MAUREEN O’CONNELL BEQUEST REPORT
A Living Legacy St Vincent de Paul GALWAY
CONTENTS
PAGES
Introduction
The Maureen O’Connell Bequest ........................................................................................... 1
Supporting Families ................................................................................................................. 3
Empowering Individuals ........................................................................................................ 11
Enabling Communities ........................................................................................................... 15
Maureen O’Connell Bequest Facts & Figures ....................................................................... 25
WELCOME TO THE MAUREEN O’CONNELL BEQUEST REPORT Twelve years ago, the St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) in Galway received an unexpected legacy from the estate of the late Miss Maureen O’Connell. The purpose of the Report is to indicate how the bequest left by the late Maureen O’Connell to St. Vincent de Paul in Galway has been used now that the fund is drawing to a close. The primary use of the bequest has been to provide funding for new and existing St. Vincent de Paul projects and developments in Galway City and County. In addition, it has been used to provide assistance to families and individuals in situations which fall outside the normal remit of St. Vincent de Paul local Conferences (Groups). This has freed-up funding from public donations to be used to help others. It has also been possible to support a number of groups who are providing wonderful and much needed support to the vulnerable and marginalised in our community but who saw their funding cut substantially or withdrawn completely due to the economic downturn. The Maureen O’Connell Bequest is administered by a sub-committee of St. Vincent de Paul West Region Council on a voluntary basis. It is important to acknowledge the work of past presidents, members, volunteers and staff who, through their individual expertise, experience and enthusiasm, have achieved this result. Finally, and most importantly, on behalf of everyone involved, we want to give sincere thanks to the late Maureen O’Connell without whom none of this would have been possible. We think she would approve of how her gift has been used and we believe that our work has left a lasting memorial to her name. Miss O’Connell’s legacy has been used to support families, empower individuals and enhance quality of life in communities throughout Galway City and County. The way families, individuals and communities have benefitted from this very generous bequest are told in the pages of this report.
Harry Kenney Chairman MOCF Sub-Committee West Region Council St. Vincent de Paul
Michael McCann President West Region Council St. Vincent de Paul
THE MAUREEN O’CONNELL BEQUEST Maureen O’Connell, the proprietor of O’Connell’s public house in Eyre Square, Galway City, left the residual proceeds of her estate to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) “for the general purposes and objects of the said Society in Galway City and County”. The amount received by the Society, €7.73 million, was at that time the largest bequest ever received by a charitable organisation in Ireland. This unexpected blessing came with huge responsibilities for the voluntary membership of the Society. How could we use this fund to honour Miss O’Connell’s wishes, while also tackling the root causes of poverty and social exclusion in Galway City and County? This was the question that the members of the Society had to grapple with. Given the scale of the legacy, St. Vincent de Paul in Galway viewed it as an opportunity to invest in lasting changes for families and communities to break the cycle of poverty. Extensive research and development work was carried out by SVP members throughout Galway on a range of projects which it was hoped would become a reality with the support of the Maureen O’Connell Bequest. A Project Manager was appointed and structures and processes were put in place to facilitate funding applications and a series of facilitated consultation meetings were held. Invitees included all SVP members in Galway City and County, the West Region President, the SVP National Board and SVP National Office staff. SVP service users and representatives of groups which worked with communities in need in Galway city and county were also included.
The Maureen O’Connell Bequest
The consultation meetings involved the participants identifying their vision for the Maureen O’Connell Bequest, compatible with the SVP vision and mission statement, and identifying key themes and initiatives that could be funded. A strategic plan was agreed.
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Gaps in existing services were identified, which could be potentially filled by projects funded by the Maureen O’Connell Bequest and key criteria were developed including the needs of the community, the capacity of the applicant group to implement the project, compliance with the aims of the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Maureen O’Connell Bequest Strategic Plan and the overall sustainability of the project.
At all times there is awareness that SVP has a burden of responsibility to use Miss O’Connell’s bequest wisely and each year there is a requirement to complete financial statements and an annual audit including an independent auditor’s report. Every year the independent auditor has confirmed that the financial processes and controls are appropriate and effective. To date, 95 projects have been funded. Of these, 61% were capital and equipment projects, 29% were towards operational costs and the remaining 10% were used to provide direct assistance to households in need. 92% of projects funded were initiatives of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and local SVP Conferences throughout the city and county and 8% were initiatives of non-SVP organisations.
The Maureen O’Connell Bequest
Community initiatives accounted for 48%, family projects were allocated 38% and projects for individuals received 14%. Over 3,000 households throughout the city and county have benefitted from direct assistance from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest, and there have been over 8,500 participants in family and community programmes. In addition, there were 186 grants to individuals and families under the Maureen O’Connell Special Fund.
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SUPPORTING FAMILIES Under the Family Aspect of the Strategic Plan, the Maureen O’Connell Fund has been used to support families experiencing difficulties and enable family members to enjoy an enhanced quality of life and an expanded range of life choices. The articles and stories in this section show how the Maureen O’Connell Fund has been used to enhance family life throughout the city and county.
Developing a holistic approach to St. Vincent de Paul Visitation: Family structures can take many forms and members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul have first-hand knowledge of the many challenging situations facing families today from their weekly visitation work. A core Vincentian activity, visitation is the main mechanism through which the Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides material and/or moral support to people experiencing poverty and social exclusion.
“The Society’s visitation work plays a vital role in the lives of many struggling people. During our home visits we can bear witness to the pain, uncertainty and despair of those who simply do not have enough to live on.”
In recent times, however, family needs have become more complex. In order to help members meet these changing circumstances a study by OCS Consulting was commissioned. The plan was two-fold: to assist our members in developing a more rounded model of visitation that responds to the needs of the families they are visiting and to draw out the knowledge, skills and experience of members so that they would be more confident in dealing with increasingly complex situations.
Supporting Families
The study was funded through the Maureen O’Connell Bequest and comprised workshop meetings with members of SVP Conferences in Galway City and County, in-depth telephone interviews with families who have been visited by the Society and interviews with representatives of relevant voluntary, community and statutory organisations.
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Based on the views expressed by members of the Society, families and key staff in support organisations, the research generated a picture of what a holistic model of home visitation might look like and identified a number of changes to current practice necessary for the development of this model.
Support to St. Vincent de Paul Local Conferences (Groups): The Maureen O’ Connell Bequest has also provided direct support to many families and individuals living with disadvantage in Galway City and County through grants to SVP Conferences. Funds were allocated to Conferences each year from 2010 to assist families at Christmas and households with exceptional needs.
Maureen O’Connell Special Fund: In 2013, the Maureen O’Connell Special Fund was set up. This is a dedicated fund to which SVP Conferences can apply for assistance for families and individuals experiencing a financial crisis as a result of unemployment, illness or disability where the amount of help needed is above the Conferences’ own limits. To date this fund has provided grants totalling over €685,000.
“Funds from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest distributed directly to the families in need have given many families a lifeline, especially at a time of great economic hardship in Ireland.”
St. Vincent de Paul Shops:
Supporting Families
Funding from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest has also provided assistance to local Conferences to set up St. Vincent de Paul shops called “Vincents”. These generate revenue to fund the visitation work of Conferences by supplying previously owned clothing and home items at a low price.
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Supporting Children’s Education and Family Training Programmes Early year’s education initiatives: International research has shown that quality early care and education bring a wide range of benefits for children’s well-being. The earliest life experiences are critical in the development of the human brain and in forming the skills and dispositions that are essential if children are to have firm foundations on which they can build their lives. Funding from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest has been used to support a number of innovative educational projects, all designed to enhance the quality of life for children and improve life opportunities for disadvantaged children.
One such project is the internationally recognised Incredible Years Programme. Molly, Wally and Dina are life-sized puppets which are at the heart of this programme developed by US-based academic Carolyn Webster Stratton. Supported by over 30 years of research, the pre-school programme fosters the social skills of children aged between three and five through collaborative-style programmes for children, parents and teachers.
Supporting Families
In co-operation with Galway City Partnership, training, resources and on-going support was delivered to six pre-schools in Galway City over a three-year period and over 444 children completed the programme.
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“The Incredible Years Programme reinforces all the things that children get right, while teaching parents how to support children’s positive behaviours, their problem solving and social skills.” The programme was evaluated by Dr. Michelle Millar of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at NUI Galway. Her report “Making a Difference” was published in 2012 and indicated that positive changes took place for children, parents and pre-school workers.
“It was clear from the evaluation of the Incredible Years Programme that it certainly appears to have been very beneficial for the children in that their social competencies improved, in some cases very significantly, as a result.” Based on the success of the Galway City project, the St. Vincent de Paul in Ballinasloe also received funding from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest to replicate this pre-school programme in its community. Funding was provided to St. Brigid’s Conference, Portumna, to assist families with pre-school fees in 2007 and 2008. This was prior to the introduction of the free pre-school year in 2010. The Children’s Language Development Project, an early intervention service for children with speech and language difficulties and/or autism, received funding from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest for equipment in 2008. Children aged 2-6 with language delay, Down syndrome or who have a diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum Disorder attend the Children’s Language Development Project where they are taught by staff with qualifications in psychology, childcare, education and experience in language development. Athenry Community Childcare Services (ACCS) received funding in 2010 and 2011 to enable 26 children each year from families experiencing disadvantage to avail of affordable, quality pre-school or after-school services.
Supporting Families
In Ballinasloe, the Maureen O’Connell Bequest enabled the purchase of new equipment for Ballinasloe Community Crèche. Located in a purpose-built facility, Ballinasloe Community Crèche provides much needed childcare support for children of disadvantaged families in Ballinasloe. The crèche works in partnership with parents, staff and children to provide a safe and secure learning environment for children and enables children to have positive and productive learning experiences during their time at the crèche.
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Primary and second level education projects: Research suggests that group-based after-school services have beneficial effects on both the socioemotional and academic development of children. A number of after-school services throughout Galway City and County received funding from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest. They included projects in Carrowbrowne Halting Site, Ballybane-Mervue, St Ita’s Girls National School and St. Brendan’s Boys National School, Loughrea, Scoil an Chroí Naofa Ballinasloe and Rahoon Family Centre. An environment conducive to study is essential for children, and this was a problem for children of asylum seekers in the Eglinton Hostel Direct Provision Centre in Salthill.In conjunction with Croí na Gaillimhe Resource Centre, a Homework Club was set up to provide homework support in designated rooms in the hostel. The club is operated by a co-ordinator and an assistant with volunteers who help the children with their assignments. Common to all the projects is enhanced confidence among the participating children and good attendance at school. These clubs and after-school projects assisted children with their homework and to develop lifelong learning skills.
Supporting Families
“The after-schools have enabled the children to build their confidence in their own ability and skills, starting with the confidence that comes from having their homework done when they go into school every day.”
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Early school leaving has an impact on future development. The School Completion Programme aims to have a significant positive impact on levels of pupil retention in schools. It is designed to be a locally based programme, addressing local needs. Funding was provided to Galway City East School Completion Programme to support a learning mentor initiative to support students to progress to leaving certificate level. The role of the learning mentor is primarily to develop a supportive one-to-one relationship with each student to assist them to overcome any difficulties they may be having which are impacting on their educational achievement.
“The learning mentoring has been a powerful and positive presence in the lives of the students. It has enabled those who would otherwise have left school early to proceed to the Leaving Certificate and plan a pathway to further training or education.”
Limited access to information technology was identified as a barrier to educational progress for some students from disadvantaged families in Oughterard. As part of the Naomh Cuimin Project, St. Cuimin’s Conference purchased a bank of 12 laptops which were loaned to students for the duration of their studies.
A very different kind of support was required for children with special needs in Ballinasloe. Housed in temporary accommodation in a business park in the centre of town, St. Teresa’s Special School had no safe outdoor play area for their students. The school decided to fundraise for a sensory garden and came to the attention of St. Michael’s Conference of St. Vincent de Paul in 2010. A successful application for funding to the Maureen O’Connell Bequest was made and the dream became a reality.
Supporting Families
“This project has made a real difference to the lives of the young people, giving them the opportunity to keep up with their course work and ensuring they could continue with their education.”
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Family management skills training: Managing a household budget can pose a huge challenge for families, especially for families on low income. In Oughterard, as part of the Naomh Cuimin Project implemented by St. Cuimin’s Conference, a home management programme including household budgeting and a range of other practical skills for family management was developed and delivered to families. In Galway City, a number of money management and budgetary courses were developed, aimed at reaching people marginalised from the wider community. The course content included topics including keeping a weekly budget, saving, energy efficiency, cookery on a budget and paying bills. The courses were co-funded by the Maureen O’Connell Bequest and the Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB).
“The partnership between the Maureen O’Connell Bequest and the GRETB has been successful as it has opened up the opportunity for money management training across communities and groups in Galway city and has attracted a large number of learners who would not have had access previously.”
Increasing family resilience: Resilience is a common word and many people have a sense that being resilient is a good thing. But what does really mean? And how can being resilient benefit families and individuals, especially when faced with challenges in life?
Supporting Families
“Resilience is more than just getting through or coping with a challenging situation, it involves positive growth to enable one to deal effectively with challenges. The aim of our work with families is a better life for parents and their children. Helping an individual or family to become resilient is part of our mission statement. We want to increase resiliency in families and children, to help them recover from whatever challenges they face.”
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Funding from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest has supported a number of projects aimed at promoting resilience in families. One such programme was the Strengthening Families Programme, a 14-week behavioural skills training programme developed by Dr. Karol Kumpfer, Professor of Health Promotion and Education at the University of Utah. Funding from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest has enabled the Strengthening Families Programme to recruit a Development Coordinator for the programme.
The Maureen O’Connell Bequest also funded a community based Family Support Worker for Loughrea Family and Community Resource Centre. Over 100 vulnerable clients have received support, enabling them to develop their strengths and skills. Offering support and friendship to parents with young children was the Home-Start Programme based in Athenry. Home Start volunteers support families by visiting the family regularly, offering friendship, emotional support and practical help. When one of the parents does not live in the family home, it can be a challenge to find a safe and neutral venue for the non-resident parent to spend time with their children. Time4Us is a play centre where nonresident parents and their children can interact in a fun-filled, relaxed environment. In operation since 2007, Time4Us is the first full time centre in Ireland where children can meet with their non-resident parents in a child-friendly neutral venue.
“The children have an opportunity to meet up with one or both of their parents on access visits.” The Croí na Gaillimhe Parents’ Network was developed as a result of collaboration between NUI Galway, Amnesty and the Rahoon Youth Project. Activities include coffee mornings with peer group discussion on selected topics relating to parenting, workshops and training courses.
Supporting Families
“These different projects have one common goal. They aim to empower family members with the skills needed to come through difficult times so that they can reach their full potential.”
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EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS Enshrined in the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s mission statement is a call to provide friendship and support to people living in poverty and social exclusion, to promote self-sufficiency and to tackle the causes of injustice. Through Maureen O’Connell’s bequest the Society has been able to reach out to individuals who are at risk of homelessness and also to open up opportunities for marginalised individuals and groups to access employment opportunities. The articles and stories in this section show how the Maureen O’Connell Fund has been used to empower individuals to address the challenges facing them throughout the city and county.
Addressing the accommodation needs of individuals at risk of homelessness: Homelessness is a growing problem across Ireland as families and individuals struggle to make ends meet and keep a roof over their heads.
“Breakdown of relationships, financial difficulties, personal addictions and mental health issues all contribute to the increase in our homeless population.” We were keen that the Maureen O’Connell Bequest would support projects which would address the accommodation needs of individuals who are at risk from homelessness and we were really pleased to be able to support COPE Galway’s Towards Independence Project as well as the Galway Simon Homelessness Project for young people.
Empowering Individuals
Homelessness however is not confined to any one group- it can affect all ages from the very young to the elderly. In Ballinasloe, St Michael’s Conference identified a need for sheltered housing for older people and a small community centre.
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Funding from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest was provided to St Michael’s Conference towards the cost of obtaining planning permission and preparing architects’ plans for the project. When completed, the project will provide 12 housing units developed by Cluid Housing Association. The Maureen O’Connell Bequest has also supported SVP social housing projects in Galway City, including the social housing apartments at Madeira Court and Rendu Court, and the refurbishment of St. Anthony’s Hostel.
Comprehensive upgrading of 18 apartments at Madeira Court was carried out with co-funding from SVP Galway Area Council and a significant contribution from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest. These were built in 1985 and badly needed external works such as wall and roof insulation as well as the replacement of an oil-fired central heating system with natural gas. We also replaced the windows and modernized kitchens and bathroom more accessible, safe and user-friendly fittings. Conscious of the increasing need for more social housing, the SVP purchased four apartments at Rendu Court in 2008 with funding from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest and a substantial social housing grant from Galway City Council. Located in Market St., St. Anthony’s Hostel is home to eight men and the refurbishment works upgraded the interior decoration and ensured full compliance with health and safety requirements.
Empowering Individuals
“It’s important to remember that real lives are behind the homeless figures we hear on the news”. Upgrading accommodation, investing in additional social housing and supporting step down programmes makes a real and tangible difference to the lives of people who are homeless and are socially excluded.”
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Supporting enterprise and enhancing employment opportunities: Losing a job or having to close a business has a detrimental effect on an individual and their family. Not only does it have a negative impact on a family’s financial affairs but it can have a devastating effect on a person’s self-esteem. Research has shown that unemployed workers are twice as likely as their employed counterparts to experience psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, low sense of well-being and poor self-esteem. Founded in 2009, WIN, West of Ireland Networking, assisted unemployed people in ways that existing services could not and many still cannot help with. A networking and support organisation, WIN worked to renew people’s self-esteem, build their confidence and break the cruel cycle of social isolation that comes with losing a job or a business.
Empowering Individuals
Funding from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest was used to support the organisation from 2009 to 2013 and enabled it to grow from a voluntary network to a not for profit organisation that transformed people’s lives. Participants speaking when the organisation wound down its services in May 2014 praised the valuable contacts they made at the networking sessions which often led to job opportunities.
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“WIN provided unemployed people with support through the really dark days of the recession. We were delighted that the Maureen O’Connell Bequest was able to assist them in opening up new opportunities for individuals.” The Traveller Enterprise Development Initiative aims to bridge the gap between Traveller entrepreneurs and state agencies that support enterprise development. Pioneered by the Galway Traveller Movement, the project received funding from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest for two years.
“Traveller families account for a significant proportion of SVP visitation clients in Galway city and county. The Society was keen to work with the Galway Traveller Movement on projects which would enhance the opportunities available to members of the Travelling community.” Over a three-year period, the Maureen O’Connell Bequest supported an innovative project addressing the needs of long term unemployed people who have an interest in music. One of the longest running schemes in the country, the Access Music Project has had an 85% success rate, with participants gaining employment or going on to further education opportunities. Funding was provided while Access Music Project implemented a fundraising plan.
Empowering Individuals
“Before I signed up for Access Music Project I was very shy personally and musically not at all confident of myself. I never sang in front of people; I always sang in choirs but not on my own. The encouragement from others was unreal and everyone was gunning for you. From first time I sang in front of the group it snowballed – the atmosphere was so positive, I didn’t get so nervous on stage and got through the song. Now I sing solo, have my own group that sings at weddings and I am training to teach others to sing.”
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ENABLING COMMUNITIES Under the Community aspect of the Strategic Plan, the Maureen O’Connell Fund has been used to support and enable communities, especially disadvantaged communities, to become more active, resilient and integrated.
Supporting community resilience: “We tend to think of a community as a group of people who live in a particular place but the Maureen O’Connell Fund has also been used to support ‘communities of interest’ formed by people who share the same needs.” Community resilience projects supported by the Maureen O’Connell Fund have assisted communities to grow and become stronger by providing training to community leaders, supporting ‘hard-to-reach’ groups within communities, promoting intercultural integration, and promoting positive mental health.
Developing community leadership: Community leadership projects supported include the Bohermore Community Project (BCP). This project developed out of the work of the Little Sisters of the Assumption in Bohermore. Over the years a variety of groups were set up in the area, from a community preschool to activity clubs for young people, women and older people, and the sisters had a very good relationship with the local SVP Conference, St. Brendan’s. In 2011 the sisters handed the project over to the local community. The need to employ a parttime Coordinator was identified and Bohermore Community Project applied to the Maureen O’Connell Fund with the support of St. Brendan’s Conference.
Enabling Communities
Another project that had an impact in the area of community leadership was the INCA (Intercultural Network of Community Activists) project, a community leadership training course which took place at Croí na Gaillimhe in 2012. Organised by the Galway Refugee Support Group, the course was designed to help members of the refugee community to become actively involved in their local communities. The feedback from the participants was hugely positive.
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“This course has opened my mind and it has been a stepping stone for me.” “I developed confidence, communication skills and I know myself better. We shared experience, skills and knowledge, listening skills and gained an insight into the community.”
Supporting ‘hard-to-reach’ groups or communities: Supporting ‘hard-to-reach’ groups or communities on the fringes of society has been a key focus for the Maureen O’Connell Fund. Most men are reluctant to talk about their emotions or ask for help and as a result tend to suffer more from isolation, loneliness and depression. Unemployment, relationship breakdown, early retirement from a job, loss of children following divorce, or physical or mental illness are just some of the problems that men find it hard to deal with on their own.
Tackling the isolation of men living in Galway has been high on the agenda of Croí na Gaillimhe Resource Centre who have set up a weekly men’s group. Participants in the group include men who have experienced homelessness and life challenges. For two hours every week it provides a safe space for the men’s self-expression, socialising and personal development.
Enabling Communities
Men’s Sheds have been springing up all over Ireland in recent years in response to a need from men for an alcohol-free environment to gather and socialise with other men. The Maureen O’Connell Fund has supported a number of Men’s Sheds projects including the Cumman na bhFear Men’s Shed group in Sandy Road, the Eastside Men’s Shed group in Ballybane, An Seid Men’s Shed in Carraroe and Portumna Men’s Shed.
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Building integration: Croí na Gaillimhe is also to the forefront in developing and implementing models of intercultural integration. Croí na Gaillimhe’s volunteer programme encourages and welcomes volunteers of all nationalities, including asylum seekers and refugees, to work together at the centre.
“I realised this was a place where I could get involved with the community here in Galway. I was lonely with little to do all day, but then I saw that there were people here who were in the same situation and I realised that I am not alone.” Fáilte Isteach, the community based conversational English language programme at Croí na Gaillimhe, brings together students from all over the world with the common goal of improving their English language skills.
Promoting positive mental health in the community:
Enabling Communities
The SCCUL Sanctuary was established by community based company SCCUL Enterprises Ltd to connect people in the local community to care for those at a loss and in need of support. Located in the beautiful woodlands of Kilcornan in Clarinbridge, Co. Galway, SCCUL Sanctury provides a therapeutic space where people can improve their well being, gain new perspectives and have a respite from the daily challenges that they face Funding from the Maureen O’Connell fund has enabled the provision of over 90 workshops for those at risk over a two year period.
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In 2011 the Maureen O’Connell Fund contributed to the Westside Community Arts Festival, a local annual celebration of community art in the west of Galway City, which had ‘positive mental health’ as its theme that year. Information on mental health was provided at all events by representatives of state and community voluntary organisations working in this area and art and craft workshops for children and adults also had a focus on maintaining good mental health.
Providing community infrastructure: The Maureen O’Connell Fund has also contributed to the development of community facilities through a number of small grants which have funded key community projects and infrastructure throughout the city and county. In Ballinasloe assistance has been provided to Ballinasloe Social Services towards services for children and older people in need. The Childcare facilities at the Social Services Preschool and the Therapeutic Learning Centre have benefited from the financial support received as has Ballinasloe Meals on Wheels who provide hot meals to older people in Ballinasloe and the surrounding areas of Cappataggle, Kilconnell, Ahascragh and South Roscommon. COPE Galway also received a grant from the Maureen O’Connell fund which they have used to purchase kitchen equipment for the Fairgreen Hostel for homeless men.
Enabling Communities
A grant was given to help in providing a small sensory garden at the Brothers of Charity Four Seasons Day Centre in Renmore which provides a service for young adults with disabilities. The garden is close to where the young people receive their therapy and it will give them a pleasant outdoor space to enjoy.
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Enhancing quality of life for older people: Research has shown that many older people feel invisible and cut off from today’s youth-oriented society. The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Galway saw the Maureen O’Connell Fund as an opportunity to reach out to older people through projects aimed at enhancing their quality of life. The Mill House was left to St. Vincent de Paul in 1963 and, after having been leased out to other organisations for a number of years, it came back into the Society’s possession in 2005. At this time it was felt that there was a real need for a resource centre for people who find themselves isolated or socially or economically excluded in Galway City. Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, in consultation with local voluntary and statutory bodies, identified the need for a city centre facility providing opportunities for social interaction, learning and development for older people, adults and younger people.
Enabling Communities
Funding from the Maureen O’ Connell Bequest paid for the renovation of the building and its transformation into a resource centre in the heart of the city. Together with funding from SVP Galway Area Council, the Fund has also contributed to the centre’s running costs since 2009.
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Facilities provided include: a very popular Lunch and Social Club, which attracts older people from all over the city; a monthly tea dance; a Parents’ Network supporting parents to develop new skills; weekly informal coffee mornings; workshops and talks which have included relaxation, sewing and mending, women’s health, DIY and money management; classes for conversational English to immigrants through the ‘Fáilte Isteach’ programme two-days per week; a weekly support group for men; a knitting group; computer classes teaching people basic computer skills; a drawing class; an inter-generational project and a men’s support group.
“Croí na Gaillimhe complements the core visitation work of the St Vincent de Paul Society by offering a warm, comfortable place of welcome and learning, particularly for people who feel socially isolated in our city.” “I would love Maureen O’Connell to be able to come back and see what her legacy has done here at the Centre. I think she would be very pleased. I know I would be if I was her.”
In the village of Claregalway, a unique local community project endeavoured to make things better for the community’s older citizens. The Claregalway and District Day Care Centre harnessed local goodwill to build and maintain a ‘home away from home’ day centre for its senior citizens. A suitable premises was identified but it was in need of extensive repair and renovation. Support from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest meant that the renovations could be carried out enabling a valuable service to be provided to the socially isolated, and older members of the community. Funding was also provided to Gort and South Galway Social Services for the refurbishment of a building for a new day care centre in Gort. Enterprise Dunmore Limited received a grant to install a kitchen in the Dunmore Enterprise & Resource Centre and to purchase dining room and meeting room furniture.
Financial support was also provided to the Marian Hall in Tullycross to enable the purchase of chairs to accommodate the members of this isolated community who attend the hall for bingo and other social events.
Enabling Communities
Infrastructural support was also provided to the Naomh Cuimin Meals on Wheels Project. As a direct result of this funding the Naomh Cuimin Project is now able to facilitate the delivery of a safe and compliant meals on wheels service.
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Support for young people and families: ARD (Ardaun, Roscam & Doughiska) Family Resource Centre is situated in Doughiska on the east side of Galway City. Doughiska is one of the most culturally diverse communities in Ireland and has a high percentage of young people. Family Resource Centres are established in disadvantaged communities with the aim of empowering and building up the capacity of the community. Funding was provided by the SVP Maureen O’Connell Fund to assist in the move by ARD Family Resource Centre to a new building in September 2016 when a disused hotel was transformed into a vibrant community hub which has approximately 1,500 visits per week. To cater for the needs of this young community, the Maureen O’Connell Fund also supported the establishment of ARD Youth Projects. Each week there are 13 different activities and supports taking place supporting approximately 200 young people between the ages of 4 and 20 years. The supports provided include educational supports and intergenerational projects linking up young people with older adults in the community. These projects are crucial in a diverse community such as Doughiska as they help to build bridges between people from different generations and different cultural backgrounds. Other youth activities include a Youth Café (ran in collaboration with Foróige), Afrobeat dance classes and creative clubs. These allow local young people an opportunity to be creative, learn new skills and make new friendships in a safe and encouraging environment.
Enabling Communities
ARD Youth Projects have also established targeted supports where specific needs have been identified. An example of this, is the ARD Girls Group, was established to provide a space for local girls from Muslim backgrounds to socialise and take part in activities. This group has since expanded to include girls from various other cultural backgrounds.
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All of these activities are strongly supported by an amazing group of volunteers who share their skills and time to ensure the young people attending the centre are provided with the opportunity to learn new skills, make positive choices and have good role models.
“Thanks to the Saint Vincent De Paul Maureen O’Connell Fund for supporting this project and supporting the local community of Doughiska.”
In 2012, Loughrea Family & Community Resource Centre secured funding from the Maureen O’Connell Fund to employ a full time Community-based Family Support Worker for a three-year period, to work within the community development ethos of Loughrea Family & Community Resource Centre. The Loughrea Family & Community Resource Centre commissioned a substantial piece of research to identify and highlight the value and impact of this position to the organisation and to the individuals that accessed the support. The findings of this research demonstrated the value of the work of the Communitybased Family Support Worker, and the value the participants attributed to the support they received, with many satisfied to recommend the service. Single people, two parent families, separated parents, lone parents and children all accessed aspects of the support offered through the Community-based Family Support position. Positive outcomes and high satisfaction levels became evident and research participants identified that family relationships were improving, that they had increased their skills base, become more empowered, and their self-esteem increased, all as a result of the strengths - based approach employed by the Community-based Family Support Worker.
“The support provided through the Maureen O’Connell Fund has had an extremely positive impact on the work of Loughrea Family & Community Resource Centre. While, initially, it facilitated us in responding to a very specific and identifiable need around earlyintervention family support with professionalism, skill and empathy, it also has provided us with opportunities to become even more embedded in the local community and for the local community to become more authentically engaged with us.”
Funding was provided for a total of 3 years as a contribution towards the development of Teach Solais Resource Centre in conjunction with an Interagency Working Group consisting of a wide range of community and mainstream service providers. The Resource Centre is a focal point for Galway’s LBGT+ community and provides a safe and alcohol-free environment from which a wide range of vital supports and services can be accessed including health, education and welfare services. The lunch and social clubs at Croí na Gaillimhe Resource Centre have been very successful in tackling social isolation among older people. Held on Mondays and Wednesdays, they have proven to be a highlight of the week for many of the people attending. The monthly tea dances provide an enjoyable physical activity for older people as well as a great opportunity to interact and make new friends.
Enabling Communities
Addressing social isolation:
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Intergenerational projects bridging the gap between the generations: Rahoon Youth Project wanted to start a local intergenerational conversation about negative age stereotyping, discrimination and isolation. The ‘Painting Together’ project involved older participants in working with young people on creative activities. This led to a series of intergenerational visual art sessions where participants completed individual and collaborative canvasses representing their ideas on the ageing process. There are also intergenerational projects in Croi na Gaillimhe Resource Centre and ARD Resource Centre.
Expanding life choices for younger people: Young people today face many challenges. In the transition from childhood to adulthood young people will encounter new experiences, face difficult situations and have to make important choices. The Maureen O’Connell Bequest has been instrumental in providing supports to young people through a range of projects.
Enabling Communities
Increasing access to preventive mental health initiatives and services for young people in Galway City and County:
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Funding has been approved for a total of three years for the Galway Diocesan Youth Service Counselling Service - this service is available to young people between the ages of 15 and 25 years for a nominal donation. Youth Work Ireland Galway has received funding from the Maureen O’ Connell Bequest to deliver their Youth Counselling Service in Galway city, Tuam, Ballinasloe and Loughrea. “The immediate benefits to the young person are that they have a safe place to talk about their issues where they feel respected and valued.” A youth integration project was developed with Ardaun Roscam Doughiska (ARD) Family Resource Centre. This project involves funding from the Maureen O’Connell Bequest towards the cost of employing a Youth and Family Worker at ARD Family Resource Centre. Funding was also provided towards moving to a larger and more suitable premises.
Supporting the development of youth and community facilities in Galway: Ballybane Sports Co-op was established to provide a focal point for sports clubs and groups to come together and offer a range of low cost sports and fitness classes for young people and men and women of all ages. The Maureen O’Connell Bequest funded the total reconstruction and development of an empty warehouse unit into a multipurpose gym used by six different sports groups on a weekly basis. As a direct result of the Maureen O’ Connell Bequest, Titans Boxing Club was founded and became the first boxing club to be established on the east side of Galway city. The building of the Sports Co-op also facilitated the founding of Eastside Men’s Shed group in 2012. Afesca Youth Café in Tuam was a very popular place for young people to meet and receive the benefits of a youth service in an informal environment. In 2007 following an application to the Maureen O’Connell Bequest, the Café received funding to cover the salary costs of a Youth Worker for a year. Continuing to support the needs of families and young people in Tuam, the Maureen O’Connell Bequest financed the refurbishment of the Mercy Junior School Building on the Dublin Road into a youth and family resource centre. Donated by the Sisters of Mercy to the SVP in 2012, the refurbished building now provides offices, meeting and therapeutic rooms for the work of Tuam Family Services and Social Work Services. The Tuam based services of Youth Work Ireland Galway also operate from the building. These include Tuam Youth Services, Tuam Youth Club, Tuam Youth Café, Teen Between, a listening support services for teens experiencing difficulty as a result of parental separation, and Tuam Comhairle na nOg, the local youth democracy group.
Enabling Communities
Throughout society, from the young to the not-so-young, there are communities of people, of place, of interest who are disadvantaged and marginalised. This section of the brochure has told the story of how the Maureen O’Connell Bequest has supported and enabled these communities to become more active, resilient and integrated.
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MAUREEN O’CONNELL BEQUEST FACTS & FIGURES Projects Funded Saint Vincent de Paul Projects (92% of overall funding)
Maureen O’Connell Bequest Facts & Figures
Ballinasloe Conference Building Development Ballinasloe Social Housing Castlegar Community Grant Christmas Assistance Funds for Galway City and County Conferences Connemara Direct Assistance Grant Croí na Gaillimhe Resource Centre Croí na Gaillimhe SOLAS Project Holistic Approach to Visitation Action Research Loughrea Accommodation Grant Madeira Court Apartments Maureen O’Connell Special Fund for Households Experiencing a Financial Crisis Oughterard Naomh Cuimin Project Portumna Education Grants Rendu Court Apartments St. Anthony’s Hostel SVP Shops in Galway City and County SVP West Region Council Direct Assistance Funds SVP West Region Council Ozanam House Refurbishment SVP West Region Council Youth Development Officer Tuam Direct Assistance Grants Tuam Youth and Family Centre
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Projects by other community and voluntary organisations (8% of overall funding) (grants administered and monitored by St. Vincent de Paul) Access Music Project ARD Family Resource Centre Athenry Community Children Services Ballinasloe Community Crèche Ballinasloe Education Grant Ballinasloe Emerald Ballroom Social Centre Ballinasloe Incredible Years Pre-School Programme Ballinasloe Social Services Ballybane Sports & Social Co-op Ballybane-Mervue After-School Project Bohermore Community Project Brothers of Charity Four Seasons Sensory Garden Castlegar Cemetery Renovation Committee Children’s Language Development Project Claregalway & District Daycare Centre
Maureen O’Connell Bequest Facts & Figures
COPE Galway Direct Assistance Grant COPE Galway Domestic Violence COPE Galway Fairgreen Hostel COPE Galway Towards Independence Cumann na bhFear Men’s Shed Carraroe Cumann na bhFear Men’s Shed Sandy Road, Galway Dunmore Enterprise and Resource Centre Eglinton Asylum Seeker Hostel Homework Club Eglish National School Empowerment Plus Strengthening Families Programme Galway City East School Completion Programme-Learning Mentor Initiative Galway City Partnership Incredible Years Pre-School Programme Galway Sea Scouts Currach Building Project Gort & South Galway Day Care Centre Grave stone for Patrick Hanley Galway City Partnership Social Enterprise Development Workshop Galway Diocesan Youth Services Counselling for Young People Galway Refugee Support Group Galway Simon Community Youth Homelessness Project Galway Traveller Movement Carrowbrowne Halting Site After-School Project Galway Traveller Movement Traveller Enterprise Development Initiative GRETB Money Management Courses Home-Start Athenry John Paul Services Galway Loughrea Family Resource Centre Portumna Men’s Shed Rahoon Family Centre Homework Club Rahoon Youth Project Rainbow Academy Athenry Renvyle Sports and Social Club SCCUL Sanctuary Support and Respite Workshops Scoil an Chroí Naofa Homework Club Scoil Bhride Homework Club St Brendan’s & St Ita’s After School Homework Clubs, Loughrea St Teresa’s Special School Sensory Playground Teach Solais LGBT+ Resource Centre Time4Us Family Contact Centre Tuam Afesca Youth Café Tully Cross Marian Hall Westside Community Arts Festival WIN-West of Ireland Networking Youth Work Ireland Galway Counselling for Young People Youth Work Ireland Galway Intergenerational Project
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FUNDING PER STRATEGIC AREA Community
€ 5,033,847
Family
€ 3,987,100
Individual
€ 1,468,932
Total
€10,489,879
Individual
14%
Maureen O’Connell Bequest Facts & Figures
Community
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48%
Family
38%
FUND ALLOCATION Project Expenditure
€ 9,504,992
Allocated but not yet paid
€
135,988
Administration
€
848,899
Total
€10,489,879
Administration
Allocated but not yet paid
8%
Project Expenditure 91%
Maureen O’Connell Bequest Facts & Figures
1%
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MAP OF CO. GALWAY SHOWING LOCATION OF PROJECTS:
Maureen O’Connell Bequest
Copyright © SVP 2019 First published 2019