Free courses on offer at Gort Family and Community Centre

GORT Family and Community Centre this week launched their autumn schedule of events. The centre will provide a selection of free courses for people of all ages from the town and its hinterland over the coming months.
Starting on Thursday, September 15, for two evenings, is a particularly relevant short course especially designed for older people in the community.
“For those who already have completed our Getting Started Programme, or those competent with computers, we are offering a two-evening introduction to Skype called Getting to Grips with Skype for Older People. This allows people to talk to friends and family living far and wide, a more common situation now that emigration figures are rising. We have equipment installed including cameras, which will enable you to see your loved ones and talk to them for free,” explained Annie Rozario, co-ordinator of Gort Family Resource Centre.
Starting on Tuesday, September 13 from 9.30am to midday, Gort FRC will host a 10-week Image Making Course in conjunction with the Galway Arts Centre and artist Ann Maria Healy. Topics will include introduction to artists that use photography, introduction to digital cameras, Photoshop, thinking about perspective, examining images, setting the scene, examining and re-examining, venturing out to take images, the final shoot and culminating in an exhibition of the work created. This course is supported by the Community Education section of the VEC. Places are limited so contact the centre to book a place or find out further information.
Starting on Monday, September 19, a six-week course in massage for people parenting alone takes place from 10am to midday at the centre. Tutor Maureen Bergin will offer information on general effects and benefits of massage, client preparation for massage, self-massage, hands, neck, legs and head, massage on another person and finally toddler and child massage.
From Wednesday, November 9 from 10am to midday, Gort FRC will hold a 10-week course in Parenting Skills for One-Parent Families. A group of people who are parenting alone from Family Resource Centres in Mayo and Galway applied for and were accepted to train with the One Family organisation based in Dublin. 
“One Family works with all types and all members of one-parent families, respecting the realities of family life in Ireland, to affect positive change and achieve equality and social inclusion for all one-parent families in Ireland. Our two local ladies successfully completed the training course, which has equipped them to run a 10-week course in parenting,” Ms Rozario outlined.
Age Action’s Getting Started Programme for Older People in Computing will also take place again this autumn.
“This hugely popular course is a gentle introduction to computers, especially designed for the older person who may be slightly wary of technology. It is given by carefully selected volunteers and lasts eight weeks. Although full at present, we are happy to take details of people who are interested and call them when an available place comes up,” Ms Rozario continued.
“Digital Photography for Older People, if you are interested in a basic introduction on how to use your digital camera and download your images, please let us know. Once we have a group together, we will can announce a starting date,” she added.
Ms Rozario also announced the introduction of a weekly outreach service from the National Advocacy Service. As well as the series of new courses, classes and services, normal activities continue at the centre such as providing information and assistance in a wide variety of areas. 
“We also provide outreach services from Citizens’ Information, the Money and Budgeting Service, employment mediation and we offer a low-cost counselling service. Our mission is to respond to needs and improve the quality of life in the Gort area by promoting local awareness, providing information, developing the community and offering support,” Ms Rozario concluded.
Gort FRC is funded by the Family Support Agency under the National Development Plan 2007 – 2013.
For further information on the centre drop in, email at administrator@gortfrc.com or telephone 091 630902.