As we near the end of 2022, we have taken time to look back at some of our work over the past year and to acknowledge the achievements we have made.
This year has been incredibly busy at the Centre as we emerged from the shadow of the Covid 19 pandemic.
We recognise that as a community we are facing a number of challenges and we have responded to those challenges through the supports and services we offer, some of which we would like to share with you in this message.
First and foremost we would like to thank our dedicated volunteers that make much of the work at this resource centre possible. A special word of thanks to our voluntary board of management made up of local community members with an vested interest in improving services and supports in the area.
All our volunteers past & present have worked with us tirelessly to make our work in the community a success. Without you, many of our activities would not be possible. Thank you.
If you have an interest in finding out more about volunteering please contact us at the office or Drop in.
In 2022, we have seen an increase in demand for our counselling and therapeutic services which we have expanded to ensure people locally can get support when they need it. We provide these services for children and adults in our community. A huge thank you to our counsellors, funders and other agencies and organisations that have helped us deliver this much needed service throughout the year.
We have provided a number of parenting programmes during 2022. ‘Parenting When Separated’ and ‘Circle of Security Parenting’ which are now run annually have been a huge success and the uptake on these programmes has been high.
We welcomed back our Homework Club, Breast Feeding Support Group and Parent and Toddler Group in 2022. We thoroughly enjoy having the little ones back, they bring an energy to the centre that was so missed during 2020 and 2021.
Our iScoil programme continued in 2022 for young people who are out of mainstream education. In this important programme which offers alternative education for these young people and is designed to include areas of interest to them which can be done online. It is a wonderful initiative that we are very proud of.
We ran several courses delivered by tutors from the Limerick and Clare Education Training Board, these included sewing, arts & crafts and jewellery making. The skills and talents on display from members of our community were fantastic.
The Sit n Knit group also returned in 2022 meeting every week doing all kinds of needlework. They were happy to get involved in making hats and scarves for the homeless.
Another very successful new initiative developed by our family support worker, is a Life Coaching Programme for women which ran in the second half of 2022, this has proven to be a very worthwhile programme with 10 women from the community attending. They can participate in individual and group coaching sessions to assist them in developing a range of coping strategies and life skills. We plan to run this again in 2023.
Our community development worker has organised a cookery programme for people from the Ukraine. It offers them the chance to cook what they would have cooked in their own homes. The feedback has been great, they have said it makes them feel like they are at home again. This is what we like to hear!
Shannon Family Resource Centre is a Rainbows Ireland Centre offering a support to young people aged 7-15 years who have experienced either parental separation or bereavement in their family. For more information on Rainbows see our Website.
It’s an opportune time to send a message of thanks and appreciation to all of our colleague organisations who work closely with us and provide outreach services at the centre, they have provided much need services to the people of Shannon and beyond.
Finally we’d like to thank all of the staff for their work over the past year, Colette, Adelle, Anna, Cathal, Daniel and our Respond Housing Association colleague Kevin.
Wishing you all a very happy and peaceful holiday season and let us look forward to a very positive new year in 2023.
