IRD DUHALLOW | PROGRESS REPORT
2020 - 2021
Community Development out of 25 seats with 2 seats each allocated to North Eastern, South Eastern, Western and the Mid Cork Area. Our company structure allows for such widespread representation and those interested are elected democratically through community elections. We would like to thank Mary Wallace for her term on the board representing South Eastern Duhallow and we welcome Geraldine O’Leary to the board from Millstreet. Training for Community & Voluntary Groups Through our work on the ground with community and voluntary groups across the region we have seen an increase in the number of active community groups in Duhallow. Governance and officer training is of paramount importance for new and current volunteers in their roles in the community. As the world of community development becomes ever more bureaucratic with more Thomas Carmody Gneeveguilla GAA Development Officer and Stephen Crowley paperwork required it can be very off Club Chairperson outside Gneeveguilla putting for new volunteers to be Hall which received LEADER funding for recruited and they need to be the repair of its roof under the LEADER supported through this process. programme 2014-2020. Funding applications, governance requirements, fundraising are all areas that committees need to navigate carefully. Our Community Development Working Group has recognised this need and has successfully been approved LEADER funding to deliver a training programme which will address governance issues, strategic planning, roles and responsibilities, funding applications, managing volunteers and facilitating meetings.
The new Playground in Kiskeam funded under the LEADER programme 2014-2020 which caters for children of all age groups
Strength and Cognitive. Play teaches children social skills e.g. how to share fairly, to make new friends and to play as part of a group. Children are not the only ones who benefit from community playgrounds. The playgrounds have provided a relaxed space for parents and guardians to meet people living in their own local area. In addition, the playgrounds promote physical activity, encouraging children to exercise while disguising the physical activity as fun and games and setting the foundation for an active lifestyle as they become older.
Growing Plants on a Budget Living materials such as flowering plants, fruits, shrubs, trees, vegetables and herbs stimulates thought, exercises the body and encourages an awareness of the external environment.
Geraldine O’Leary and Denis Hickey of the Millstreet Playground Committee. Millstreet Playground was refurbished with the support of LEADER funding.
Community Elections
There are many benefits to growing and planting; it can lower stress levels as natural environments have a calming influence, it is an inexpensive recreational activity that can encourage socialising and decrease isolation, it improves air quality, it is a Pádraig O’ Briain preparing to facilitate the online “Growing Plants on a Budget” therapeutic tool and being immersed course. in nature positively impacts mental health. Gardening activities offers a low-impact exercise which improves physical health. There is a positive correlation between the presence of green areas with plants, shrubs and trees and physical activity levels; people are much more likely to exercise in an aesthetically pleasing area.
Bweeng Trail Blazers Athletic Club have successfully applied for LEADER Transitional Funding in relation to a feasibility study for the construction of a running track. Pictured representatives include Aidan Crowley, Deirdre Collins, Donal Collins, Brian Ahern and Michelle Geaney.
From our work with disadvantaged communities over the years we have identified a number of initiatives in response to the issues affecting them; following on from face to face group consultation meetings with these communities, held the end of 2019, we identified a need for training in planting and growing. Community representatives took part in a 3 week online Growing Plants on a Budget course. This training will assist in maintaining the health and wellbeing of communities. Participants learned how to successfully grow new plants from seeds, divisions, stem and root cuttings; How to save and store seeds; Covering shrubs, trees, herbs, vegetables, fruit and house plants this course gave participants the confidence they need to grow plants and take care of them and in the process money.
‘Lighting Up Macroom’ Through the support of LEADER funding in the South Cork Area the town of Macroom benefitted from new Christmas lights in the year 2020.
For over 30 years communities across the Duhallow region have been represented on the board of IRD Duhallow. This current allocation is at 8
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