Duhallow Carers

IRD Duhallow established the Duhallow Carers Support Group in 2006 and since then has provided a range of supports for family carers throughout the region. In the past 16 years we have successfully delivered 3 Dormant Accounts Training Programmes to Family Carers across Duhallow. We have over 150 carers on our database. Our group meets on the first Thursday of every month and we have a regular cohort of 35 carers who attend these meetings with many others availing of the various information seminars, workshops and events that we facilitate. This year we established a new sub group of the Duhallow Carers which provides supports to a specific group of carers for adults with intellectual disabilities.

The Duhallow Carers network provides a safe environment and space for those looking after a loved one to get together to share experiences, skills and knowledge on their journey as Carers.

Whether it is an elderly relative, a person is looking after, a neighbour or child with special needs- Family and Voluntary Carers in Duhallow are wholeheartedly invited to attend meetings on the first Thursday of every month in the James O'Keeffe Institute, Newmarket. Alongside much needed peer support, IRD Duhallow was delighted to continue to offer training to those looking after loved ones, always with the view of helping Carers to be better equipped and understood, in particular in the light of the global COVID-19 pandemic which put activities on hold for a very long time.

Represented by Breda Buckley, long established member of the Duhallow Carers Network, the group was delighted to have the opportunity to directly discuss Carers related issues with Minister Norma Foley TD during her visit to Newmarket in 2021.

Members of the Duhallow Carers network celebrating Mum ’ s Coffee Morning in the James O’Keeffe Institute, Newmarket.

Kerry Walker, Forest School Leader and Forest Therapy Practitioner Mentor and Trainer of Nature Hub leading the Carers group in a Forest Bathing workshop. Forest Bathing means to ‘immerse oneself in the atmosphere of the forest’ offering a truly relaxing experience.

Dormant Accounts 2021-2022

In time for Carers Week in June 2021, IRD Duhallow was delighted to launch the Duhallow Carers Dormant Accounts Programme 2021-2022, which had a particular focus on improving employment and selfemployment opportunities for carers. The Personal Development and Careers skills course delivered earlier

Kieran Butler of Future Careers with some of our participants of the Personal Development and Careers Programme.

this year, focussed on and sought to assist with particular challenges faced by Family and Voluntary Carers including emotional and social impacts of their roles and often very little time for wellbeing and self-care.

Five themed workshops introduced career management concepts and activities and served as a catalyst to self-exploration, practical tips on job hunt supported by reflective Journals provided for each participant and pointers on effective reflective practice.

Attendees at course, learning the MS O practical ffice Essentials computer skills in The MS Office Essentials course for the computer lab of the James O’Keeffe Family and Voluntary Carers was also Institute. very well attended and provided important employment skills for learners, to assist with the acquirement of paid employment. IRD Duhallow was delighted to offer a wide array of training courses and workshops, both accredited and nonaccredited offerings including a seminar on how to advocate on behalf or you child at school provided by Inclusion Ireland and a very interesting session on the Assisted Decision Making Act followed by an information article in the Discover Duhallow Magazine. Further training highlights included Art therapy for Carers, Patient Moving Handling, QQI Level 5 Intellectual Disabilities, Forest Bathing and many more.

A lovely treat for very deserving mums! Kristina of Croi Beauty Newmarket providing beautiful manicures for our Family and Voluntary Carers during Mother ’ s Day celebration in the James O’Keeffe Institute.

“Always a great evening when we get together!” Members of the Duhallow Carers Network enjoying a great chat and catch up during their monthly meeting.

One of the highlights funded through the Dormant Accounts fund was a Mother ' s Day coffee morning for Carers in Duhallow. The coffee morning took place on the 28th of March 2022 and was well attended and enjoyed by all. Alongside delicious treats served by Duhallow Community Food Services, all Carers in attendance were delighted to take home a pampering surprise bag with little treats to sweeten their day. IRD Duhallow was delighted to have Kristina from Croi Beauty, Newmarket treating attendees to a manicure. A wonderful morning full of chatter, laughter and of course, delicious sweet and savoury food was the perfect way to celebrate Mother ' s Day.

HSE National Lottery Grant for Carers

IRD Duhallow was delighted to secure funding for Family and Voluntary Carers through the HSE National Lottery fund. Funding allowed IRD Duhallow to deliver training and events to improve the quality of life of those looking after a loved one. Offerings included a First Aid course, a course on mindfulness and wellbeing through Feng Shui.

Equality For Women & Childcare

Maura Walsh and Breeda Moynihan Cronin meeting with Judy O’Leary Chairperson of the Women ’ s Forum reviewing the upcoming activities being organised by the Women ’ s Forum.

The Women and Childcare Working Group aims to lead and to be a catalyst for change in the attainment of equality for women. Approximately 35% of Irelands female population lives in rural areas, however, their offerings to rural Ireland continue to be undervalued. Although it is 2022, women still face many challenges and are still at greater risk of disadvantage, particularly those most marginalised such as those parenting alone, with disabilities, older women and migrants. Some of the challenges and disadvantages women are more likely to face are greater risk of poverty, earning low wages, main providers of unpaid care work, lone parent, accessing educational opportunities, precarious employment, sexual and domestic violence.

The Working Group continues its efforts to identify and provide supports to address the issues that affect the lives of women in Duhallow and advocates for the positive development of women ’ s rights and opportunities, especially those disempowered within rural areas. A number of initiatives, supports and programmes have been put in place to meet the needs of women in Duhallow focusing on the development of confidence levels, assertiveness skills and self-esteem of women.

Women’s Forum

The IRD Duhallow Women ’ s Forum was established in 1997, now in its 25th year, the IRD Duhallow Women ’ s Forum proudly represents Women from all walks of life across Duhallow. The network strives to attract women from all decades and to promote the role of women in communities, politics, organisations, business, boards, sports, farming and many more. The Women ’ s Forum was delighted to ring in a year of milestone celebrations by resuming meetings in early 2021 and by planning exciting events for the summer and beyond after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The forum is affiliated to the National Women ’ s Council of Ireland, which is an umbrella organisation for women ’ s groups in Ireland. This allows the Forum to link in and work with the NWCI in determining its core priorities and be involved in decision-making levels at local, national and international level.

100 years of women’s right to vote

IRD Duhallow ’ s Women ’ s Forum recognises the many inspirational women in history that hail from Duhallow. Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington was born in Kanturk in 1877, and was instrumental in securing womens ’ right to vote in Ireland. In 1918 after a long campaign they succeeded in getting the right for women to vote. But they had to be 30 years of age and own property. In 1922 all Irish women over 21 were given the right to vote.

Hanna was born into a political family and she herself grew into an outspoken suffragette. Hanna, along with her husband Francis Skeffington and two friends, founded the militant Irish Women ’ s Franchise League to fight for women ’ s right to vote and for women ’ s citizenship to be included in the Home Rule Bill. Hanna carried messages and supplies between outposts during the Easter Rising. She travelled to America to promote the Vote for Women as well as women ’ s rights. She was one of the most remarkable of all the activists produced by revolutionary Ireland. IRD Duhallow ’ s Women ’ s Forum pioneered a life-sized monument depicting Hanna holding a ballot box, which was erected, in Kanturk Town park near the site of the old Mill Wheel beside where her childhood home stood.

Maura Walsh CEO IRD Duhallow, Micheline Sheehy – Skeffington (grand-daughter of Hanna Sheehy – Skeffington), Jeanette O’ Connell former vice chairperson of the Women ’ s Forum and Jack Roche former chairperson of IRD Duhallow pictured at the LEADER funded monument of Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington. 2022 marks 100 years since women got full rights to vote in Ireland.

International Women’s Day

Staff of IRD Duhallow stand tall for Gender Equality on International Women ’ s Day 2022 #Breakthebias

International Women ’ s Day is celebrated across the globe on the 8th of March. IRD Duhallow takes great pride in celebrating this very special event through active staff engagement and showcases across social media channels and the Discover Duhallow magazine. This year ’ s theme for International Women ’ s Day was #BreakTheBias highlighting the importance of a gender equal world. It is a focal point in the movement for women ’ s rights around the globe.

Paediatric First Course

A staple in the annual schedule of educational event, Paediatric First Aid was once again very popular and extremely well attended. It targeted health care staff, parents and

Participants of the Paediatric First Aid course funded through SICAP.