CLADDAGH REPORT
Crisis Support: 0403 972 265
13/15 Bonner Drive Malaga 6090. Enquiries: 08 9249 9213
www.claddagh.org.au Covid-19: Claddagh’s response COVID-19 has had a significant effect on Claddagh’s work and activities. The committee has indefinitely postponed Claddagh’s face to face Seniors events, volunteer trainings, and visiting activities with Seniors. Our coordinator, Anne Wayne continues to staff our office, but it is now only open by appointment. The Seniors subcommittee have undertaken the task of personally calling every Claddagh Senior. These calls have been a great chance to catch up with our Seniors friends, check that they are keeping well during COVID-19, assess whether they need any extra support or financial help, and find out who would like to receive weekly calls from a Claddagh volunteer. These initial calls are almost finished, and we will shortly begin matching those Seniors who have asked for weekly calls with Claddagh volunteers who are keen to help. We’ve created a page on our website which we’ll update with news and share our latest resources claddagh.org.au/1690-2/. Give us a like on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay in touch!
REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT Claddagh’s mission to help and support members of the Irish community in difficult circumstances has never been so necessary as during COVID-19. To give you an idea of the scale of demand for our services we’ve compared our work with last year. During 2018-2019, Claddagh responded to 59 requests for support. In the ten months of the 20192020 year, Claddagh have responded to 167 requests for support. This includes 118 requests for support
during the pandemic. So far, during the 6 weeks of COVID-19, Claddagh have responded to exactly double the requests we received in the previous year. Claddagh’s support work during COVID-19 has covered three main areas – returning to Ireland, remaining lawfully in Australia and dealing with financial difficulties because of job loss. Many people have needed support and information about returning home to Ireland, including availability of flights, exemptions for travel, requirements on entering Ireland and referrals to support organisations in Ireland. Immediate travel back to Ireland is not an option for some Irish here on temporary visas and we have supported these people with visa information and referrals. Grateful thanks to Patricia Halley, Visa4You, and Tony Coates, both of whom are Claddagh members and migration agents. They volunteer their expertise not only to Claddagh but occasionally to Irish support organisations in other Australian states too. With their help Claddagh developed a visa infographic about the best way to remain lawfully in Australia in common visa scenarios. You can find the latest version of the infographic on our website: claddagh.org.au/ covid-19-visa-information/ The widespread job losses during COVID-19 have hit immigrants on temporary visas particularly hard. We have received many queries from Irish who are now unemployed, living off savings and making enormous efforts to find new jobs. Claddagh are supporting these people with advice and focussing our financial assistance on those within this group who are in crisis and whose current circumstances pose a threat to their life or wellbeing.
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