Kickstart

Duhallow Revamp has been identified as a suitable placement environment for the Kickstart Programme Kickstart is a programme supported by Dormant accounts through the department of Justice. It aims to provide work opportunities to people with a criminal conviction in our case living in a rural area. It supports them and gives them an opportunity to re-engage into their communities, activate them for entry or re-entry into the labour market and thus reduce the incidence of reoffending. People are offered placements through RSS/Tus/CE, where they work long side all other IRD Duhallow staff, fully integrating them in the work place.

IRD Duhallow Revamp has been successful in it’ s second application for round three of the Kickstart programme, which started in May and runs for fifteen months, our previous programme was completed in December 2020. This follows from a successful round two funding which was originally approved in 2020 and also ran for fifteen month, although recruitment was somewhat hampered due to the Covid pandemic, the programme successfully completed and was of huge benefit both to IRD Duhallow and the service users

Upholstery job being done by Revamp staff

Project Coordination

Green keeping on our Pitch & Putt Coarse We have employed a dedicated Coordinator for Duhallow REVAMP through Kickstart. They will help to fully realise the potential of expanding work placements for those with criminal convictions in a rural area and also work in forming plans and putting supports in place for all needs of kickstart participants and in line with the Working For Change Strategy 2021 -2023.

IRD Duhallow is in the unique position that it can offer such a diverse range of opportunities and experience in the work environment and offers positions in

• Delivery & Collection REVAMP Drivers • REVAMP Craft & Woodwork Operative and Upholstery & Restoration

Operative • Greenkeeper with Duhallow Pitch and Putt • Catering Assistant with Duhallow Community Food Services • Community Laundry Operative • Warmer Homes Operative

We learned from the previous Kickstart Project that having a variety of work experience opportunities is important in terms of matching people with their existing skillsets and their aspirations for their preferred career path. We are fortunate to have other available social enterprise employment opportunities through IRD Duhallow. We can therefore match people according to their preferences where possible. This reinforces the huge benefits in rooting such a programme with a local development company.

DCFS Staff on kitchen duties

The provision of support for new employees and development of care plans

The IRD Duhallow Kickstart Project aims to support ex-offenders during the transition from prison life back to mainstream employment. The plans we incorporate for the provision of job-search assistance and training options, not designed solely to address labour market issues of those who are especially vulnerable to reoffending, but also informed by actions to motivate offenders to avoid falling back into the same pattern of behaviours. A wraparound technique will underpin the approach and our project will act as a gateway for participants and their families by improving their access to numerous supports/services through the integrated suite of programmes operated within IRD Duhallow company structures. It is envisaged that engagement in community life will empower these people to access other locally available services such as counselling, MABS, Alcoholic and Narcotic support groups etc. Our Project will support people who may be dealing with the impact of trauma including, adverse childhood experiences, or a psychiatric disorder as well as experiencing problems as a result of alcohol and/or drug use. All available supports including health & well-being, educational, labour market training and occupational specific skills, career advice and guidance support will be outlined and explained in a supportive manner to assist individuals in their transition from prison life.

Social connections will be encouraged including social / recreational / sporting / activities and opportunities as well as taster opportunities within their own communities through the various clubs and organisations. This holistic approach adopted by IRD Duhallow will ensure that the individual are supported in every way possible to obtain and sustain real employment, and break the cycle of offending to ensure a better life for themselves and their families. Participation in community activities can improve social connectedness and involvement in community life, for those with a history of offending and their families. Both of which are key to empowering people to participate as well as increasing community & civic engagement, rural isolation and improving mental health & well-being.

IRD Duhallow committed to all in our Community

As our project now enters its next phase, we would like to thank the people who have advised and helped us on our way with the probation services, through Maria Walsh, Training and Employment officer and Area TL, along with Alice Walsh the Social Enterprise Liaison with IASIO, who is based in the Probation Service Headquarters in Smithfield, Dublin.

Wall insulation being carried out by our Warmer homes staff

Staff working in our Community Laundry