Take one; leave one!

- Republic’s biggest book exchange is in Ballymun, probably!

Ballymun Whitehall book exchange

On the first Thursday of every month, over 250 people file through the Ballymun Civic Centre as the monthly Book Exchange takes place, organised by Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership (BWAP).

It might even be the biggest book exchange in the country – Rosemary Kinehan of BWAP can’t say for sure.

“It may be - there’s no central record of this,” said Ms Kinehan.

Yet it cost nothing to set up. Soon after it started, schoolteachers noticed an improvement in pupils’ reading ability, said Ms Kinehan.

The Book Exchange began life as one of the Partnership’s activities for AONTAS Adult Learners Festival in February 2009 and grew from there. 

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.

Healthy eating course spreads across Dublin

A course in Clondalkin, that is that is also delivered in six other by other communities in Dublin, is teaching people to cook for themselves at a time when the diets of disadvantaged groups are disimproving.

The breakfast roll, now part of male Ireland's dietary landscape

“It's a peer led programme where local people are trained to run the course" said Liz Griffin, project co-ordinator of ‘Healthy Food Made Easy’ "it takes people back-to-basics”. "It takes people back to basics and is fun and practical". 

'My trade unionist Dad set me on social justice path'

WORKING IN THE LCDP 

Declan Dunne giving a talk last year on health awareness. Photo courtesy of New Communities Partnership.

- INTERVIEW WITH DECLAN DUNNE, BALLYMUN

BY ALAN JACQUES

Declan Dunne is the CEO of Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership* since 2003 and he worked for 3 years before that in economic development in Clondalkin/CPLN. Some years earlier, he employed 157 people in the private sector.

What are you reading at the moment?

Lots of junk fiction! Also it may sound pretentious but the Harvard Business Review is accessible, concise and practical.
Person you most admire?

Sylda Langford who was, until recently, the Director of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. She left a hugely positive legacy for children and families. Gordon Jeyes the HSE National Director for Children and Family Services is very inspiring. He is quoted as saying that one way to boost efficiency is to use services to put more emphasis on personal responsibility, with the onus on communities to solve problems at local level.

New UL course covers social regeneration

UL has launched a new sociology masters course focused uniquely for Ireland on ‘Youth, Community and Social Regeneration’.

Employment paths include youth and community work, research careers, policy development, and professional engagement in social regeneration.

A decade ago, UL had limited connections with disadvantaged communities in its host city, but there has been a big turnaround in recent years, particularly for instance by the sociology department and the media school.

The new MA aims to equip students with the skills to engage with issues relating to young people in the national and international context of community regeneration.

It offers “a critical forum where the complexities of social regeneration can be addressed.”

In launching the course, UL is building on its developing expertise in the areas of inequality and social exclusion, the welfare state, social change, youth and community and social regeneration.

The course can be done at higher diploma or masters level - depending on whether or not you’re up for the final 15,000 word dissertation!

Since the start of this year, an application fee applies to all postgraduate programmes.

For more info, email: martin.j.power@ul.ie or Cliona.Barnes@ul.ie

W: ul.ie/​sociology/​