Minister launches centre handbook

MINISTER for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald visited the West Clare Family Resource Centre in Kilrush last Friday to mark the centre’s 10th anniversary. While in Kilrush, Minister Fitzgerald launched the centre’s new volunteer handbook. Last Friday also marked National Volunteer Day across the country.
The West Clare Family Resource Centre in Toler Street is a voluntary community organisation for Kilrush and the surrounding area. The centre is funded by the Family Support Agency in the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
The centre’s aim is to help combat disadvantage by improving the functioning of the family unit.
The centre also tries to act as a first step to community participation and social inclusion for the most vulnerable and marginalised families.
Centres build on local neighbourhood solidarity and support mutual care and self-help initiatives. They also build on informal support networks and activities that develop spontaneously at local community level and develop practical links with local schools and professional services.
Kilrush Family Resource Centre serves the community of Kilrush and the surrounding areas by supporting people in enhancing their quality of life through activities that promote social inclusion, sharing of information, training courses, free classes, advocacy for families and encouraging greater community participation.