Town’s spirit rises as volunteers show up with tea and chocs

Working on a shoestring budget, sustained by tea bags, mars bars and a good sense of humour, Borrisokane Community Forum is doing what was done by paid local community workers until recently.

“Volunteers in Borrisokane are showing that a huge amount can be achieved by local people working together,” said forum chairperson Miriam Lewis and fellow-volunteer Catriona Lennon.

“But such volunteer effort is not a limitless resource. There needs to be more hands on support for initiatives such as ours. The State can’t just pull the plug on community development in local communities.”

“The €1,346.20 spent by the Taoiseach’s Department on tea and coffee in one month would finance this hard working group for at least 3 or 4 months” said Miriam.

- In the absence of a full time community worker, volunteers in Borrisokane are doing it for themselves

You’re never too old

Helen Callan

By Helen Callan

From Townspark, Navan, Co. Meath, Helen Callan, who is now in her 50s, volunteers with young people at risk of drug addiction. She was 40 when she returned to school and she wrote this article “to encourage some of your readers to bite the bullet themselves”. It’s most apt as we celebrate the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations:

Offaly makes a start - as 5 people get a start

BY ROBERT MCNAMARA

A programme supporting those at risk of social exclusion has, in the past few months, helped 55 long-term unemployed people move towards paid employment in Co. Offaly.

Five of the people who last December completed the 16-month programme gained full-time or part-time employment, five more found seasonal work and most of the remainder went onto advanced courses and programmes.

They had all been long-term unemployed.

VOLUNTEERS RESTART 'FAIR DAYS' - for (very) small businesses

HELENA DEANE, business consultant and volunteer, explains the resurrection of the 1990s concept of Open Fair Days and gives some valuable information on how to set one up:

 

The Open Fairs idea from 20 years ago is being revitalised and broadened as a counterbalance to the current recession. This year, fairs were held in Clare and Mayo. Further Fairs are planned for 2012 in counties Roscommon, Kerry, Kilkenny, Dublin and Donegal.

 

‘Open’ is shorthand for One Person Enterprise and the aim is for the fairs to evolve into a national movement of free, community-based talent exchanges, organised by volunteers.
  

Haggling in 2011 at an Open Fair Day. The concept is spreading.