– Major initiative to support communities that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries
– Funding for sports clubs, community organisations, transport infrastructure and local groups
– Every local authority in the country to benefit
Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park is a true community endeavour – what was once a cow park has become one of Westmeath’s and the Midlands’ most popular visitor attractions.
An hour from Galway and 75 minutes from Dublin, it rates highly on Tripadvisor. Remarkably, the park which opened in 2015 is run by a dedicated community group and over 100 volunteers play their part annually – alongside staff – to keep the park running smoothly. KATHY MASTERSON spoke to three people deeply involved in the project.
Julia Syrotenko, Community Integration Worker with Wexford Local Development, came up with a novel way of helping her fellow Ukrainians to improve their English. Her Walk and Talk initiative has been a huge success in Gorey and surrounding areas. Together with a group of Irish volunteers, the Ukrainian refugees currently living in Wexford take part in weekly walks, which helps them to make new friends while practising their conversational English in a relaxed setting.
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“The idea is that in supporting a mother to empower herself and her family, you lift a family out of poverty forever.” – Maria Flanagan, An Cosán
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A new Strategic Plan to support social inclusion, enhance community development and combat social disadvantage has been launched by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.
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