Duhallow Community Laundry

The laundry team continued to provide a vital service the past year ensuring all their customers were well looked after. Seven years on from when we first opened the doors of Duhallow Community Laundry its need has never been more evident than in the last 12 months. Initially identified by Duhallow Carers Network and the SAOI Network to help lessen the burden on family carers and older people to have clean fresh laundry it has since expanded to meet the needs of all those who weren ’t in a position financially to access other commercial offerings.

Duhallow Community Laundry is a demand deficient social enterprise and is therefore operating as an affordable laundry service where it is accessible for those most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community such as the Elderly, Lone Parents, Carers, the Unemployed, recipients of Family Income Supplement, Disability Allowance, Farm Assist, and participants from our schemes such as Tús, Rural Social Scheme and Community Employment. A free collection and delivery service ensures that those who have limited or no means of transport are not excluded from accessing this service.

Governance

The Social Economy Working Group took the decision to ensure Duhallow Community Laundry remained opened this past year during COVID lock downs. They were very cognisant of the importance of ensuring continuity of service and ensuring that all the procedures in place would safeguard our customers as well as our staff. Working closely together the working group and management were very conscious that many of our customers lived alone and it was agreed that additional supports should be offered to them where required including the delivery of their shopping, prescriptions, fuel or newspapers.

COVID-19

IRD Duhallow from the start was a partner in the Kerry and Cork Community Response Advisory Group and was recognised as providing essential services to the community. Therefore, it was necessary to introduce additional protocols in the laundry to ensure that the service remained open and ensure that all the procedures in place provided a robust safeguard for our customers as well as our staff. Staff member Anita Castle who recently joined the Company ’ s Health and Safety Committee oversees the most stringent of protocols that were introduced following consultation with the COVID-19 LEAD Worker Representatives Colm Crowley and Marie Fleming. Covid 19 showed us that the service the laundry provides is more than just a laundry service. It is a means of linking in with those most in need of our service in the most difficult of times, supporting family and voluntary carers who could not always call to a loved ones home to do their washing and helping to make sure that no one was left without the support they needed.

Staffing Support

Whilst the Laundry provides an essential service, it is also a great opportunity as a work placement location for the long term unemployed we come in contact with through the Job Centre, Tús and CE schemes. A variety of skills are developed as part of working here including: customer care, cash reconciliation, co-ordination, team work, scheduling and operating various types of equipment. The Social Economy Working Group acknowledges the support received from the Community Services Programme, Rural Social Scheme, Tus and CE activation schemes who all support the staffing of this service. They also acknowledge the support received from other staff of IRD Duhallow who assisted when the need arose during the pandemic. Anita Castle oversees day to day operations and leads the dedicated team of Margaret Murphy, Christine Murphy and Joan Sheehan who provide a high quality service and excellent customer care to all our customers.

CE participant Joan Sheehan steam ironing. Joan previously worked in the laundry as part of her placement on Tús and has now progressed onto CE, which will allow her complete training and work towards mainstream employment.

Margaret and Christine putting the finishing touches to curtains which are always a popular item to get laundered.

Margaret Murphy collecting Laundry from Timmy O’Connor. The collection and delivery service is a vital lifeline for many older people, which was amplified during COVID. Mary O’Shea another of our regular customers that collect from during our weekly routes.

Anita Castle ensuring all policies and procedures are up to date.

Testimonial - Brendan O’Connor

This Laundry service is very useful to me in providing me with clean clothes every week, having clean clothes to wear is very much appreciated when you’re dressed well it makes one feel good and more confident about themselves. I also find it very useful for household items such as sheets, I wish to thank very sincerely the staff for being helpful and welcoming every week.