Default post

A Feakle volunteer run centre is continuing to tackle isolation.

The Ciúnas Centre in Feakle is a local, unfunded, not for profit run by volunteers which has been hit hard by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since achieving registered charity status in 2009, Ciúnas Centre provides rapid access to very affordable and specialist wellness-based therapies and counselling in a fully accessible community-based centre in Feakle.

Volunteer Centre Manager, Máire Bourke states, “Our particular expertise is in helping the more vulnerable in our communities such as carers and their families, the elderly, those with intellectual and physical disabilities and those with serious illnesses. Ciúnas also assists professionals working with vulnerable people such as nurses and health workers, anyone working in emotionally demanding positions such as special needs assistants and teachers, paramedics, emergency services, or anyone in need of self-care in the short or longer-term.

The centre is run and managed by a core team of three founders and a volunteer manger. Providing the service are self-employed therapists who are insured, and Garda vetted, providing their expertise at reduced rates. In addition, Ciúnas has a Board of Directors, comprised entirely of community volunteers and two community funded job-share receptionists.

Máire explains, “We want to provide a sense of place and be a source of comfort to those who need us with the aim of pre-empting the onset of family and personal crises and to be accessible to those that are unable to get timely/affordable access to mainstream services. By actively helping to address feelings of isolation or alienation in the community, and often the shame or stigma of having need, we are helping to deliver positive social impact locally.”

Almost 1,500 clients have been welcomed for wellness treatments and/or counselling services in 2019, a 35-fold increase since the centre opened in 2009, and demand for services continues to increase, Máire tells, adding that they are currently seeking additional therapists to join their small team.

“Being unfunded we need monetary donations,” she admits. Due to the vulnerability of clients, the centre has been unable to reopen as of yet. The centre has not been eligible for any of the government or other rescue grants. In addition, traditional fundraising activities have been completely curtailed.

Máire states: “Counselling and wellness therapies will be even more in demand in the aftermath of this pandemic, when the heavy toll it’s taking on people’s mental and physical health will become very apparent. Therefore, we are looking for support to help us cover core costs during our closure so we can be there when we will be most needed”.

€5000 is needed to help fund an additional 100 client wellness therapy/counselling hours for those unable to afford them, or it would ease the monthly core costs of the centre for approximately an additional 5 months. Additional donations would be used to update aged PC’s, to revamp their website, social media offerings and develop marketing materials. A €500 donation, which would help fund an additional 50 client wellness therapy/counselling hours for those unable to afford them.

Máire imparts with, “We have survived, primarily by self-funding ourselves, for the past 10 years, we really don’t want to let a pandemic beat us now when our services are needed more than ever, so we would really welcome your support.”

The centre also offers vouchers with no expiry dates for €50 for a one-hour wellness therapy of choice.

Related News

jarlath burns 1-2
GAA President Burns to maintain Scariff Harbour Festival's links with Northern Ireland & GAA
michael mcnamara 3
AI offers generational opportunity for Mid-West to become Ireland's digital home - McNamara
shannon airport departures 1-2
Passenger numbers up 7% to 1.04m for first half of 2025 at Shannon Airport
shannon airport fencing 2
Shannon Airport install new security fencing following recent breaches

Advertisement

Latest News
shannon airport departures 1-2
Passenger numbers up 7% to 1.04m for first half of 2025 at Shannon Airport
shannon airport fencing 2
Shannon Airport install new security fencing following recent breaches
1 DSC_9466
'There's no way we're not going to go again' - O'Donnell says no decisions made but exits from Clare camp unlikely
Killaloe-bridge
Trial pedestrianisation period announced for Killaloe to Ballina Bridge
brendan o'mara
Two Gardaí working full-time on case of €10m drug seizure involving Meelick ex Ryanair pilot
Premium
monaghan v clare 29-06-25 roisin considine jennifer duffy 1
Monaghan make their mark & send Clare out of ladies football championship
éire óg v doora barefield 29-06-25 cusack cup 1
Éire Óg win Cusack Cup for second time with dominant extra time display
waterford v clare minor 28-06-25 liam murphy gearoid o'shea james o'donnell 1
Déise deserving winners over Clare in All-Ireland minor final
tipperary v clare camogie 28-06-25 niamh costigan roisin begley 1
Tipp thump Clare but Carmody's charges still have All-Ireland quarter-final to look forward to
laurel lodge 07-11-23 3
Laurel Lodge resident further remanded in custody for alleged assault of retired judge

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement