EIRÍ works with groups of people who are experiencing difficulties like poverty, lack of access to services and activities, and discrimination. If you are interested in joining, or helping with, any of these groups please contact Mary Farren, Community Development Coordinator on 065 905 6611 or Email her.
Below is a summary of the work we are currently involved in.
Disabled People.
Radio training for people with disabilities continues at Radio Corca Baiscinn. The group now produces a monthly radio Programme “Now We’re Talking”. If you or someone you know would like to join in please contact Mary 905 6611. Full training will be given and you will have a lot of fun. The studio is wheelchair accessible.
We are interested in supporting other activities for people with disabilities, if you, or anyone you know, would benefit from new activities for disabled people in West Clare, please contact Mary.
Active Age Group.
The Active Age group will meet again at the end of September after a well-deserved rest. The group spent a very active winter and Spring producing their very own monthly radio programme on issues relating to older people. They have also completed basic computer training, yoga, personal development and intend to do more. They are always open to contributing to other groups and partaking in other activities. The group meets every Monday and Thursday afternoon at the EIRÍ offices. We will be planning our activities for the winter months very soon so put your thinking caps on. New members are always welcome and guaranteed plenty of lively discussion. Eldercare and travel paid for where necessary. The group is now affiliated to Age Action Ireland. Don’t be part of the invisible generation come and join in! For further information contact Mary at 905 6611.
Lone Parents.
EIRÍ works with young mothers parenting alone. We have covered issues such as diet and nutrition, keep fit, computer training, driving licence preparation, parenting, rights and entitlements, and discussions on relationships. We provide childcare and travel costs. Should you have any other needs or requirements or indeed any ideas for the programme please let us know. If you are a young mother or know some one who is and you live in the West Clare area please contact Mary at the EIRÍ office by phoning 905 6611, or call into the office to meet Mary for a chat.
Carers.
EIRÍ continues to work with Carers in West Clare. The support Groups are spread out to cover all areas and to be accessible to all Carers.
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The Peninsula Carers meet once a month in Carrigaholt. |
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The West Clare Carers meet once a month in Kilrush. |
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The Shannonside Carers meet once a month in Kilmurry McMahon. |
The three groups come together as ‘The Carer’s Network in West Clare’ for training, activities for Carers, social outings and for lobbying and campaigning purposes. The following are some of the activities that the groups have been involved in.
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Support for members at well attended monthly meetings. |
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Workshop given by Caring for Carers informed members on their welfare rights and entitlements. |
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Acknowledgement of enormous difficulties in accessing caring aids, and the identification of a practical solution to this problem. |
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Focused campaign for an autism unit and team to be established at Kilkee NS, with potential to serve children in other schools in west Clare. |
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Acknowledgement of the desolation, lack of confidence, and absence of employment history and opportunities faced by Carers when they cease caring. |
| Produced information booklet for Carers, available at the EIRÍ office. |
The Voices for Autism Support Group was set up by EIRÍ to support parents of Children with Autism and to campaign for an education appropriate to the needs of children with Autism in West Clare. The group meet once a month in EIRÍ.
For more information on our work with Carers, please contact Lily O'Donoghue on 065 905 6611, or Email her.
West Clare Women’s Forum.
The West Clare Women’s Forum was formed as a direct result of consultation with women in West Clare. There are three overall aims of the Forum
| To assist women to participate in decision-making structures in their local community and beyond. |
| To assist women to explore, analyse and articulate their experiences of inequality and disadvantage |
| To support women to identify appropriate ways to articulate these issues. |
The group have adopted two main principles:
“The West Clare Women’s Forum believes that all people should have equal opportunity to maximise their potential.”
“The West Clare Women’s Forum believes in the right to challenge inequality in our society.”
The Forum recently hosted two public meetings to give people a chance to ask candidates in the local elections about their policies, and staged a photograph exhibition called ‘Putting More Women in the Picture’. The exhibition clearly shows how few women are on boards of state agencies.
The forum is affiliated to the National Women’s Council of Ireland and four of our members sit on each of the four executive working groups of the council. This is where we can influence policy at a national level. If you are interested in getting more information on the forum or how to become a member contact Mary at 905 6611
The forum meets once a month at the EIRÍ offices. Find out more about their work at www.wcwf.info.