The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
THE Shannon Family Resource Centre (Shannon FRC) is now offering a discreet family-support service and has secured additional funding for one to one counselling for children and adults which is being delivered free of charge.
The new Shannon FRC website showcases this and other positive mental health services and resources which are available in the Shannon area.
“Child and adolescent counselling services have seen a big increase in demand since the pandemic began,” says Colette Bradley, co-ordinator of Shannon FRC.
Like many other organisations, Shannon FRC, based in the Rineanna View Community Building, has been learning to adapt to new ways of supporting the people of the town and surrounding communities as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It’s three-person staff team has witnessed first hand the significant challenges that a lot of families are trying to cope with on a day to day basis during this pandemic – poverty, mental health issues, along with grief and loss, which are weighing heavily on many people. “The lack of face to face contact with clients due to Covid-19 is a significant barrier in reaching out to people, as this is a key part of building supportive relationships to understand and help them to meet their needs,” said Cathal Dillon, Family Support Worker.
However the FRC has been finding new ways of reaching out to the community, including providing an ‘online support service for parents‘ facilitated by a professional counsellor. This is open to anyone in the Shannon area finding things difficult, if they just want to talk or ask for some advice or even just to vent. To avail of it, members of the public just have to phone Sylvie on 085 8289955 Monday to Friday and she can arrange a call back at a time that suits the individual.
Another recent initiative is providing online content to promote active engagement & positive mental health messages for all ages.
“We recently linked up with John Conroy of Fitness4fun to develop a series of 12 videos which are available to view directly from our website on Mondays and Fridays over the next five weeks,” said Adelle Aherne, Administrator/ Development Worker.
“The videos will remain on the site for anyone to view and try out at home at their convenience,” she added.
The FRC developed a new website (www.shannonfrc.com) during the initial lockdown which signposts what’s on, including online classes, how to access the family support and counselling services as well as useful links to other local, regional and national services that can assist families in times of need.”
Owen Ryan
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.
