Flood-relief Volunteers & Community give it all

- while Government criticised

'Changing Ireland' reporter Darragh Clifford-Cronin spoke to volunteers who came to the community's aid after flooding of St Mary's Park, Limerick, and to local residents. Local and central Government's input was less than desired and, this week, residents published a report which was very critical of the official response and forwarded a copy onto An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.

Darragh, a media student with Limerick College of Further Education, was on placement with 'Changing Ireland'. Watch out for his print media reports in our Spring 2013 edition.

Fewer college drop-outs due to CDP

- Project impact on city outlined

Jennifer McMahon of UL officially launched Limerick City CDP's report

Limerick City Community Development Project (LCCDP) launched its annual report for 2012 in June and the report’s statistics underpin positive changes in people’s lives.

For instance, the project dispersed 166 bursaries* to third level students from Moyross, Southill, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Mary’s and St. Munchin’s.

“We know first hand, that due to delays with the (third level) grant system, the provision of funding by the CDP for registration, books and materials was vital for students to take up their places in third level,” said manager Juan Carlos Azzopardi.

The report was launched by the project’s new independent chairperson, Jennifer McMahon from UL.

Robert McNamara, Journalist

Robert McNamara

Robert McNamara from Corbally in Limerick City, has joined Changing Ireland Community Media Ltd on a long-term work placement as a journalist.

He is currently studying a degree in Journalism and New Media with sociology and politics at the University of Limerick as a mature student.

Robert is the current sports editor at An Focal newspaper and maintains a popular indie music blog. He has a keen interest in current affairs, print journalism, publication design, old and new media.

Robert competes in long-distance running and can often be seen hobbling around after a marathon.

He hopes to graduate from UL in 2014 and pursue a career in the media industry.

E: journalist@changingireland.ie T: 061-458090.

A London Perspective for Limerick

Michael Pyner

Michael Pyner established the Shoreditch Trust in Hackney, London, in 2000 and since then it has become a multi award-winning community investment and regeneration agency.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MOST POPULAR IN GALWAY - Google "Fact"

Is Community Development on the slippery slope in Ireland today?

It appears there is most interest in "community development" in Galway, with Cork and Limerick following next, followed oddly by the capital Dublin.

However, if 'Google Analytics' is any kind of reliable guide (and we're not saying it is) the relative slide in Irish interest in the concept of community development may be a cause for concern.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

According to Google's chart here people are not looking it up online as much as before

Visit us in Moyross, Limerick!

Visit 'Changing Ireland'! Call the editor on 061-458011.
Our precise location in Sarsfield Gardens Business Centre, Sarsfield Gardens, Moyross, Limerick, is pinned here on Google maps.
GPS co-ordinates: 52.68342,-8.643896.

Find Thomond Park and you're alongside Moyross.

WIN OVER 'HARD-TO-REACH' PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY!

If you're a community worker wrecking your head over how to get people involved in activities, check out page 13 of the latest issue as well as the following:

[ED'S NOTE - THIS REPORT HERE IS ADDITIONAL TO THE COVERAGE IN OUR LATEST PRINT EDITION ABOUT A PILOT PROJECT FOR PARENTS IN LIMERICK].

A “youth club for grown-ups”

- a volunteer/participant view

Helen Ring is a local parent and community volunteer with the Time Out Club in Our Lady of Lourdes/Weston, a successful pilot scheme that that could be copied by any community (there’s a template available).

She told 'Changing Ireland':

- The group named the project themselves.

- They decide at the beginning what activities they’d like to do.

- The age-range is from 20-57 and the door is open to anyone.

- It really develops your confidence.

- It’s the only new group to form in recent times in our community.

- The participants don’t pay for anything.

“There are 17 in the group now and we find it great, relaxing, a way of getting out of the house," said Helen. "It’s especially important now with the recession to get a break, it’s time out for ourselves and it’s whatever we want to do that counts.”

“Everything we do now is a one-off and we’re always trying something new, every week – anything from hairdressing lessons to canvas printing to guest-talks - it’s a youth club for grown ups,” said Helen.

One of the more unusual things the women learned how to do was to make small rocking-chairs for children.

They’ve also had a child-expert in to run a course called ‘Cool Talking’ which has done wonders for relations between mothers and their teenagers: “I’ve two teenage girls and an 11-year-old son and an older son who’s getting married soon.

“Now I’ve learned to listen and talk rather than going in screaming! One woman says her son has become tidier because of her doing that course and we’ve all become better listeners. I’d recommend this course even for young parents.”

“Every community should have a time-out club for its women. Just try it!”

Helen does so much volunteering that her neighbours think she’s got a paid job. An example of one small thing she does is every Tuesday she sends out a reminder text to parents about the Time Out Club. Small things matter!

See further coverage on page 13 of our Spring 2011 issue (click here!).

CAPTION: Time Out Club members.

Limerick CDPs' alternative model - details published here

CDPs across the country are currently integrating into the Local and Community Development Programme and some have sought to win approval for an alternative structure that better suits their communitys' needs.

The Limerick model for setting up a Citywide CDP, as looked on favourably by the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs is now available online (click here). The document gives details of the proposed new voluntary management structure and may be of interest to projects in other parts of the country considering their options.

The Limerick model proposes “that instead of ‘integrating’ Partnerships and CDP’s in Limerick city, CDPs are amalgamated into one “City CDP” thus retaining local voluntary involvement with real responsibility and a continued say in decisions affecting their community.”

Limerick CDPs are aiming to “ensure that the LCDP is delivered as effectively and efficiently as possible with the maximum participation and buy in from volunteers engaged over the years on CDP management committees.”

In Cork, CDPs have developed another alternative in co-operation with the HSE, while Women’s CDPs and Traveller CDPs are also understood to be at advanced stages in working out with the Department how a different model could work for their CDPs and their communities’ needs.

In most parts of the country, CDPs are being absorbed into Local Development Companies (aka Partnerships) and many if not most of them are likely to close down as companies.

An alternative model proposed by Donegal CDP’s was not accepted by the Department.

The Department have been clear that they want savings made in the areas of staff, HR, audit, administration and legal bills.