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NUACHT NEKD
Newsletter for North, East & West Kerry
Issue 8 : Summer 2014
INSIDE...
Tús Getting you working, KWINs - “ I am enough Seminar “ , NEKDs Board update .
.....
Ní dhéanfaidh smaoineamh an treabhadh duit. - You’ll never plough a field turning it over in your mind-
Message from the Chair
What a year for Local Development companies,
the uncertainty, the challenges, the ever changing
goal posts, ah yes we will remember 2015 for a
while.
Thanks to the great work by the staff on our
two major programmes the Local Community
Development Programme (LCDP) and LEADER,
when all were asked for the extra effort they came up trumps. For the last
few months all we heard of was plans and more plans. When the dust
settled and our application to be programme implementers was submitted
it was out of our hands. The great work of all involved and the attention
to detail - we were successful and awarded the contract to deliver and
continue to work with our communities. It was my great pleasure on
behalf of staff and communities to sign the contract for SICAP. Take a bow
everybody.
Now the emphasis moves to the new LEADER programme and again I feel
supremely confident that we will be the deliverers of this programme. Yes,
budgets have been reduced across the board but with all working with the
one goal of being the very best we can at community development, we
can and will continue to deliver for all.
Thanks to the communities in which we are rooted and hopefully we will
remain so, by working on the needs of both individual and the bigger
groups it will keep our focus on the bottom up.
To my colleagues on the board who give of their time so freely to the
various committees and constantly support for the work we do - many
thanks. This will be a year of change too for people who have served on
our board from the beginning of NEKD, it time for rotation and new people
will come through the Local Advisory Groups.
I myself will be due to end my term this year, so a heartfelt thanks to all for
their support and advice during my term as Chair.
I am confident that in the next few months a greater degree of certainty
will arrive in regard to all our programmes. To all the staff that work in all
areas of the company, the Tús worker, RSS, CE and all on our CSP schemes,
and the entire programme based staff, remember you are the ambassadors
of the company when you are out working in the communities. Yes it’s a
massive team when all are included, when we look at the figures we do not
appreciate the effect of the work we do as a community based company,
it’s only when we see it for ourselves, then the value of this work is apparent
to all. The Jobs Clubs and the Enterprise team the amount of people that
they have helped to reach their potential is staggering, well done to all.
Thanks to one and all, it has been my pleasure to have worked with all of you.
Bernard Collins
Walk 4 Life 5k
The inaugural Walk 4 Life 5k charity walk will take
place April 25th, 8pm from the Tralee Bay Wetlands.
The aim of the event is to raise awareness of mental
health and suicide supports that are available to us
in Kerry. This event promises to be a very special
occasion with guest speakers, entertainment and refreshments. We are
delighted to have Social Box
TV covering the event.
The idea behind the walk
came from Colin Aherne who
saw a need to raise more
awareness in Tralee around
the issue of mental health
and suicide and to make
people aware of the range
of supports and services
that are available to us here.
Colin is working alongside
Lorraine Bowler of the North
& East Kerry Development
(NEKD) to help get the event
up and running.
The first 500 people to
register will receive a race
pack which includes a high
viability vest from the RSA,
a green ribbon from Sea
Change, A Walk 4 Life wrist
band, a leaflet on the chosen charities and a candle.
It is €10 to register and all proceeds from the event will be
going to Walk 4 Life’s
chosen charities:
- Jigsaw Kerry - Pieta House - Aware - Kerry Peer
Support
Network
- Be Aware
Prevent Suicide Register Here:
www.active.com/tralee-kerry/walking/races/walk-4-life-2015
You can find more info and
follow us on Facebook facebook.com/walk4lifekerry
Or Call 087 3504943.
We are looking forward to welcoming you!
Bernard Collins
NEKD AREA OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS
Tralee: NEKD, Áras an Phobail, Croílár na Mistéalach, Tralee, Co. Kerry Tralee 066 7180190, LES 066 7129675
Castleisland: North & East Kerry Development, Crageens, Castleisland 066 7142576, Jobs Club 066 7142211
Listowel: North & East Kerry Development, 12 The Square, Listowel 068 23429, Jobs Club 068 24981
DINGLE: An Mhainistir, John Street, Dingle 066 7142788 Email: info@nekd.ie Website: www.nekd.net
NUACHT
NEKD
Newsletter for North, East & West Kerry
“KWIN’s important and innovative seminar
‘I Am Enough’ invited to Dingle...
2015 started off in dynamic fashion for KWIN when they held a seminar
in Listowel called ‘I am Enough’. Due to the success it enjoyed there, the
organisers have been invited by the Women’s International Cafe to re-host it
in Dingle. Comments that came back from some of the Listowel participants
included:
“Thought provoking”, “Enlightening” and “Emotive and Evocative”
This conference is about challenging the norms that women are faced with
on a daily basis such as the barrage of subliminal negative messages from the
media, the workplace and in politics, which leaves women with the question:
Will I ever be enough? and this is often totally unbeknownst to them.
Just recently at the Oscars, Patricia Arquette stood up and named the
‘Elephant in the room’ to a standing ovation.. her statement was that it is time
for equality for women in pay and in opportunities.
Part of KWIN’s aim is to realise that message and create a platform for change
by raising awareness.
through solidarity.
KWIN’s ethos is to
gather
women
to listen, discuss
and find fresh
conversations that will
place them in the community with more awareness of the
importance of our roles and make us more visible with a view to creating
greater opportunities for women. Information on the Dingle seminar will be
available on the NEKD website and KWIN Facebook page.
This conference was attended by over 60 women in Listowel and evoked
discussion, debate and realisations on how women are placed in our society.
This was achieved through demonstrations, exercises and interaction with all
involved. There is an innate wisdom, intelligence and talent in women that
needs to be taken more seriously.
In celebration of International Women’s Day KWIN hosted an event which
included the showing of a movie; ‘Salt of the Earth’ - which is about equality
Employment
Information Morning
Margaret Daly, Jennifer O’Sullivan
Coffey, Priscilla O’Brien and Margo
Brosnan busy attending the North
& East Kerry Development stand
for the Employment Information
morning held at the Riverisland
Hotel Castleisland on Friday the
13th of March.
It was a very successful morning,
the event highlighted local
services in employment and
educational
opportunities
available in Castleisland and the
neighbouring districts.
Board
Update:
As 2014 drew to a
close and we headed
into a new year, we
were sorry to loose
2 long standing
members of the
NEKD Board, John
Foley (IFA) and our
Vice - Chairperson,
Brian
O’Connor
(Community Rep).
Both members had
represented
their
areas of interest and
the community at
large admirably since
2009 and before this
with Tuatha Chiarraí
and Sliabh Luachra Local Development. In January, we welcomed
John Stack representing the IFA and Lucia Power representing the
Castleisland Community area. At the last Board meeting a new
Vice-Chairperson was announced, Joe Moriarty.
Pictured: Our Chairperson, Bernard Collins makes a presentation
of local photographs by Tony Hartney, to Brian O’Connor on
his retirement from the Board. Tony Hartney is a talented local
photographer who has been supported through NEKD Enterprise
Supports.
-2-
NUACHT
NEKD
Newsletter for North, East & West Kerry
On behalf of Kerry Festival of Pride: Martina O’Brien
North and East Kerry Development in
conjunction with the Department of Social
Protection deliver the Rural Social Scheme in
North and East Kerry.
If you are
a) currently in receipt of Farm Assist or Fish
Assist OR have a herd number, a copy of your Single Farm Payment application and are
in receipt of a qualifying payment from social welfare (www.welfare.ie/en/Schemes/
RuralandCommunitySupports/Pages/RuralSocialScheme.aspx) then you could benefit
from a top up payment from the Scheme in return for 19.5 hours work in the
community.
You are cordially invited to support Kerry Festival of
Pride 2015, to take part in the parade & celebrations
later at the Earl of Desmond Hotel., Tralee
w w w.kerr ypride.ie
Saturday May 16th 2015
Gathering for the parade:
@ Brandon Car Park at 2.30pm
For those of you that don’t already know, the Festival
is a celebration of Diversity within Kerry, sexual, ethnic,
nationalities, class, color or creed, you name it, we all
have something to bring that enriches the fabric of
society in Kerry. A chance to show our pride for who we
are, where we are, where we came from and what we do.
This is also a fabulous opportunity to put on a show of
solidarity before the referendum on 22 May.
Yours Sincerely
Martina OBrien
www.kerr ypride.ie
Events for Pride 2015
lParade Saturday May 16th from the car park across
from the Garda barracks on past the Brogue, down the
Mall and Denny Street, on into the Town Park. Gathering
for the parade will begin at 2.30pm. The parade will
start at 3.00pm and take approximately 45 minutes. This
route was chosen for the convenience and safety of the
parade participants.
lPost Parade /Pride Celebration will be at the Earl of
Desmond Hotel, for accommodation details logo on to
www.kerrypride.ie
l7.30 Play “Looking Pretty in Hell” written, produced
and directed by local artist Fidelma Fitzgerald. €10.
l9pm til closing €15 waged, €12 unwaged.
l9pm Rachel / Tom & The Flames, musical comedy act
with a twist.
l10pm Traditional music session with Polly and Enya,
Ree and Mary Beagly, Rachel and possibly Nora.
l11.30 Salsa Drum Dance.
l€20 ticket for the whole show.
lFamily Day Sunday 17th in Tralee Town Park from 2
to 6pm. The day will include egg and sake races, face
painting, and bouncy castles, and dj Donal will be on
site for running commentary on all events and entertain
with music / craid.
lSale of Festival merchancise throughout the day of the
festival to raise funds to pay for the festival.
lSelected traders may also be in the park, providing
food, ice-cream and just about anything else you can
want. Promotions of Health products / services may also
be held in the park. 11am to 6pm.
The following people are also permitted to participate in the scheme: Dependent spouse,
children or siblings of a qualifying herd owner.
Work is available in all areas with hours to fit in with your farming/fishing needs. You will
also be contributing to a class A stamp while you are on the scheme.
Applications are also invited from Community Groups who are interested in having
suitable work carried out in their area. The type of work envisaged includes:
l waymarked ways, agreed walks and bog roads;
l village and countryside enhancement projects;
l maintenance and caretaking of community
and sporting activities,
l community administration/clerical duties;
l social care and care of the elderly, community care for both pre-school
and after-school groups;
l projects relating to not-for-profit cultural and heritage centres;
l any other appropriate community-based projects that may be identified during
the course of the scheme.
Rural Social Scheme application forms can be obtained from the Rural Social Scheme
Supervisors at each of the North and
East Kerry Development Office’s listed below.
Áras an Phobail, Croílár an Mistéalach,
Tralee (066) 7180190
Crageens, Castleisland (066) 7142576
12 The Square, Listowel (068) 23429
Tel: 066 7120877
Kerry Education Training Board runs Community Education and BTEI courses
at Tralee Community Development Project. BTEI & Community Education
increase peoples participation in community life as well as building the
capacity of people who may want to up – skill due to being recently
unemployed, early school leavers, early retired etc.
BTEI COURSES AVAILABLE
FETAC QQI LEVEL 3
Computer Literacy, Internet
Skills, Wordprocessing
FETAC QQI LEVEL 4
Information Technology,
Computer Applications
FETAC QQI LEVEL 5
Word-processing, Healthcare,
Community Development
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
COURSES AVAILABLE
Basic Computers
Art for Beginners
Smartphone using Android
Creative Writing
Internet for Farmers
-3-
NUACHT
NEKD
Newsletter for North, East & West Kerry
Tús – Getting you working
The Tús initiative is a community work placement
programme providing short-term working
opportunities for unemployed people.
The work opportunities are to benefit the
community and are provided by community and
voluntary organisations in both urban and rural
areas.
s Tús will help you gain wor≈e experience
and learn new skills
s You will work within your local community
in a structured and supported role
s Work times are flexible for 19.5 hours
per week
s Contract will be for 12 months with payment
made directly to your back account
Tús is funded by the Department of Social
Protection, which has overall responsibility for
the scheme. The Tús programme was announced
in the 2010 Government Budget as part of the
Government’s co-ordinated response to the
economic crisis. There are 7,500 placements
nationally with NEKD securing 120 placements
for the North & East of the County.
Participants will in the first instance, be identified
by Department of Social Protection and referred
to North and East Kerry Development.
A Tús Supervisor will work with people in
identifying a suitable placement. It will be
possible to work in delivering a very broad range
of services of benefit to the community and
in a variety of community settings under this
initiative.
Community groups can apply using the NEKD
Tús application form available from our offices or
from www.nekd.net.
LEFT: Tús Team: L-R back row : Tina Moriarty, Pat
Hartnett, Diana McCarthy, Michael Crean.
L-R front row : Helena Houlihan, Patricia Dowling,
Steve Moore
TestimonialS from Community & Voluntary Groups
Rath Oraigh Community
Childcare Centre Tralee
provides afterschool care for children from
4 to 12 years from the local community. The
centre also runs summer camps and provides
facilities for the running of courses to benefit
the local community and as centre Linda
Moriarty explains “ The assistance and support
provided by the Tús workers plays a large part
in the ongoing day to day maintenance and
upkeep of the centre, which in turn enable
the centre childcare staff focus on the needs
of the children”
-4-
NUACHT
NEKD
Newsletter for North, East & West Kerry
On behalf of the Causeway Men’s Shed thank you to TUS and NEKD
for all your support. The contribution made to the Men’s Shed by the Tus
workers you have recruited has been a massive bonus for us. All the workers
have fitted in well with the members and assisted us in all our projects. They
have enabled our organisation to develop the premises and widen the services
that we offer. We have also benefited by attending a number of training
courses eg occupational 1st aid that the workers also participated in. They have
shared a number of skills that they had with us and vice versa so we all wound
up learning something. They have all been very reliable and punctual and a
real pleasure to work with. It is great to have them as part of the team and we
would hope that once their time is up they may consider joining us at the Men’s
Shed in an informal capacity and keep up the new friendships. Causeway Men’s
Shed
Rattoo Heritage Society says Tús is best described as a project
within communities because it is truly a collaborative enterprise which is
carefully planned to achieve a particular aim with many benefits both to
communities and participants. The Tús Project has re introduced its many
participants back into the social circle
giving their lives new meaning and
purpose. Once again they know where
they came from, they know where they
are going, and they know who they
are. The benefits to the communities
are immense. Rural and urban areas
are alive once again with the many
activities Tus participants are involved
in. Child care, community play groups, general community services, environmental, historical and heritage
projects to name but a few. Once more beautiful floral displays decorate our clean streets and roadways along
with manicured lawns which greet both locals and visitors alike. The success of the Tus Project is due to the
excellent management from the top and the attention to detail of Tus supervisors, work replacement officers
and the many dedicated participants. Long may they prosper.
Duagh Family and Community Resource Centre
recognise the support and assistance of the TUS programme which helps
the worker return to work in a friendly and safe environment with many
training opportunities. We recognise that people have the right to be
treated with respect and dignity in their work place. Since the beginning
of the TUS project we have had 9 Tús workers employed at the Centre over
the past five years since the introduction of the Programme. Progression
routes supported 3 to enter full time employment (one within the Centre),
3 in to self-employment and 3 into full time education. We look forward to
a continued relationship with NEKD and the Tús Programme.
The Directors of Tarbert Community Care Ltd are delighted
to announce that Luke Steer has joined our workforce courtesy of Tús/NEKD.
The importance of Tús cannot be overstated as it enables us as volunteers to
cover all aspects of activities where staggered hours form the basic structure of
community convenience and opportunity.
-5-
NUACHT
NEKD
Newsletter for North, East & West Kerry
Castleisland Community Garden
has been established since 2013, and in this short
time it is an integral part of the local community
in Castleisland and surrounding area. The main
aim of the garden is encourage and support local
people and groups to start growing their own
veg using organic gardening techniques instead
of chemical and fertilizers, growing organic is
healthier for everyone and the local environment. Some of the local groups include
the NEKD Youth Group, Kerry Mental Health, Women Resource Group, Oilean Beo/ St
John of God (adults with intellectual disability), Local Schools, and people from the
local community with an interest in gardening. The garden has provided excellent
placements and opportunities to both the Tús and RSS programmes who work side
by side in supporting the garden allowing it to grow, and in return the participants
to develop new skills, enhancing existing, building confidence, self-esteem, meeting
new people getting involved in the community and educates the participants
through practical classes of biodiversity, organic, herb fruit and vegetable growing in a sustainable manner.
The principles of water harvesting and recycling are in practice in the garden. Castleisland Community Garden
Committee look forward to continuing to work with NEKD especially RSS and Tús Programme supervisors and
participants.
Firies Tidy Towns are delighted
to be involved with Tús in the last
few years and to continuing a strong
relationship with the RSS and NEKD.
We have benefitted in our overall tidy
towns score because of the great work
carried out by workers. They have great
initiative and we can see this in winter
and summer. The lawns are taken care of,
the flower beds are weeded, and all the rubbish is picked up within and outside the
village. They have also played a role in painting, sweeping leaves, putting up the
Christmas decorations and helping with our yearly Christmas market. TheIr work is
greatly appreciated and we hope Tús and RSS will benefit us for the years to come.
Volunteers Wanted
Food Share Kerry
About Us:
Food Share Kerry collects surplus food from food suppliers and distributes
it to charities and groups who work with those who are disadvantaged and
in need of support around their food needs. This is a joint project between
St.Vincent de Paul and North & East Kerry Development.
We are currently looking for a volunteer(s) to help with the day to day
operation of the project
and clean the following at least once per week – fridge, shelving etc
- To observe all Health and Safety policies especially HACCP hygiene practices
and to be involved in continual quality improvement in order to ensure
that the hygiene levels are maintained at all times, including that floors are
clean and kept free of clutter, spillage or any other issues that may lead to
accident.
- To help with food deliveries and collections as required
The Ideal candidate will have :
- A commitment to treating people with dignity and respect
- Good organisational skills
- Excellent communication skills
Duties :
- To engage with and build professional trusting relationships with individual
service users, treating them with dignity and respect, and working within the
values of Food Share Kerry.
- To ensure food parcels are prepared as per co-ordinator’s instructions
- To ensure that the co-ordinator is kept up to date as to stock levels so as to
avoid any stocks running low/empty
- To maintain a clean environment and to thoroughly clean all surfaces daily,
USEFUL WEBSITES
- An understanding of the principles of teamwork and the ability to work on
your own initiative as well as part of a team
- A can-do attitude is essential in this role
To apply:
Please send a note/email outlining your suitability for the volunteer position
to Robert Carey, NEKD, Aras an Phobail, Croolar nd Mistealach, Tralee or
robertcarey@nekd.ie . Also include your email address and contact number.
Interesting web page designed by pupils
with emphasis on farm safety for kids....
www.farmsafety4kids.net
-6-
A useful website from CIC
http://www.gettingbacktowork.ie/en/
NUACHT
NEKD
Newsletter for North, East & West Kerry
NEKD’s Farm Family Support
Committee has organised an
interdenominational service
which will take place as follows :
Castleisland Church
of St. Stephen and John,
Church Street, Castleisland.
Friday 1st May 2015
at 7.30pm
This is a memorial service dedicated to
those families who have lost loved ones
as a result of accidents on the Farm.
The Farming Community has suffered
many fatalities over the years, and this
service we believe is a fitting and timely
event to commemorate those people.
This is a public event and is open
to the Farming Community
and the general public.
In addition to the service, there will
be light refreshments provided in the
Castleisland Day Care Centre
immediately after the 7.30pm service.
All are welcome.
Open Invitation: All welcome!!
North East Kerry Development Partnership
are hosting a
Farm Family Information Meeting:
Benners Hotel, Dingle
21st April 2015, 7.30pm
This meeting will address:
1. Changes from the Single Farm Payment Scheme to the new Basic
Payment Scheme
2. Information on the benefits of entering the GLAS scheme
3. Information on the change from the Disadvantaged Area Scheme to the
Areas of National Constraint Scheme
4. Updates on the Hen Harrier Scheme
5. Commercial Forestry Options under the New Basic Payment Scheme
6. Any other information
All welcome. No charge for this event
Further information please contact
Seamus O’Hara
North East Kerry Development, Croilár na Mistealach Tralee
066 71 80190 / 066 7142788
Success for NEKD!
There is good news for Kerry as the county
begins to emerge from the crises of the past
number of years and attempts to repair some
of the damage inflicted upon communities by
recession and the subsequent austerity. North
and East Kerry Development (including West
Kerry) have succeeded in a competitive tender
process to become programme implementer
of Social Inclusion and Community Activation
Programme (SICAP).
SICAP is a local social inclusion programme
focussed on the most marginalised people
in our communities. It aims to tackle poverty
and social exclusion through local community
development, by empowering communities
and individuals to improve their quality of life.
“Families and communities in the region suffered
significant social and economic deprivation
during the recession. Unemployment had
a huge impact in an area that was highly
dependent on the building sector and resulted
in a combination of large scale emigration in
rural areas and unemployment of over 50% in a
number of areas. This was exacerbated by cuts
in services during austerity which impacted
disproportionately on the most disadvantaged.
Thankfully, we seem to be emerging from the
recession but the recovery in areas such as
North and West Kerry will lag behind the large
cities. Also, there is an underlying inequality
which needs to be tackled: participation rates
in third level for example vary from 63% in one
area in Tralee to around 7% in another, and a
recent CSO report shows that without welfare
50% of the population would be at risk of
poverty. This programme will help us to provide
much needed supports to communities and
individuals who need it most” Robert Carey,
NEKD SICAP Manager stated.
Chairperson, Bernard Collins welcomed the
news and said “There have been a lot of changes
from a national policy perspective in how local
development is delivered and the granting of
Bernard Collins, Chairperson NEKD
signing Sicap contract
this programme to NEKD is welcome progress.
We are delighted that local development has not
been privatised and continues to be delivered by
community-based not-for-profit companies. We
look forward to delivering the programme and
working with all our partners, many of whom
are represented on our board”.
-7-
NUACHT
NEKD
Newsletter for North, East & West Kerry
Listowel Office:
12 The Square, Listowel
Telephone: 068 23429. Email: info@nekd.ie
Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs 9am to 5pm,
Fri 9am to 4.30pm. (Closed 1-2pm)
Jobseeking Service:
Listowel Jobs Club, 12 The Square, Listowel
Telephone: 068 24981
Email: tinaoconnor@nekd.ie
Castleisland Office:
Crageens, Castleisland
Tralee Office:
Áras an Phobail, Croílár na Mistéalach,
Dean’s Lane, Tralee
Telephone: 066 7180190. Email: info@nekd.ie
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 9.00am to 5.30pm
Friday: 9.00am to 5.00pm. (open through lunch)
Jobseeking Service: Tralee LES, 1-2 North Circular Road, Tralee
Telephone: 066 7129675.
Email: info@traleeles.ie
Opening Hours: 9.30am to 5.00pm
(closed 1-2pm)
Dingle Office
An Mhainistir, Sráid Eoin, An Daingean
Telephone: 066 7142576. Email: info@nekd.ie
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9.30am to 5.30pm
(open through lunch)
Telephone/Teileafón: 066 7142788. Email/R-phost: info@nekd.ie
Opening Hours/Uaireanta Oscailte: 9.30am to 5.00pm
(closed for lunch 1-2pm)
Jobseeking Service:
Castleisland Job Club, Crageens, Castleisland
Email: info@nekd.ie. Telephone: 066 7142211
Jobseeking Service: An Mhainistir, Sráid Eoin, An Daingean
Telephone/Teileafón: 066 7142788
Email/R-phost: margaretdaly@nekd.ie
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