With the partial lifting of restrictions this week, some of the Tús workers can return to work in their estates. I had a chat with Terry Barry the Tús Supervisor for Newbridge, and one of his participants Mick Devereaux who is back this week in Rosconnell Community.

Terry shares with us:

“The Newbridge Tús Scheme was started in 2011. During this  time it has supported most of the non profit organisations in and around the Newbridge area. At this moment in time the scheme has 27 participants who are supporting 13 host groups.Some of the host groups we are supporting at the moment include the NCBI, ,St Vincent de Paul, The Day Care Centre Newbridge, Le Cheile Rosconnell Community Group, Age Action, Jack and Jill and various others.

During my time I’ve had a number of  participants who have  improved their skill sets which has given them the opportunity to progress to either further training or employment. I believe that the programme also helps some participants deal with some of the social issues surrounding long term unemployment such as lack of confidence isolation and social exclusion.It can be a tough job and no two days are the same, but I enjoy meeting and helping people so its a job I really enjoy”.

It’s a glorious sunny day in Rosconnell, when we chat with Mick, I have never quite seen anyone as happy pottering around doing his job, Mick is the caretaker in the Estate and does small jobs and maintains the park area and the green. He explains to me how the flowers and the gardening are his pride and joy and loves taking care of the children’s park.

“Rosconnell was 10 years old in 2018, and we had just won pride of place …. we got our estate stone set in place, when I first became the Tús worker here. I live here in Rosconnell and it is great to be a participant on the Tús scheme, I love helping out in the community I live in. It was strange being away from it during the Covid-19 lock-down but I am glad to be back at work now. I  have all the PPE I need and I was given an Induction by Terry before I came back to work. It is nice to be secure and happy and know all I have to do is call Terry, or County Kildare LEADER Partnership.”

 

If you want to find out about the Tús Scheme – Please visit : https://www.countykildarelp.ie/programmes/tus/

and Rosconnell Community Centre can be found on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/Rosconnell.Community.Centre