took place with the support of ‘Go For Life’ and some donations. It was a smaller Tea Dance with a visit from the Ice Cream man. He played music and came inside the seniors complex connecting to memory. They all loved their ice creams, and for those who cannot leave their homes, we brought cones to them.

Collective Family Fun Day

On Thursday, 15th of July, with the financial support of SICAP (Dublin South City Partnership) and donations from the Trade Unions and some Religious Orders, the Family Resource Centre led out the St. Michaels Estate Family Fun Day. We did this in collaboration with the DCC Sports and Leisure Dept, DCC Dog Show organisers Core Youth Service and St. Patricks Athletic FC, and also a great team of committed friends and volunteers of the FRC.

 This collaborative collective community, multicultural gathering was a fantastic spirit lifting event with 400 participants from the direct local and wider community, including children from Basin Lane Flats. Making connections brings us all back to our core essence of interconnection; talking, laughing, playing, sports and enjoying music together, strengthening the bonds between our communities and frontline organisations. All of the expertise of Youth, Community and sports development. Our volunteers showed great solidarity and the financial support of friends of our service allowed it to be a day to remember for families, children, men and women. This was a really important Family Fun Day, renewing the area of lower Inchicore’s spirit following a period of heightened and severe anti-social behaviour causing trauma and pain for many. 

We also provided a ‘Friday Football’ tournament for the local children to get involved in over the summer, from which some of the participants had a private tour of the St. Patricks Athletic FC ground which is on their doorsteps. This was a great experience for all of the children involved and they made connections with the club.

Palestinian Cultural Visit

Continuing our local to global solidarity work, we welcomed the Lajee Centre’s Dabka Dancers and Musicians from the Aida Camp, Bethlehem, Palestine to the historical building of Richmond Barracks, a sacred and honoured space in our Irish culture and history. We had some Irish musicians who warmed up the audience while we awaited these young fabulous dancers and musicians. Their traditional costumes along with their music and dance was beautifully tender and they told their stories of their daily lives. The manager of the Lajee Centre spoke to the audience about life under an occupying force and how restrictive to their civil liberties it is. There was such a warm connection between the visitors. We followed their performance and talk with refreshments in the Tearooms. Following this, we proceeded to the oppressed, long awaited regeneration land of St. Michaels Estate. Holding a large Palestinian Flag, which we all held together and sent love and solidarity to the people back in the Aida Camp and the whole of Palestine. This was a great, collective action, from one land to another of true solidarity.       

At a different level, the Family Resource Centre’s work from January to September has continued to support large numbers of women experiencing violence and abuse. Our Inchicore Domestic Violence Outreach Centre meets women whose stories are very harsh, women from many different cultures. The Domestic Violence Team ensure a listening ear, devise safety plans, support through the court system and all of the other issues relating to domestic violence. Through the support of Women’s Aid and Safe Ireland, we were able to support women and families experiencing financial control and hardship. In September, Tesco Inchicore included the Domestic Violence Outreach Centre in their Community Fund, and donated €627.00, to support our Community Response to violence against women. This Service is core funded under Tusla Sexual Violence Services and the Canal Communities Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force.

 Our Family Support Worker, support by the Community Foundation of Ireland and the Srs. of Mercy, has been meeting a lot of families struggling with housing, eviction and hardship issues. Those coming through our ‘Open Door’ finding us through word of mouth, through the schools and other organisations. People don’t have very many choices as poverty is a place of hardship and powerlessness. Its consequences is poor health, energy deprivation, mental strain and family breakdown. Through the support of the Community Foundation, Women’s Aid and Safe Ireland, the Family Resource Centre was enabled to help families choosing between heating their homes and eating, really vital support for families and individuals, truly struggling.               

 Our Community Safety work, funded under the Canal Communities Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force dealt with a sever landscape relating to the growing dangerous drugs culture and its shocking consequences. These communities have had to put up and suffer a lot of scary anti-social behaviour which culminated into an extremely serious incident that overwhelmed us all here, both residents and workers. To ensure the safety of the community, we worked with all of the appropriate structures needed to address this issue. We also organised a community fundraiser morning which raised; €1150.00. This was given to the victim as an act of community compassion and solidarity. The individual was so appreciative of this gesture and very moved. Thanks to all of the organisations and individuals who contributed.

 We want to remember Jamesy Grant, a long-time member of the St. Michaels Estate Community. He moved to Emmet Crescent and was a loved neighbour. He was a member of our Men’s Group and loved going on trips with them. He was the salt of the earth, a true blue Dub and a committed father, Rest in Peace.

Conclusion

This is a small insight into a moment of the Family Resource Centre’s Community Work in St. Michaels Estate. It is a unique reflection of contrast, skill and commitment to the work and mission of the overall organisation. A sincere commitment to our small communities by our valuable staff, management, volunteers and the various funders. It takes more than one to make this rich work possible. Much appreciation and gratitude for the solidarity and belief that allows the Family Resource Centre to thrive and flourish.

Thanks to all of those who donated and also those who fund the work who make this possible.

 “The Arts, quite simply nourish the soul. They sustain, comfort, inspire. There is nothing like that exquisite moment when you first discover the beauty of connecting with others in celebration of larger ideals and shared wisdom”.

Gordan Gee    

 Rita Fagan

Manager

Family Resource Centre

January - June 2021

Having left behind the challenging, harsh Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020, little did we know that the month of January would bring thousands per day being infected by Covid, and within one month, one thousand lives lost. It was truly an overwhelming and frightening time. We on the frontline of Community Development had to consider our actions with care. As an Organisation, working with those most vulnerable, it was not our choice to have all of our staff working from home, but we had to adhere to our own and governmental restrictions and policies at level five. In January, we focussed our efforts in relation to social isolation and connection for our senior citizens and those with chronic health problems. We collected their medicines, paid their bills, did their shopping, rang them, gave them time, stayed connected with them with the hope of keeping fear and depression at bay.

We, the Family Resource Centre were present to assist families in distress. It was hard to start the year again on an uphill climb, but this wasn’t new to us. Through the Safe Ireland Covid-19 Emergency Fund, we were enabled to give support to families at real risk. For those living poverty or structural violence, lockdowns meant increased costs. Schools closed led to adults and children in the home together all day equalled large bills, in safe and non-safe homes. We used the fund to ensure heating and lights were kept on, nutritious, healthy food was bought and delivered and household goods and washing powder was bought. We made sure basic needs were met. The Department of Social Protection also allowed their School Meals Programme funding to be spent on healthy food for children attending our After-schools Programme. We delivered food to the homes of our children on our books. We were certainly kept going, our staff adapted in a time of crisis and we carried out a lot of our meetings and compliance through Zoom, which was more challenging for some than others!

February came, and the waves of emotion and shock continued to impact as the numbers infected with the virus and the deaths kept climbing. The spirit and energies of all the communities we serve were very low. Those living in the flat complexes, with small balconies, no gardens and overcrowding conditions did the best they could to keep their families safe from the virus. With steady effort and commitment, we as a full team in Community Development, Childcare and Violence Against Women worked to meet the needs, give reassurance and also release energy to lift the spirits.

The Community Development Team focussed on Valentine’s Day, using the moment for face to face work with our senior citizens. We made up Valentines goody bags with chocolate, roses, hearts and cards. We went knocking on over eighty doors, chatting with them and delivering the heart based message for Valentine’s Day celebrations. It brought a beam of light to those struggling through fear and isolation and lack of hope.

Jan - June 2020 Newsletter

Newsletter

  January – September 2020

We hope you all have survived the worst days and will continue to journey with us.

We all began 2020 without knowing what lay ahead. On January 06th as we put the key in the door of the main FRC office in 72 Tyrone Place, we were met with the most awful sight, sewerage, which had been building up all over the Christmas period from the homes above us flowed out into our office like it was a river on its was to the sea! Not to upset your senses too much, but it was bucket loads! Needless to say, everything was totally destroyed and all of our New Year energy and spirit took a big hit. It wasn’t the best gift or omen for 2020, but we the Family Resource Centre St. Michaels Estate has grown a deep resilience from all the challenges we have had to face down through the 35 years history of this project. Nothing is new to us. Frontline Maintenance workers from Dublin City Council and ourselves did the physical and literal stinking work of clearing out heavy sewerage and reinventing no. 72. Dublin City Council and Dublin South City Partnership helped us to replace the totally destroyed furniture and all the soft furnishings. We very much appreciated that very practical support. That is the very essence of our commitment to this community because many Projects would have closed their doors and walked at such a challenge. We stayed put and continue to walk the sometimes very difficult walk.

Programmes:

Health Initiative

Alongside the above challenges, our Community Development Team continued to develop and set up their 2020 educational and social programmes. The successful Canal Communities Health Initiative led by the Family Resource Centre Family Support Worker in collaboration with Dublin City Council’s Sports and Leisure Team. The Tuesday morning Programme took place at the St. Michaels Community Centre and for the first term focussed on the Dublin City Council Canal Communities Rugby Tournament. Each Tuesday the women were coached by a Leinster Rugby coach leading up to the tournament. The vast majority of them having never picked up a rugby ball in their lives. They named their team the Pick ‘n’ Mix. After eight weeks training, the tag rugby blitz took place in Bluebell on 28th of February. Six teams took part from the canal communities – the luck was not on our side, but the fun on the evening and the overall experience of participating in the games was lifegiving. Following the restrictions, our Health Initiative Group started doing their sessions online which was provided by DCC’s Sports and Leisure Team. Then in May and June we provided the sessions outdoors. This was funded by the Community Foundation’s Covid-19 Small Grant. The Participants really kept this initiative going and we creatively responded to the restrictions.

Music Town 

In collaboration with local arts agency; Common Ground, some of our women were invited to be part of the REPUBLIC OF SOUND, an Arts Programme since 2019. Its aim was to unite, motivate, inspire and respond to the local neighbourhood’s social and cultural heritage. Musicians Maeve and Colm O’Hara and Alex Petcu Colan worked with 3rd class pupils from Our Lady of Lourdes NS Inchicore, the James Band and the Family Resource Centre women. This culminated to a beautiful piece of music which was recorded in Goldenbridge Graveyard. See link: http://www.musictown.ie/event/republic-of-sound/    

Women’s Programmes

We work with a lot of women in all kinds of ways. Our Tuesday afternoon group supports women coming out of domestic violence, some who have polydrug use abuse and some who have mental health issues. This group is organised and supported by our Drugs Task Force Tenant Participation worker. The women have become a really strong group and really support each other outside of the group. Last year, these women completed an arts course around Women in Irish Society and how they achieved the vote.   

In January, as this was the General Election year it was important to raise awareness of the responsibility to exercise the right to vote. When disadvantaged communities don’t vote, they have no right to complain. Democracy and voting matters. With this in view,  we organised a voter registration drive and this was hosted in St. Michael’s Community Centre with the support of a community garda from Kilmainham Garda station.  In the hour and a half twenty-five people registered for the first time. Voter education workshops were also held with two of our women’s groups.

We also have a younger women’s group which is a collaboration between a worker from Frontline / Kavanagh House Local Drugs Team and our Family Support Worker. They identified an isolated group of young mothers with needs and most of whom have issues around polydrug use and addictions. They are doing a Local Education and Wellbeing course. All of these groups ran throughout January, February and March until the lockdown hit.

 International Women’s Day

We were very fortunate to have organised our Citywide International Women’s Day event at the Teachers Club Parnell Square in early March. This event was funded by the Dublin South City Partnership SICAP Community Fund along with private donations. It’s theme was famous women, we had music, songs, dancing and food. We had 150 women from Inchicore, Drimnagh, Bluebell, the Liberties, Charlemont Street and the North Inner City. Our guest speaker on the night was leader of Sinn Fein Mary Lou McDonald and low and behold she brought along her Northern First Minister colleague Michelle O’Neill and grassroots Trade Unionist Louise O’Reilly. We had been told that Mary Lou could not attend so we were really pleased to have her there. She spoke of the struggle of women, particularly working class women, traveller women and new community women. The working class women of Dublin really embraced these three women with open, warm arms. We also had the support of Dublin Bus who took the women from Inchicore to the Teachers Club and back. Alan and his section who run the Community Bus are an excellent team. Our singer and DJ did a magnificent job. Our photographer; Tracy O’Brien also did an amazing job. We believe in capturing the moment and documenting our work and history.

 As part of International Women’s Day 2020, the Family Resource Centre Manager was asked by Artistic Liberties to participate in her capacity of a long-time Community Activist from the Liberties, along with 5 other local women in a street photographic exhibition of iconic women. This was shown on Newmarket Square. At the same time, she was approached by the new local Whiskey Distillery; Roe & Co about their Mná Meath Street Project about creating a mural on Meath Street to honour her mother Madge Fagan’s lifelong commitment to the issues of Local Authority Tenants both in the Liberties and at a National level through her voluntary work with the National Association of Tenants Organisations (NATO). This was a great honour for both of this Working Class women activists.         

Men’s Programme

On Monday mornings, our Men’s Group continued to gather for their Development group with our SICAP Community Development worker. These men are of low income, some have disabilities, others have addictions and some of them need more help than others. What is convincing about this group is their understanding of each other’s struggles and their visible support as they embrace each other around their worries, losses and addictions. They truly keep each other going mentally before Covid ever hit and now through this period of uncertainty they really mind one another. Tuesday is their Men’s Shed, this is a very collective space as the men are in control and they really treat it as their work space with very successful outcomes. They work with a Tutor from the City of Dublin Education and Tutor Board who guides them to build bikes, mend lawn mowers and power tools, mechanics and machines are their forte. They really thrive in this space and it is really positive work for them. The Men’s Shed was successful this year, with the support of our worker in getting a grant to purchase a 10ft container that can hold and house all their tools etc. The local primary school Our Lady of Lourdes has very generously  allowed the men to use their land for this container. The Core Youth Service has worked closely with the FRC in providing a vital space for the men to work in their shed which is based just outside the Youth Service. This work is simple but the routine it gives to the men’s lives is what allows them to battle mental health, addictions, isolation and the need for social connection adding to their wellbeing. This is vital, preventative work.

Senior Citizens

Funded by DSCP SICAP Community Fund and supported by its Development Worker and the FRC Community Development Worker from January to March, we continued to provide a breakfast and social morning to our Seniors, two of whom are over 90. This was their outlet and they were hugely affected by Covid-19. They all had to cocoon and isolate and they became prisoners in their own homes. They became depressed and we had to keep contacting them through the phone to check in with them and their needs. We were the frontline staff and were extremely concerned for their wellbeing. We had to adapt to their needs. We became their shoppers for their food, essential items and medicines. Through the support of a small grant from the Community Foundation we were enabled to provide 10 weeks of socially distanced chair aerobics out in the courtyard of their own small complex of Bulfin Court. Dublin City Councils Sports and Leisure Team helped us along with the Bulfin Court Dinner Hall. We provided tea and cake or jelly and ice cream each week after their exercise. This really kept our seniors connected. It kept them physically and emotionally agile. It was lifegiving and life keeping.

Inchicore Domestic Violence Outreach

Our Inchicore Domestic Violence Outreach Centre continued to provide its direct service to women experiencing abuse every day. Our numbers this year are very high from January to September. Safe Ireland heard what we had to say on a National phone call with the Tusla Director about the structural violence of poverty. They gave us a decent Covid-19 grant. Every cent was spent on food and essential needs of distressed families. It was really lifegiving, particularly for those who were poor in the pandemic. We went to one home where the abuser had literally put his foot through the middle of a hard wood door. The woman was extremely frightened. There was truly nothing in her home and she had a new baby of one month. This Safe Ireland Fund allowed us to help very vulnerable families at real risk to survive. The spaces we entered were stark spaces of those just existing. Our Outreach Team worked very hard during this period and continue to be very busy. We worked closely with both Kilmainham and Kevin Street Garda Stations around the issues of Safety and Security of women. This Service is funded through Tusla Domestic and Gender Based Violence and the Canal Communities Drugs and Alcohol Task Force. This is a completely free service and can be accessed through 014533938 and their Facebook page. ‘You Don’t Need A Bruise To Be Abused’.   

 Childcare Centre

Our beautiful, purpose built Childcare Centre Thornton Heights which houses our Early Years’ Service and Afterschool Programme worked with up to sixty disadvantaged children from January through to March 12th when we were instructed to close the doors. This came as a total shock and the children were the ones who lost out, we believe they were left behind. In the between months of Covid-19, we had to do a deep clean and a full paint of the whole building. The staff upskilled and also completed Covid-19 training and updated their policies to reflect their new procedures regarding the Virus. The Childcare Centre reopened on the 29th June as per Pobal Instruction after implementing all safety procedures for the building.. Our Afterschool worked with small groups of children bringing them on outings to Malahide Castle and Newbridge House and Farm. A small group was also brought to the fantastic Cavan Activity Centre for an overnight away from their harsh surroundings. The Afterschool did a lot of preparation for the children returning to school in September. We would like to acknowledge all of our Childcare Staff on their trojan efforts during this time and ensuring we could get the children back into their daily systems and education.    

Easter

Easter came and through the kind support of the Dublin South City Partnership and a friend of the Family Resource Centre’s donation, we developed and printed an Easter Card and delivered well over 500 Easter Eggs to every household in our Local Authority complexes of Lower Inchicore. This really lifted the spirits of the community

May Day

For May Day celebrations, we organised a Tea Party in the Senior Citizen complex to give an outlet for them and a break from their social isolation through the restrictions. It was also a chance to salute the frontline workers who care for them daily; the home helps, Primary Care Nurses, Doctors, Hospital workers, Dublin City Council workers, the HSE funded Dinner Hall workers, the community workers. DCC helped us build the May Pole. With funding from the SICAP Programme we were enabled to provide and deliver; American Soda and strawberries and ice-cream to every unit in the complex. We played music so they could sit in their windows and enjoy while staying safe. It was very simple but inspiring, they had fun. We also wanted to recognise the importance of the day with a thank you to the Unions who always support us.

Covid-19

Covid-19 continued to spread through the weeks and sadly we lost two of our seniors who had moved from the complex into Hollybrook Nursing Home, they died with Corona Virus, not of it. Phylis was one of the longest tenants from the old St. Michaels Estate. She took no prisoners. During these hard weeks we lost a number of middle aged people from various illnesses; cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Our role was to help the families organise their loved ones funerals within the community. We made sure they got the farewell they deserved as they couldn’t have a normal one due to the restrictions. The cycle of life, we as a project work, as we always say; From the Cradle to the Grave. May they all rest in peace.

Regeneration

The Regeneration Team continued to meet from January to March. Two planning meetings took place  .  Once Covid-19 hit, the meetings took place weekly through Zoom. The Regeneration Team produced their own submission and presented this in early July to the new Design Team architects Bucholz McEvoy for consideration given that they have the brief develop the site. We also conducted a study visit in late July with the Design Team to explore and learn from the most recent developments in the Canals area Herberton and Dolphin House in Rialto. In July information was distributed to 300 households to update them on progress in relation to the new development. The regeneration worker also attended three Inchicore Regeneration Consultative Forum meetings a day long planning workshop in January and one study visit around Lower Inchicore with the Design Team and members of the multi-disciplinary team. Phase 1 of the community consultation for the former St. Michael’s Estate site is currently taking place between September 15th and 5th October and we would invite you to have your say by completing this online survey on line at https://surveys.connectthedots.ie/emmet-road/ or pick fill out a hard copy at Richmond Barracks.

 Evictions – Emmet Manor   

Emmet Manor has been an ongoing situation in regards to Termination Notices for the past two years. The complex has thirty-two units, this is sub-standard accommodation with some tenants private renting and other tenants receiving the support of HAP.  The Family Resource Centre have been supporting the tenants in the hope of securing proper homes and accommodation for these families.  The landlord Carnivan Bay had the intention of renovating the apartments and letting out as Air B&B.  However, due to Covid-19 this is not now an option.  There has been a turn around and the landlord are now offering those remaining families receiving HAP a renovated apartments at the current homeless Hap rate. The Family Resource Centre on behalf of the tenants  are currently in discussions with Dublin City Council and the Landlord to get the best, most favourable outcomes for all involved, this work is supported by the Dublin South City Partnership SICAP Programme. These tenants were also supported by the Dublin Renters Union, local TD’s & Councillors and DCC Assistant City Manager Brendan Kenny

Canal Communities Anti-Racism Committee

Our worker attended monthly meetings where reports were given to the statutory agencies. Racist incidents in Inchicore were logged on I Report which is an on online reporting system. Members of the committee participated in a training programme entitled ‘Building Intercultural Learning Programme’ and this was suspended because of COVID but will resume in late September. The aim of this programme is to equip workers to understand the challenge facing residents from ‘new communities’ moving into public housing complexes and to support them with same.

Canals Communities Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force

Our Community and Tenants Participation worker attended a Strategic Planning Day in March and monthly meetings and contributed towards the setting up of the Task Force as a limited company which is near completion.  Regular attendance at Community Representatives meeting and the Canals Communities Alcohol Sub-Group. Currently she plays a role on the planning group for Drug Awareness Weeks which are due to taken place from 09th - 13th and 16th – 20th  of November, this year most of the events will take place online due to Covid-19 restriction, more information can be found on: https://ccldatf.wordpress.com/    

Summer Programme

As a Community Development Team Covid-19 meant we had to adapt and change to be in and with the community and deliver our mission in pandemic times. Summer for us at the Family Resource Centre is a time to focus on family and community activities. This year we knew it was going to be difficult and strange. But the Community Development Team were determined and had two goals; to produce a Summer Programme whilst adhering to HSE Safety Guidelines and the collective reach of what we could offer to our communities that would lift their locked in spirits. With the support of the Dublin South City Partnership SICAP Programme and donations from the Unions, Religious Orders and supporters of the Family Resource Centre, we were enabled to provide travelling local roadshow. We purchased a large BBQ that we could wheel around to each community and we also purchased fold up tables and all relevant PPE to deliver all these events. We hired tables, we bought food, we hired a DJ etc.    

Family Events

Joining together with the Core Youth Service, we organised fun events community by community. We had two events in Tyrone Place Flat Complex, consisting of a BBQ, Musical Bingo, the Wheel of Fortune and music and we also had local quizzes. People came out and participated. We did the same in Thornton Heights and Emmet Crescent. The Youth Workers organised games for the young people, while we gave out goody bags and created fun for all involved. They were successful, small healthy days whilst respecting HSE Covid-19 guidelines at all times.

War Years Event

We organised a beautiful Senior Citizen Event; ‘The War Years’, Remembering Vera Lynn. We were allowed to use the back garden of Richmond Barracks. We dressed the garden as if it was a wedding. They sang and some danced at a social distance, it really was a great, successful event. It took them back to resilient times through the music of; the Glen Miller Band, the Andrews Sisters and Vera Lynn.                  

Ladies Day

We organised a Ladies Day, also at Richmond Barracks, but this time, as the weather was bad we were allowed have it in the Great Gym. We had Musical Bingo, singing, food and socially distanced dancing. The gym is big enough to have the tables well-spaced. We dressed the tables up and the women all felt really special on the day, it was such a lovely, spirit lifting event.

 Go For Life Annual Summer Tea Party & Sing A Long

The last event we organised was our Go For Life Annual Summer Tea Party & Sing A Long for our Senior Citizens in Bulfin Court. We organised the tables from the dinner hall and brought them outside and sat them two per table. They enjoyed, tea, coffee, cakes. Sandwiches, music, singing and Dancing. They enjoyed the day immensely and this as well as the other events brought joy to their hearts.

 September 2020

After, what has seemed, an extremely long year so far, we have made it to September and we had finally gotten the Family Resource Centre groups and programmes back in a  careful, safe and phased manor. The seniors, who we split into three groups of six were delighted, the parents of the children grateful and we continued with our outdoors physical exercise. Now, unfortunately the Covid-19 numbers in Dublin are on the rise and we have had to, once again implement restrictions in order to keep our participants safe. We are continuing to practice our outdoor activities and groups, our childcare centre is open and our Outreach Centre is still meeting women in violence.

Last, but by no means least, we sadly lost another two of our very special people. Philomena O’Brien, 91, long-time resident of St. Michaels Estate and Bulfin Court who reared a large family and had a beautiful kind spirit. One of our long-term volunteers and participant Breda Owens was diagnosed with Cancer and lost her struggle with it this month. The loss of her has had a big impact on all of us here in the Family Resource Centre, she faced her illness with courage, grit and perseverance and we were broken by her passing.

Conclusion

A few insights from the Covid-19 months; Although the National mantra was ‘everyone was in it together’, this was not true. Never has our society, class wise, ever been in it together due to inequality, social exclusion and structural poverty. Community Development is an essential structure. It is crucial for collective organising, it is about working with and for people, it is about building relationships, footwork, understanding power relationships and resilience. Through Covid-19 we stayed present for our communities, we did all the above and so much footwork and continue to do so. We were very appreciative of; the Dublin South City Partnership SICAP Programme, Safe Ireland, the Community Foundation, the Unions, Religious Orders ,Tesco and the individual donations which helped us deliver our collective activities, summer programme. These donations  allowed us to ensure families who had nothing did not go hungry and had heating and lights etc. Dublin City Council Sports and Leisure Dept. and DCC  Estate Management were really supportive of our Community Development team. Lockdown opened our eyes to the deeper levels of chronic bad health needs within these small marginalised communities. We lost a number of people, not to Covid-19, they died as a result of poverty and illness such as diabetes, heart issues and cancer. Mental health was deeply impacted and we the Family Resource Centre witnessed it embedded withing our communities. The challenge ahead is to stay safe and stay connected to all within the community and all who matter to us and help us. This is critical Community Development and challenging work in a time of Covid-19. We are all about making a difference and Community Development is a frontline, preventative and vital service who really know the structures on the ground. You can see from the above work we carried out in the height of the pandemic that no-one was left behind, no-one was left hungry on our watch, people were kept safe and nurtured, their worries were lifted and their spirits supported as fear took hold by this invisible virus. Community Development is rooted in the local, it is here where both its strength and importance lie. We plan our work, carry out our work and reflect on our work on an ongoing basis. Community Development must be invested in and supported and viewed as a vital service for the active involvement and participation of citizens to enhance the quality of their lives and their communities.                        

Every Human Being is called to solidarity in a world battling between Life & Death