The new Empowering Communities Programme aims to empower local communities to craft their own responses to area based poverty, social exclusion and the resulting consequences. This programme will initially be targeted in the Athy Area.
The aim is to enhance the Citizens’ voices in Athy and allow others to have their voice heard for the first time. We hope to identify areas of overlap and gaps in services that we can then try to close collectively. This will be a people-focused, capacity building and collaborative effort.
Having the voice of the community both empowered and engaged will help to ensure this initiative has a sustainable future. There is a significant body of work to be done in developing and facilitating relationships between the local community and other relevant stakeholders.
To Find out more about Empowering Communities Programme in Athy please contact Jason at the number and email below:
The residents of Athy West Urban welcomed the first raised beds to the community house today. This is part of a collaborative piece of work with the residents and neighbourhood network. The hope is to establish a community garden within the area. Thanks to the guys in the alternative project who built the raised bed.
Empowering Communities Athy was very proud to support 16 participants in starting their Security Institute of Ireland( SII) with QQI Level 4, this week. This training was put in place from engagement between residents of athy west urban and Empowering Communities. Security Institute of Ireland( SII) with QQI Level 4, is a three year qualification, the security field with so many opportunities. Big thanks to JP and Stephen from safety and security solutions who delivered the training.
What a frighteningly good week we had, the residents of athy west urban and Empowering Communities.
Over the week of mid-term, the ECP supported over 80 children of the area, with events during the week off.
We also had a huge cleanup within the five estates which was very successful. The residents collected and deposited rubbish in the skips, in a collaborative initiative with Kildare County Council
Some of the events were movies and fancy dress, old-school street games, swimming sessions and sensory play classes.
Empowering Communities Programme launched an exciting engagement project last year with the residents of Athy West Urban Area. The top issue raised? Road safety in the estates.
To tackle this, we teamed up with Kildare County Council (KCC) and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to upgrade road signage and markings. But that’s not all!
We also consulted with parents and children who use their bikes regularly, and as a result, we introduced bike safety classes.
Last night, children from the estates joined us to learn all about safe cycling. They had a blast riding their bikes, learning the rules of the road, and conquering a cycling obstacle course!
A big thank you to everyone who made it possible! Together, we’re making our communities safer and more fun!
Empowering communities travelled with a group of residents from our area on a trip to Carlow to visit some of the community allotments and community gardens.
Everybody learned a lot about what can be achieved with some determination, motivation, drive and a sprinkle of imagination from raised beds, greenhouses, growing vegetables and flowers and even raising chicken and ducks.
Looking at the vegetable patches among the flower beds and recycling of bottles were thrown away to build walls and seating areas and the way it all worked together to build something beautiful.
A visit to Delta sensory garden completed our day with lunch and a beautiful walk among the gardens there.
Many thanks, Athy West Urban Community Group, Claire, Deirdre Seanie our Driver, Empowering Communities Athy, Our Shared Plate, Sláintecare Healthy Communities Athy, and Creative Places Athy.
IN THE BAG was back for the new semester.
On Monday IN THE BAG returned for its second year, the initiative supported 65 primary aged children with returning to school. IN THE BAG covered school bags, water bottles, and full stationery for the upcoming academic year in primary school.
Sláintecare were also on hand to provide, healthy food,fruit and smoothies for the children as they picked up their packs. It was amazing to see the joy and excitement in the kids faces talking about returning to school.
Empowering Communities Programme Athy, supporting participants after working hard all day and successfully being awarded their safe pass.
Yesterday seen another productive day with the delivery of safe pass, congratulations to all the people who attended the intensive day of learning.
We had all the little scientists out this morning move over Einstein and Darwin.
What a great morning exploring the wetlands and getting close to nature, carrying out the Woodstock Biodiversity Survey.
The initiative was planned by Woodstock Artists in Residence. Supported by Empowering communities Programme, Creative Places, KCC, The Heritage Council, Local Authority Waters and Sláintecare Healthy Communities.
The creative minds were at it again last week.
The empowering communities supported children of all abilities with art and craft classes.
The imagination was running wild as the kids enjoyed expressing themselves through arts and play. Thanks to Tribe Art for the delivery of the classes for the kids.
Empowering Communities were proud to support the residents of St. Dominic’s Park yesterday to celebrate St.Dominic’s Day.
Despite rain, the residents came out in numbers to come together for prayer and refreshments after.
Some ideas were exchanged regarding the estate and the residents forming a cafe for monthly meet-ups.
Empowering Communities gathered up all the want to be bikers today.
As summer is here many children of athy west urban are wanting to get on their bike, however many have bikes that for whatever reason don’t work anymore.
Empowering communities with the support of John from Infinity Cycles athy held a mini bike restoration workshop today in the community house.
All the kids were very interested in learning how to fix, maintain and restore their bikes. Many of the kids were not afraid to get their hands dirty which was great and many helped out with the fixing of the bikes.
Some residents of Athy west urban, identified the grotto in the estate of in need of some TLC.
Great work was carried out with the support of empowering communities and also Brian from the TUS Programme . People power at its best.
Chair yoga is “back up and sitting”
The community house welcomes back the health and wellbeing aspect of holistic physical and mental health maintenance. With a strong bond growing between the participants with chats and laughter feeling good. Chair Yoga is a gentle form of exercise for keeping muscle tone and keeping fit.
Empowering Communities programme was out in full support today for Men’s health week. With a busy day planned, ECP took its place beside, Sláintecare, HSE and Kildare sports partnership to chat and listen to people and highlight Men’s all round health.
We’re getting the team together for the summer. After long consultation with residents of Athy West Urban one of the biggest issues was the green area upkeep.
Many of the residents said they would tackle this if they had the means to do so.
In response to this ECP brought together residents from the five estates to be trained in the operating of small machines.
This included the safe operating of ride on lawnmower, high pressure washer, hedge clippers, strimmers and leaf blowers to name a few. This team are now in a position to attend to the upkeep of their area safety and efficiency.
Thanks to Martin from FRS training for the delivery of the 3 year certificate to the residents.
Super day with the community. On Friday the empowering communities programme and Sláintecare supported the neighbourhood network in a Street feast which was held in athy west urban. The event was attended by young and old.
This event was to promote the benefits of community initiatives such as community gardening, community ovens etc and communities working together.
Thanks to Michelle and Deirdre from neighbourhood network who engaged with the residents in attendance and KSP for their support to have activities for the children.
Community Addiction Studies
Embarking on this journey with insights gathered from last summer’s discussions with residents regarding educational initiatives, Community Addiction Studies (CAS) emerged as a top priority.
Building upon these conversations, collaborative efforts were initiated with Empowering Communities and the KW, we are thrilled to announce the commencement of CAS classes, with two separate sessions to accommodate participants.
Under the guidance of Rachel from KWETB, participants are assured of excellent support. This program offers a QQI Level 5 award, serving as a standalone qualification or as the initial step towards various employment opportunities.
Wishing all participants the best of luck on this exciting endeavour.
” Machines at the ready”
The first sewing machine maintenance workshop was delivered yesterday in the community house.
The training was to bring old machines back to life. This was the first of two workshops to be rolled out. With people dusting off their Machines and getting them back into working order empowers them to tackle clothing alterations, bag making and clothing repairs.
These skills could help with school uniforms, communion dress alterations, supporting people and empowering them to addressing the cost of such events as back to school and others.
Big thanks again to Rosaleen who delivered the workshop. The ladies were even given a small gift on completion of the class.
Empowering communities were very happy to support with the efforts of Sláintecare Healthy Communities Health Awareness Week.
Despite the weather it was great to see people availed of the free blood pressure and pulse testing.
“It’s off to lullymore we go”
With Easter fast approaching the Empowering communities programme called a planning meeting with Athy West Urban committee.
This was to plan the areas second annual Easter event. The residents were all on board and to continue on from last year’s event, when a Easter egg litter pick was held., this year the committee agreed that Lullymore Heritage and Discovery park was the place to be.
With the Easter holidays in full flow the children and adults of Athy West Urban travelled to Lullymore to find the Easter bunny. Monday the 1st of April , 87 residents set out to Lullymore on this quest, the excitement, laughs, giggles and great fun was had by all.
A selection of wonderful pictures …
With the community house becoming more busy, It was identified that the community shed would have to be brought back on line.
Supporting the residents, Empowering communities advocated and reach out to KCC on this matter.
As it stood there was no access to the shed as it had been sealed up for years.
On Tuesday 2nd of April the shed was reopened to the community house, special thanks to KCC.
The first phase was completed with the entrance finished into the community yard, talks have begun to finish the project with the installation of security gates.
Bakers at the ready……
On the 25th of March empowering communities hosted a information morning with the residents of Athy West Urban Community. This information morning followed on from a consultation meeting where the residents had highlighted they would like to explore baking, cake design and bread making.
The consensus was to help with more home baking. Sixteen residents are happy to go get cooking on the 5/6 week course (excuse the bun, sorry pun). Starting date will be arranged in the coming weeks.
As the world celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8th, a heartwarming encounter unfolded in Athy West Urban. While attending festivities, some residents had impromptu conversations with members of a budding community residing on the outskirts of Athy.
In just a week’s time, these residents approached Empowering Communities with a compassionate initiative aimed at supporting the newcomers and their families. With swift coordination, a plan took shape, culminating in a remarkable event on March 21st. Led by the residents, a toy and clothing drive unfolded at the Townspark community house.
The response was nothing short of extraordinary, as donations poured in from the generous folks of the area. Packed with books, toys, and clothing, the residents, after consulting with other support services, embarked on a mission to deliver these treasures.
Accompanied by Empowering Communities and Regina from SICAP, the residents ventured forth. What ensued was truly inspirational as members of the new community warmly welcomed the traveling party. Parents and children engaged in heartfelt conversations and joyful play, fostering a sense of camaraderie and hope.
After consulting with residents of Athy West Urban, it was identified that obtaining a safe pass was a barrier for a lot of people attempting to gain employment.
Taking this on board Empowering Communities Athy with the support of SICAP went about prioritising this training. Today was that day and we welcomed 16 participants to the safe pass training day.
Thanks to Anthony from EDS training solutions who delivered the workshop. Another example of working together on solutions to empowering individuals and communities.
Scrub a Dub Dub….
Big turn out for the Empowering Communities soap making workshop, facilitated by Rosaleen Kelly.
With over 20 participants taking part and also taking home hand made soaps.
Thanks to Rosaleen Kelly who delivered the workshop, and all the wonderful ladies who came to the centre and spent a great morning of creativity and camaraderie together.
Beep beep, we got a ticket to drive.
Great turn out for the Driving theory test held today and yesterday.
The empowering communities programme had the pleasure of supporting 16 people taking the first step in the path of achieving their driving licence.
Big thanks to the VDH for hosting the event. Also to the people who turned up to do the classes.
The first morning of stress management workshop, was held today.
Helping people to self manage stress and anxiety.
New year, new skills to help handle all challenges.
The workshop was delivered by Suzanne Hughes from Tranquility Wellbeing.
Workshops will be continuing on Friday mornings for the next 5 weeks.
Some of the participants beginning their two modules Understanding Mental health and Holistic Recovery respectively level 5 QQI with the training delivered by Barrow Training for the next 8 weeks.
The training is being delivered in the The Dara Project Athy two days a week.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES.
Out with the old and in with the new, what a way to start 2024!
The residents of Athy West Urban had a clean up on the 6th of January, with many hands making light work in the estates. Well done to everyone who took part and helped out.
