Bridgeways Family Resource Centre

Our Vision The vision of Bridgeways Family Resource Centre is to create a safe, welcoming environment where members of the community can avail of support around issues that affect them, we work to create a sense of community where people feel secure in their everyday lives and can receive help allowing them to reach their full potential.

Our Mission The mission of Bridgeways is to provide educational, developmental and social supports to all members of the community regardless of age or background. We will provide a full timetable of activities that engender social cohesion and develop community spirit where people are empowered and secure, supported in addressing life’s challenges.

STATEMENT OF VALUES: The work of Bridgeways FRC is informed by equality and empowerment, driven by the idea that people are capable of improvement and are best suited to identify their own needs. We are a fully inclusive organisation and work to address social needs through collective action.

Project Outcomes Bridgeways FRC have adopted Tusla’s National Outcomes 1. Healthy physically, mentally and emotionally  2. Supported in active learning  3. Safe from accidental and intentional harm; Secure in the immediate and wider physical environment 4. Economically Secure  5. Part of positive networks of family, friends, neighbours and the community; Included and participating in society  

Project Activities Homework club/ youth groups/ camps Women’s group Parent & Toddler group Parental support groups/ programmes Unemployment support/ programmes Family support Recreational activities Rental Space

Opening Hours Monday 9-5pm Tuesday 9-5pm Wednesday 9-5pm Thursday 9-5pm Friday 9-3pm Summer camp (First 3 weeks of July, 10am-1.30pm) Sizzle dance 11am, Karate 5pm Monday’s Parent and Toddler 10.30am Tuesday Women’s Group 10.30am, Rehab Care Men’s group 11.45pm, Club 91 8pm Wednesdays

Staff Members Co-ordinator- Grace Kearney Family support/ Development worker- Currently Vacant Administrator- Elaine Mulvany 2 Tús workers Noel Egan, Stephen Douglas Volunteers (always looking for extra volunteers).

Plan of work for 2017 Re-establish a Counselling Service Begin pre-development work to establish a GROW group Deliver a Healthy Food Made Easy Course Increase number of fitness groups using the space Focus on programmes for the 18-35 year unemployed cohort Re-establish/ maintain youth supports Provide issue based/ programmed interventions to youth groups eg/ drugs & alcohol awareness Provide a range of seasonal camps for young people

Deliver Parenting Programmes Provide a space for parental support groups Continue to provide family support when necessary Continue to support & empower the Women’s/Men’s and Parent & Toddler group, provide relevant programmes that meet their needs Continue to provide a social space for Club 91 Maintain existing links that enhance the work of the project eg/ Convent House, Foroige, Longford Youth Service, LCRL, EDI, LWETB, EWO, Tusla, Gardaí, Schools, CAMHS, Longford CoCo, Youth Reach, Other FRC’s, Library, PPN etc. Create new links that will enhance the centres work

Keep the community informed about the work of the centre through Facebook, Longford Leader, Parish Newsletter etc. Increase number of volunteers Improve the centres structure Develop/ update internal policies Support the VBOM and subgroups Evaluate all of the centres work for 2017, make a work plan for 2018.

Premise Renovations Since March27th

Computer Room, waiting on 6 computers from AIT

Group Work Room

Counselling Space

Women’s Group Art Work

LEADER Funding EOI Submitted for the improvement of Youth Facilities €17,500 being sought to develop a modern youth space to fulfil the needs of the youth in Ballymahon The lack of a youth space is a very evident in the community, this space is paramount in order to provide recreational, developmental and educational supports for young people

2017 Grant Applications HSE Lotto (9k), Tusla Counselling (5k), Community and Facility Grant (1k)

Contact Details Bridgeways Family Resource Centre, Dean Egan Library, Ballymahon. Tel: 090-6432691/ 085-8668062 Email- grace.kearney@bridgewaysfrc.com admin@bridgewaysfrc.com Facebook- Bridgeways FRC Ballymahon