New premises for family resource centre

THE North-West Clare Family Resource Centre officially opened the doors of its new premises, An Grianán Resource Centre in Ennistymon, on Wednesday. This building is in addition to the existing NWCFRC childcare centre and will provide community space for meetings, training and other services. The building was opened by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald.
“The new premises will be a significant hub for social inclusion, family support and community services in an area severely lacking in such infrastructure,” explained Gary Rush, manager of the NWCFRC.
“It is a resource for the whole of North Clare that will host meetings, training activities, labour market activation services, information provision and be a focus for people to meet, network and organise. Countywide, regional and national organisations will now have a purpose-built base from which to provide their services. Already, there are plans for youth services, vocational training, community education, counselling, labour market activation programmes, services to victims of domestic violence and information provision,” Mr Rush continued.
The NWCFRC has addressed the need for community childcare through its existing centre and operates a range of family supports, including counselling, parenting, information provision and community development projects. The opening of An Grianán Resource Centre will mean there is now a premises to tackle deficits in training, employment and second-chance education in the area.
“We collaborate with the HSE and we are working with other organisations to ensure that a full range of family supports are available for the first time in North Clare, whether through direct provision or referral, including childcare, youth services, counselling, social care and so on,” Mr Rush commented.
“Childcare was the first building block in this alloy, children get the opportunity for appropriate socialisation and parents the opportunity for work, education or respite, as well as ensuring the integration of children with special needs in our community. We have been facilitating close to 150 children at a time in Ennistymon and Lisdoonvarna, ensuring early education and welfare is integrated with the school and health services available to older children. This allows for the early identification and provision for special needs and joined up services to assist parents who face difficult challenges,” he outlined.
“The community development activities assist groups to develop their capacities and develop projects and access other resources. This in turn facilitates the community in taking ownership of the initiative and becoming committed to its success. The staff team devote significant time and advice to local community organisations in order to maximise the work and voluntary base of such groups. Through such collaboration, many significant projects and services have been supported and developed in the area,” Mr Rush added.
“We look forward to welcoming members of the community and local groups to the facility in the coming weeks,” he concluded.
Further information on the NWCFRC is available from 065 071144 or by email on info@northwestclarefrc.ie.