Getting Back Out There -Reconnecting after COVID Free Event Reminder Update

 Easing of restrictions has allowed us to get back to the people and things we love, but adjusting has brought challenges too.

You might be worried about the pace of the changes or what the future may bring but it's important to be patient with yourself and with your feelings.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been hard for us all, and we have all experienced the effects differently.

Even positive change can lead to anxiety, and it can take time to readjust to things we have not done for a while.

Cork County Federation of Muintir na Tire in conjunction with Ballynoe Community Council and Cork and Kerry Community Healthcare HSE are organising a social event to help people reconnect after Covid. This is an evening of improving your mental wellness plus music and dancing. This event will take place in Ballynoe Community Hall on Friday April 29^th at 7.30pm.

Feelings of anxiety are likely to pass with time as we get used to the "new normal" but it's important to do what we can to take care of our mental health.

The Speaker on the night is Kevin Mc Cormack. Kevin is a Mental Health Peer Support Coach, a published poet, and a professional performer. His unique approach to teaching self-care through Mindfulness and Meditation has gained him a wide following both in Ireland and abroad. Kevin will be giving a light-hearted talk on the importance of taking personal responsibility for our mental health and will share some simple ideas of how to cope with anxiety.  He will also be reading from his poetry collections ‘Verses Versus Verses’ and ‘SOUP for the WOUNDED’, and will partake in a Q&A session on the night.

The evening will continue with refreshments followed by music and dancing with James Burke.

The event is free of charge but a raffle will be held to help defray costs.

Book your place by contacting 0214500688 or email admin@muintircork.com. Groups welcome.

Cork County Heroes Honoured at 2022 County Mayor’s Community Awards

 Outstanding contributions made by individuals and community and voluntary groups across Cork County was showcased at the 9th Annual Mayor’s Community Awards. Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan presented a total of twelve awards on the night, including a special posthumous presentation, with Noreen Minihan from West Cork winning the overall Individual award and Passage West Creates winning the overall Community Group award. 

Mayor Coughlan warmly commended all nominees on the night for their commitment and dedication to their communities, “These annual awards celebrate the best of our county’s goodwill, generosity and altruism. They give us all the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the selfless work of volunteers who support their communities. From responding to the urgent needs of neighbours and friends throughout the county to cultivating civic pride and harbouring a sense of identity and solidarity, each nominee has left a lasting mark on their community that deserves our highest commendations.”

The Mayor’s Community Overall individual award winner, Noreen Minehan of Clonakilty, has a long-standing history of community activity having been involved in the Cope Foundation, the West Cork Traveller Centre, Clonakilty Community Hall, Dúchas Historical Society, Annual Band Championships, West Cork Drama Festival and Clonakilty Street Feast Festival. The judges highlighted how Noreen has a very broad reach across her community and that of West Cork over many years.

Passage West Creates, winners of the Mayor’s Community Overall Group Award, is a not-for-profit collective of crafters from Cork Harbour and beyond. Its home is behind a bright blue shop front in Main Street, Passage West driven by an ethos of all that is local, sustainable and ethical with the judges remarking how Passage West Creates is committed to continued growth and continues to innovate. 

A posthumous presentation for Mary Manning recognising her outstanding work in driving the development of Dromahane Community Park and promoting greater inclusion in her community was collected by her husband, Barry Phillips.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey added, “Cork County Council’s mission to improve quality of life, of environment, and to preserve and promote local amenities and heritage is greatly advantaged by the incredible work done at a community level throughout the County. It’s no exaggeration to say that many of the great things about towns and villages in the county are thanks to the work of the nominees and groups and individuals like them. These awards are well earned recognition for the incredible community work that takes place all year round in Cork.”

Cork North Dementia Information Evening series.

  Free Dementia Information Evening which is being held in Midleton Park Hotel, East Cork on Wednesday the 11^th of May from 7-9pm. The evening is one of three community information sessions currently being organised in 2022 by the HSE Cork North Community Work Department; the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland and the Crystal Project Mallow.

The following two Dementia Information Evenings are scheduled for:

·       Springfort Hall Hotel, Mallow on Wednesday 21^st of September from 7-9pm.

·       Cork City (North-side venue tbc) on Wednesday November 2^nd from 7-9pm.

 

The evening is open to anyone living with a diagnosis of Dementia, family carers, home helps, professionals or those with an interest in learning more about Dementia. Information stands will also be available.

 

Spring Nature, Technology & Wellbeing Project

 

Marie Keating Mobile Information Unit

 Mallow Community Health Project is hosting The Marie Keating Mobile  Information Unit at Main Street, Mallow, on Wednesday the 4^th May from 10 30 am to 3 30 pm.

 

The focus on this Mobile Unit is to

1.Raising awareness on all forms of cancer.

2.Giving advice on prevention and early detection.

3. Focus on giving information to communities that are hard to reach.

4.Nurse will perform the “ Smokerlyzer Test” which looks at  the level of carbon monoxide in the lungs.

5.Fizz to Fat……sugary drinks that turn in to body fat.

6. All information on all types of cancer for e.g. Men’s health, Women’s health, Brest cancer, Cervical cancer, Skin cancer etc.

7. Survivorship, life after cancer and adjusting to the new normal.

 

Fermoy QQI level 5 Healthcare Support component - Care Support.

 

Dandelion Festival hosted by the Fermoy International Garden.

 

Take part in the Home Plus Fitness Programme at SeniorTimes LIVE!

 

Home Plus, Associate Sponsors to SeniorTimes LIVE! will be running a fitness programme at this years event in the RDS on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th April

 

Starting at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm on each day. Home Plus Specialist Trainers will take you throught your paces for 15-20 minutes.  The trainers will chose exercises that older people can do at home.  They will show how the exercise can be modified for those people who need to be seated.  All done in a fun way.

While the classes are not taking place, the trainers will be there to answer any questions people may have about exercising, stretching etc.

At both places, there will be someone there to take names and emails from those people who want to enter into the free raffle to win an iPad.

To Register to attend SeniorTimes LIVE! – CLICK HERE

 

Shine: 4 Week Introductory Online Support Groups

4 Week Introductory Online Support Groups

Would you like to join one of our upcoming 4 Week Introductory Online Support Groups?

We will meet weekly for one hour for 4 weeks, where our sessions are delivered over Zoom.

If you are over 18 and live in Ireland, you are invited to register below for the Online Support Group best suited to you.

Each group will have a maximum of 14 participants.

Group 1 – Living with self-experience of mental health challenges.
WHEN: Mondays April 4th, 11th, 25th & May 9th at 6.00pm

Groups will be facilitated by training Shine facilitators and each week we will share and support one another.

During our sessions we will:

• Support you to open up about what you are feeling and experiencing in a safe and facilitated environment
• Introduce you to ideas and approaches that others have found helpful
• Reassure you that you’re not alone in how you are feeling
• Help you to connect with others and give you a sense of belonging
• Encourage you to value your strengths
• Build your self-esteem and confidence
• Help you to feel more hopeful about the future

Group 2 – Relatives and supporters of a person with mental health challenges.
WHEN: Thursdays April 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th at 6.00pm

Groups will be facilitated by training Shine facilitators and each week we will share and support one another. Our group introduces and explores what relative/supporter peer support and family recovery can mean for you During our sessions we will:

• Support you to open up about what you are feeling and experiencing in a safe and facilitated environment
• Introduce you to ideas and approaches that others have found helpful
• Reassure you that you’re not alone in how you are feeling
• Help you to connect with others and give you a sense of belonging
• Encourage you to value your strengths
• Build your self-esteem and confidence
• Help you to feel more hopeful about the future

If you are over 18 and live in Ireland, you are invited to register below for the Online Support Group best suited to you.

To register for one of these groups please complete our online registration form here. No prior experience of Shine groups is necessary in order to register your interest. For more information please email onlinesupport@shine.ie

General Info

Date Entered/Updated

25th Feb, 2022

Region

Online

Expiry Date

25th Apr, 2022

€15 Million Community Centre Fund

 €15 Million Community Centre Fund 

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced a new €15 million capital fund to support community groups for the upgrade and refurbishment of Community Centres.  This is an investment in both rural and urban communities across the Country. The Community Centres Investment Fund will support community groups with the upgrade and development of their Community Centre facilities.

Funding will be available under 3 Categories with grants of between €10k and €300K available:

Category 1: Small scale projects/improvements to facilities - €10,000 to €25,000.

Category 2: Larger scale projects - €25,001 to €100,000.

Category 3: Major projects- €100,001 to €300,000.

Applications under Category 2 and 3 must include a minimum contribution of 5% of the total project costs from the applicants own funds.

Funding is available for capital works such as: -

·         Works to improve communal facilities such as kitchen and toilet facilities

·         Energy retrofitting, new windows / doors / heating systems

·         Upgrades to lighting systems and stage areas

·         Works to address safety concerns, including as a result of fire safety audits

·         Works to improve disability access

·         Improvements to assist in providing additional or better services to the community such as Meals for the Elderly & youth facilities

·         Works to develop Community Centres as Social Hubs through the development of Community Cinemas, Youth Hubs and Community Libraries

·         Essential maintenance works, repairs to roof, etc

There will be a two-stage application process with applicants asked to register their organisation in advance of the formal application process going live.

Registration will open on Tuesday 3rd May 2022, applicants need to register as 'users' on the portal in advance of the application process opening on Tuesday 7th June 2022. The closing date for applications is Thursday 14th July 2022.

The Department will be hosting a number of online information events in May and June 2022 to provide guidance in relation to the application process and details will be released in due course. Guidelines and a sample application form are now available at www.gov.ie/drcd.

Community Groups are urged to familiarise themselves with the application process and criteria well in advance of submitting their application.

Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said: “Community Centres are at the heart of every community in Ireland, rural and urban. We need places for people to meet up, to play sport and engage in all sorts of activities whether it is meals for the elderly, indoor soccer or basketball, or providing a space for the local dramatic society to perform. This new fund is about supporting them to carry out vital upgrade works as well as enhancing the services and amenities they can provide to persons of all ages in their community.

I am encouraging all community groups to look at this fund and think about how they can use it to improve their own local parish hall or community centre. Do you need new windows or doors? Does the stage or sound system need to be upgraded? Could you look at developing space for a Youth Hub or Community Cinema? Community Centres are all about bringing people together in a locality. As Minister, I want to ensure Community Centres continue to be at the heart of our local parishes, towns and villages”.

 

Cork Co Co Pops Live Performance Programme Returns to Cork County

 Following the success of its 2021 programme, Cork County Council’s Cork Co Co Pops series returns with over 80 live performances, supported by the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme (LLPPS) by of The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

With a line-up including shows as varied as comic theatrical retellings of Cu Chulainn by Scealta Productions, to John Spillane in concert, a Cork City Ballet recital in Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre to a Tea Dance by Evelyn Grant, there is wide variety performances with something for all ages and tastes. This series of live performances will take place throughout County Cork during the months of April, May and June.

Launching the programme, the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan said, “Last year, thanks to funding through LLPPS, Cork Co Co Pops brought joy and creativity to towns and villages throughout the county with a series of concerts, plays, performances and workshops in public spaces. These events allowed us all to come together safely again and celebrate our local talent and culture. It is great to see those successes continuing and brightening up towns and villages countywide again this year.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey welcomed the return of the live performance series, “In 2021, Cork Co Co Pops provided support to over 650 professional performing artists, event producers and ancillary production personnel. It supported the delivery of over 180 performances that have animated public spaces in our main county towns and rural locations, reaching an audience of over 15,000 people. We are very excited to replicate this success and continue supporting local culture and entertainment through this year’s programme.”

Full details of this month’s programme can be found below.

https://www.corkcoco.ie/sites/default/files/news/coco_april_22_0.pdf

National Biodiversity Week and information on Ireland's Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity

 

National Biodiversity Week 2022 takes place from May 15th -22nd and the theme this year is: “Building a shared future for all life”. More information can be had on this link: https://www.cbd.int/biodiversity-day

On the subject of biodiversity, and of considerable importance to that same said subject, is the recent establishment of a Citizen’s Assembly on Biodiversity who met for the first time on Saturday 9 April 2022.  The Assembly may be viewed online at www.citizensassembly.ie and all citizens will have the opportunity to make submissions via the website and by emailing submissions@citizensassembly.ie.

Centenary Exhibition in the Newly Opened Bandon Library Launched

 Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan has launched Cork County Council’s War of Independence and Civil War Exhibition at Bandon Library. The exhibition, developed by the Council and supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, features 24 panels documenting key events and people, and is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, until April 28th.

Cork was a pivotal area in both the War of Independence and the Civil War, being the home, birthplace or residence of many key figures, and well as hosting the locations of events and engagements whose impact would resonate nationwide. The Exhibition looks at notable people like Tom Barry, Seán Moylan, Liam Lynch and Michael Collins, while also examining the important role of women, the community impact and the civilian experience of the turbulent times.

Notable War of Independence engagements are explored such as the Clonmult, Dripsey and Kilmichael Ambushes, as are pivotal moments in the Civil War, such as the Battle for Cork and the killing of Michael Collins at Béal na mBláth.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan said at the launch, “One hundred years on from these conflicts, which reached every town and village on the island of Ireland, we have the opportunity to explore what our statehood means and see how ordinary people like ourselves lived through rapidly changing times. This is thanks in large part to the incredible local efforts of historians, enthusiasts and community groups who have kept our connection to the past alive in Cork County. This is a must see for anyone looking to better understand the conflicts that shaped our nation.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey said “Cork County Council has an important duty to preserve, enrich and support local cultural heritage, and this exhibition in Bandon highlights how the work that happens in the sector here, whether community and voluntary led or engaged by professional and academic historians, feeds into the national understanding of the past and our place in relation to it. This is also a fantastic showcase of the range of learning opportunities available in our libraries, sitting in the newly opened state of the art Bandon Library,”

The War of Independence and Civil War Exhibition will be available to view at Newmarket, Bantry and Youghal libraries over the coming months, with additional locations to be announced. Cork County Council’s Commemorations Committee is available to assist with queries on the exhibition and can be reached at commemorations@corkcoco.ie.

National Volunteer Week

 National Volunteer is fast approaching and we would encourage you all to show your appreciation to your volunteers throughout the week of May 16th - May 22nd 2022. 

 

Events Ideas:

There is so much scope for events you can organise to say "THANK YOU" to your  volunteers during the week but here are some ideas of what could work:

• Coffee and Chat for volunteers (In Person / Virtual)
• Partner with a local coffee shop who will give volunteers a free coffee on a specific day or across the week
• Party/celebration/thank you event for volunteers
• Arrange a talk or workshop for volunteers e.g.: on biodiversity, on mental health, on local events and
festivals, yoga etc.

Self-harm webinar

 

Sanctuary Runners, Joggers & Walkers (Fermoy)

Please see below information and attached information on the recently formed Sanctuary Runners Fermoy Group.  Also, this is a link to their newly created Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/sanctuaryrunnersfermoy

 

Sanctuary Runners Fermoy - Saturday morning 10am

The aim of Sanctuary Runners over the coming months is to use running, jogging and walking to bring all in the town together - especially those who have moved to the area from elsewhere - and that, of course, includes our new Ukrainian friends. You don't have to be a runner to join! It's all completely free.

 

Wishing you a very Happy Easter!

 

East Cork Municipal District Announce Paint Scheme

 

Cork County Council’s East Cork Municipal District has announced the 2022 Paint Programme which will provide a financial assistance to building owners and occupiers in the main streets of both Youghal and Midleton towns.

The fund will allow for investment in the visual appearance and maintenance of commercial buildings by way of a maximum of a 50% grant towards painting a business facade in both towns.  A similar grant is also available for ‘heritage type’ signage over shop fronts.

For the first time, the painting scheme will also extend to the key villages of Killeagh, Castlemartyr and Cloyne.

It is hoped that the programme will help to improve the character, appearance and overall attractiveness of these historic and valued areas across East Cork.

For further information on the scheme contact Cork County Council, Mall House, Youghal, telephone 024-92926 or email eastcorkmd@corkcoco.ie

The closing date for applications is Friday 22nd April 2022.

Launch of ‘Be Summer-Ready’ Information Campaign

 The Government today launched the ‘Be Summer-Ready’ 2022 Public Safety Information Campaign. This campaign provides advice across a wide range of topics on staying safe this summer. The focus of this campaign is to “Minding your Mental Health this Summer”.

The campaign was jointly launched by the Minister for Defence and Chair of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, Ms. Mary Butler T.D. and Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics, Ms. Hildegarde Naughton T.D.

Minister Coveney said, “As we begin to take advantage of the longer days and better weather, we want everyone to be able to enjoy our work and leisure activities in safety. We wish to encourage people to be self-reliant but also to recognise when help is needed and where to get it.”

The Department of Health is the parent Department of the HSE and speaking at the launch, Minister Butler said, “Keeping active can help protect both your physical and mental health, and summer is a great time to try something new. Outdoor activities are very safe in the context of Covid; making the most of the good weather and longer evenings is so valuable.”

Today’s launch also heard of the importance of the Irish Coast Guard and the role it plays during the summer months. Minister Naughton said, “It is important to be aware of water safety and the message from the Irish Coast Guard in regards to coastal areas and water based activities is to PAUSE;

• make a Plan before you go in or near the water which should include how to raise an alarm should you be required to do so. Ensure that you let somebody know where you are going and what time to expect you back.
• Always ensure that you have a means of communication be it a VHF radio, fully charged mobile phone, flares or an electronic locator Beacon. Always wear a Lifejacket or Personal Floatation Device if engaging in any form of boat activity including kayaking and canoeing.
• Use readily available information and spend some time familiarising yourself with the prevailing conditions and be alert to tide times and weather forecasts.
• Seek help immediately if you or somebody else you observe is in difficulty.
• Enjoy the summer outdoors safely and act responsibly.”

The ‘Be Summer-Ready’ campaign is a ‘Whole of Government’ initiative to provide information to the general public on potential risks which may affect them during the summer months. The campaign’s messages will be delivered through internet and social media based information platforms across Government and by the provision of a ‘Be Summer-Ready’ information booklet and audio files and a ‘Minding your Mental Health this Summer’ leaflet 

LGBTQI+ Awareness Training

 

SHEP April to June 2022 Community Education for Health & Wellbeing Short Courses

  April to June 2022 programme of SHEP Community Education for Health & Wellbeing short courses (20 hour). There are a few places remaining.  An application form is also attached.  All of these courses are at No Charge and are supported with tutor hours through Cork ETB. There are both on-line and in-person options. Please pass on the information to people you think might benefit from the opportunity and who might be interested to know of them or to apply. Details on Website at https://www.socialandhealth.com/short-courses-in-the-community/.

 

Cork County Council Community Support Ukrainian Refugees

 Cork County Council’s Community Support Programme is coordinating a community-led response to provide assistance and support to Ukrainian refugees as they are accommodated around Cork County.

 

Enquiries can be made by email: communityforum@corkcoco.ie or phoning 021-4386637 (9am-5pm)

https://www.corkcoco.ie/

Upcoming HSE Health & Wellbeing Events

 Masculinities and Men’s Health Webinar

 

HSE Health and Wellbeing will host the first in a series of webinars on Masculinities and Men’s Health on the 26^th April from 12:00 – 13:00. You can register here: https://bit.ly/3wWX4v8. This webinar will focus on farmer’s health and highlight the newly launched research report on the Farmers Have Hearts initiative. This series of webinars is brought to you in partnership with the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, the National Centre for Men’s Health Research in IT Carlow, and the Men’s Development Network.

 

Tobacco Endgame, Nobody Left Behind Conference Save the Date: 31^st May 2022

Family Information Sessions by The Crystal Project.

 A second block of six week sessions beginning on Thursday 12^th May. They will run for six consecutive Thursdays until  16^th June, 7-9pm in Mallow

A range of topics will be covered including:

• An overview of dementia  
• Changing relationships
• Communication
• Legal issues
• Understanding behaviour
• Engaging in activities
• Safety at home
• Looking after yourselves
• Accessing information and support
• Personal care
• Nutrition and eating well
• 
  

To apply, go to https://www.crystalproject.ie/family-information-sessions-full-new-dates-added-spring-2022/

Mallow Community Health Project: Climb with Charlie