Turas Transformational Recovery Programme

TuRAS Counselling Services are a Dundalk based not for profit organisation who offer a range of free confidential supports to people at all stages of addiction.

Based at 59 Clanbrassil Street they work with people from across the north East region who present at different stages of the addiction cycle.

Turas will host a free ‘Transformational Recovery Programme’ starting on March 13th which will take place on Monday’s and Tuesdays from 10-3:30pm for fifteen weeks. The programme is designed to create an understanding, non-judgemental and supportive environment. It helps people to personally develop in their recovery from addiction.

The programme runs two days a week with a weekly two hour group session for new participants to familiarize themselves with a therapeutic group. A range of workshops are offered on topics including relationships, relapse prevention, anger management etc underpinned by a focus on building a better future using a backdrop of nature, art and drama.

The course is suitable for people who are over 18 years of age, one month drug/alcohol free, available to engage in two full days of group work a week for fifteen weeks and able attend one counselling session per week.

If on a methadone programme, the client must be stabilized for a period of one month. If there are past mental health concerns, the clients current mental health must be stable. If on prescribed medication, the service user must be medication compliant. This service is provided free of charge to recovering substance misusers within the north East area who fulfil the above criteria. For further information email info@turascounselling.ie or call 0429338221 or 0429338224.

Venture Scouts represent Dundalk

WORLD Scouting celebrate 100 years of Jamboree in 2023 and a group of Venture Scouts from Dundalk are frantically fundraising to enable them to participate in this truly historic expedition.

One of the highlights of their tireless fundraising endeavours takes place in the Marshes Shopping Centre, Dundalk on Saturday 4th March and Sunday 5th March.

The Venture Scouts are challenging themselves to traverse the distance from their Scout Hall on Castletown Road to the Jamboree venue in kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland.

For this group of Venture Scouts, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They will meet with young people from around the world; whilst challenged with robust hikes high in the Swiss Alps, high-energy activities, workshops on sustainability, global events and youth trends.

Dundalk can proudly declare an historic legacy to the origins of World Scouting. The founding father of Scouting, Lord Robert Baden Powell, was sta- tioned in Dundalk Aiken barracks between 1894 and 1895. Whilst stationed in Dundalk, he voluntarily instructed soldiers in Ravensdale Forest Park in skills which he thought would be useful to them.

Within 11 years, Lord Baden Powell wrote a book entitled “Scouting for Boys”. This publication is generally regarded as the start of the World Scout movement.

Dundalk can claim another unique legacy to World Scouting; one of the first scout groups in Ireland was established adjacent to St Vincent’s Secondary

School, indeed a plaque is displayed to this day.

With all this unique history on our doorstep, it’s no wonder that our Venture Scout Group are keen to represent Dundalk Town at the 100th celebration of Scout jamborees.

The Jamboree will take place in the Swiss Alps in kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland, over 12 days, from 27th July to 8th August 2023.

All donations towards their exciting and historic expedition will be very welcome. Further information is available from stpatricksscoutgroup@gmail.com.