News and Events

March 2012: West Training & Development and HSE host Workshop focusing on revised Children First Guidelines
West Training & Development, working with the HSE, hosted a workshop in Galway that included a briefing on the revised Children First guidelines that were launched in 2011. The workshop explored the implications for the work of Family Resource Centres that arise from the amendments to the guidelines.

Those present also received presentations from the Social Work Department of the HSE and participated in a discussion concerning emerging structures within the HSE.

For more information, please contact Mary Seale.

March 2011: 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day
International Women's Day (8th March) is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday.

For more information on International Women's Day click here.

March 2011: Latest Edition of Changing Ireland focuses on Community Development post Election 2011
Issue 35 of Changing Ireland includes a feature on Fine Gael's plans for community development and communities.

Download the latest issue of Changing Ireland here.

 
January 2011: Equality and Rights Alliance launch their 'Make Your Mark'campaign
Equality & Rights Alliance (ERA) is a coalition of 145 civil society groups and activists (NGOs, trade unions, academics and individual activists) working together to protect and strengthen the statutory equality and human rights infrastructure.

For more information on the pre-election campaign please click here.

 
January 2011: FRCs participate in European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (24-30 January 2010)
The Prevention Week is organised by the European Cervical Cancer Association (ECCA) and events will be taking place all over Europe to raise awareness about the disease.

CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme and The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) have come together to promote the week and to ensure that Irish women become better informed about cervical cancer. Family Resource Centres are planning their part by hosting cervical cancer awareness exhibitions and distributing Pearl of Wisdom badges and information leaflets to raise awareness about how cervical cancer can be prevented.

Shirley Moyles from Ballina Family Resource Centre said “we are encouraging women to drop into their local Family Resource Centre to pick up a pearl of wisdom and an information leaflet about cervical screening”.

Download the press release issued by the FRCs here.

December 2010: December 10th is United Nations Human Rights Day
Human rights defenders acting against discrimination, often in the face of great personal risk to both themselves and their families, are being recognized and acclaimed on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2010.

“On Human Rights Day 2010 we are declaring our solidarity with, and our admiration for, people of conscience: the men and women, young and old, of all nationalities and from endlessly diverse backgrounds who stand their ground and speak up for human rights.” (Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights)

Click here.to find out more about the UN Human Rights Day.

 
November 2010: EU Survey of Income and Living Conditions Report, 2009, published.
The EU-SILC Report for 2009 has been published. The report states that levels of consistent poverty rose from 4.2% in 2008 to 5.5% in 2009. Particular increases were noted for children under 17 years, households headed by an unemployed person, those in rented accommodation and for students amongst others.

Download the full EU-SILC 2009 Report here.

 
November 2010: West Training & Development recognises 16 Days of Action on Violence Against Women
West Training & Development took part in the National Balloon Action on Thursday the 25th November. The National Balloon Action is a symbol of nationwide solidarity to highlight the levels of domestic violence against women in Ireland and also marks the UN Day Opposing Violence against Women.

In the office, we have attached white ribbons to a ‘tree of remembrance’ and displayed facts about the level of domestic violence in Ireland.

For more information on the One in Five 16 Days of Action, please see: www.womensaid.ie.

 
Photos by Clare Lymer, Sweet Pea Photography.
 
November 2010: INOU Regional Discussion Fora
Regional Discussion Fora hosted, free of charge, by the INOU will take place in the Abbey Suite, Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary on Tuesday 16th November 2010 and the Abbey Hotel, Donegal on Tuesday, 23rd November 2010. Registration will take place for both meetings from 10.10am with tea / coffee available. Both meetings will start at 10.30am and finish with lunch at 1pm approx.
 
The meetings are a key aspect of the work of the INOU and are aimed at front-line Information Officers and those with an interest in information and policy issues. The meeting will feature presentations and discussion on the INOU Pre Budget Submission including people’s fears and concerns, access to Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments and issues in moving from Jobseeker’s Benefit to Jobseeker’s Allowance. We are eager to hear from people attending the meetings about the issues that they are facing and we would be delighted if you and/or others were able to attend.
 
Download an Agenda for the Tipperary forum here.
Download a Booking Form for the Tipperary forum here.
Download an Agenda for the Donegal forum here.
Download a Booking Form for the Donegal forum here.

 
Please return Booking Forms to: development@inou.ie

 
November 2010: Newly Established FRC in Galway employs Coordinator
The ARD FRC Voluntary Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Mr. Paul Frecklington to the position of FRC Coordinator.
 
ARD Family Resource Centre is a newly established FRC located on the Eastern boundary of Galway City. The Voluntary Board of Directors comprises people living in the Ardaun, Roscam and Doughiska areas of the city.
 
These areas have experienced rapid development in recent years. Since 2000, the combined population of these communities has grown from approximately 200 people to over 7,000 people. Plans for this area include further development of the Ardaun area which would bring the population to over 20,000 people.
 
An application to the Family Support Agency for inclusion of this area in the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme was approved in 2008. Since this time West Training & Development has been working with communities in the area to establish ARD Family Resource Centre.
 
Paul is temporarily based in the offices of West Training & Development While renovations to the ARD FRC building are being completed.
 
October 2010: Older Women’s Network (OWN) Ireland Invite you to attend a meeting

 

The Older Women’s Network (OWN) Ireland invite older women to attend a meeting on Monday the 4th October in Peacockes Hotel, Maam Cross, 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. or on Tuesday the 5th October in the Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, 10.30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
 
At each meeting, there will be an opening speech by Pat O’Flynn, Chairperson OWN Ireland followed by a panel discussion with OWN members Teresa Brady, Monica Murphy and Ruth Stenson on ‘Why we joined OWN. What being a member of OWN means to us?’.
 
After the panel discussion, there will be an opportunity for those attending the meeting to voice their opinions on a particular topic of their choice. These topics are (a) What is really meant by ‘Healthy Ageing’? (b) How do we want to be treated as we age? (c) Adapting to changing roles within the family and (d) Transport: getting out and about. We would ask you to kindly think about which topic you would like to discuss and to register for this topic on arrival at the meeting.
 
The meeting will close with a speech by Christine O’Kelly, OWN Development Officer on ‘Developing the Older Women’s Network in Galway: Plans for the Future’.
 
Complimentary tea/coffee and biscuits will be served at each meeting.
 
Please R.S.V.P by Friday, October 1st to Elaine Cosgrove, West Training & Development, Tel: 091 567 827 or at email: elaine.cosgrove@westtraining.ie
 

 
October 2010: October 1st is the United Nations International Day of Older Persons

 
‘Towards a Society for All Ages’
 
October 1st is the UN International Day of Older Persons. This year’s theme is: “Older persons and the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals”
 
‘The United Nations together with communities around the world will commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP). The IDOP will build on significant UN milestones that acknowledge older persons as an increasingly major segment of society and continue the dialogue on the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the United Nations UN Principles for Older Persons.
 
Governments and the UN affirmed their collective responsibility to uphold the principles of human dignity, equality, and equity in the form of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which will be evaluated in 2010. The 2010 IDOP will examine progress towards achieving the MDGs from the perspective of empowerment of older persons, giving attention to their inclusion, their participation in society and promotion of a positive image of ageing.’
 
You can find out more information on the UN Programme on Ageing here.
 
October 2010: National Day of Volunteering will take place on Friday, 1st of October

 
The aim of the National Day of Volunteering is to encourage everyone in Ireland to give volunteering a go, to show that – even if it’s only for a minute, an hour, a day – volunteering can make a big difference and be a lot of fun!
 
There are lots of ways you can get involved: you can register to take part in a project already happening, register a project yourself, commit a ’random act of volunteering’ or simply take the opportunity to thank a volunteer. You’ll find a host of helpful guides and tools to help you on our website or you can contact us with any queries too.
 
Why get involved? Because volunteering is good for you! Volunteering has a proven positive impact on volunteers, those they volunteer with and society in general. Together, we can build stronger neighbourhoods, stronger communities, a stronger Ireland!
 
For more information, please click here.
 
July 2010: West Training & Development honoured at launch of AMACH! LGBT Galway

 

Senator David Norris officially launched AMACH! LGBT Galway Ltd. in the Galway City Museum. During the launch a presentation was made to Breda Lymer and Noel Schofield of West Training & Development in recognition of their contribution to the establishment of the AMACH! group.
 
February 2010: UNESCO Chair Launches Child Protection Policies and Procedures in West Training & Development

 

Family Resource Centres in Galway and Mayo, in association with West Training & Development, have launched their newly developed Child Protection Policy.
 
The policy lays out best practice guidelines and promotes common standards, policies and procedures in relation to child protection across Family Resource Centres in the West Region. This is in line with national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children.
 
Speaking at the launch of the document, Jim O’Brien, Chairperson of West Training & Development, said that “volunteers are shying away from working with children in their local communities and policies such as this provide a template of how issues should be approached if or when they arise. This policy provides protection for children but also provides protection and direction for volunteers that work directly with children".
 
The document was formally launched by Professor Pat Dolan, Chairholder, UNESCO Chair for Children, Youth & Civic Engagement and Director of the Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway. Eoghan Murphy, Co-ordinator of Westport Family Resource Centre speaking on behalf of Family Resource Centres thanked all the Family Resource Centres that were involved in developing the document as well as Brid Burke and Sandra Claxton from the HSE and West Training & Development.
 

 
Feb 2010: West Training & Development Staff qualify as facilitators of Age and Opportunity's Ageing with Confidence Programme

 

Pictured: Breda Lymer and Mary Seale of West Training & Development with John Hynes, Director of Age & Opportunity, and Áine Brady T.D., Minister for Older People.
 
Breda Lymer and Mary Seale have graduated as facilitators of the Ageing with Confidence programme. Breda and Mary took part in the training course which was organised by Age & Opportunity through the Galway City Partnership, Galway Rural Development and the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology at NUI, Galway.
 
Speaking at the presentation of Certificates Áine Brady TD, Minister for Older People said, ‘Age & Opportunity is a wonderful example of how the valuable partnership among the public, private and voluntary sectors, continues to make a vital difference to supporting older people’s lives.”
 
“There was huge interest in this training which was very encouraging and the level of experience of each successful candidate was very high. I hope this will lead to greater collaboration and strategic partnerships in the region,” said Ciarán McKinney, Director of Operations at Age & Opportunity.
 
Speaking on behalf of the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, Áine Ní Léime said that “Ageing with Confidence is a unique psycho-educational programme designed for older people in the community. We now have a group of highly-skilled and motivated facilitators specifically trained to deliver the programme in Galway”.
 
“The training was delivered in a highly professional manner and certainly challenged my thinking about and ways of working with older people. It was interesting and informative but, more than this, it was practical and applicable. For these reasons it will be a real help to me in my work with older people in the West of Ireland.” said Breda Lymer, West Training & Development Ltd.
 
Proving that it’s never too late to gain new skills and insights, older people who have taken part in Ageing with Confidence have found it brings real benefits. ‘When you get older you think you’re finished. But that’s not the case. I’m much more active now. I’m more open and more inclined to help other people,’ said one participant in Longford.
 
Ageing with Confidence has been running successfully since 2001. Now available in nine counties, it is a holistic approach to health promotion for older people. It builds self confidence by providing information on physical, psychological and social aspects of growing older and also challenges the myths and stereotypes that lead to ageism.
 
For more information contact Breda Lymer and Mary Seale.

 
December 2009: Code of Practice developed by FRCs and CDPs in the West is Rolled Out Nationally

 
A Code of Practice, developed by the Network of FRCs, CDPs and RSA Supporting LGBT Communities in the West, that outlines how community development organisations can frame their support for LGBT people has been launched as a national resource by Minister John Curran T.D. of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
 
300 state-supported community development organisations throughout the country are being encouraged to focus on building and supporting LGBT communities, through adopting the Code of Practice.
 
Speaking at the launch of the Code Minister John Curran T.D. paid tribute to the FRCs, CDPs and to West Training & Development for their role in developing the Code. The Minister went on to say that “society must provide the environment where an individual is given the opportunity and encouragement to reach his or her full potential. This Code of Practice will go a long way towards helping to foster that environment”.
 
Also speaking at the national launch, Davin Roche, Director of Community Development with GLEN, said that “it is critical that LGBT people are supported by their families and by their communities. LGBT people need strong community development and family support organisations which are led by local people and which have the resources to support all those in their communities who need support or who are experiencing social exclusion, including those members who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.”