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