Croí na Gaillimhe will holds its biannual registration morning on Tuesday September 11 from 9.30am to 12.30pm where all the information on classes, clubs, and groups will be given. Located at 1 Mill Street, virtually in the heart of Galway, the centre offers courses, clubs, and programmes in a variety of topics as well as acting as an information hub for accessing useful information and resources. The resource centre’s wide and varied activities include the lunch and social club, Siel Bleu exercise programme for older people, a knitting club, men’s group, and many other activities. Registration will take place on the day for many of the classes. This resource centre of St Vincent de Paul continues to develop as a centre of considerable significance socially and educationally for the people of Galway city and county. The centre works with a range of groups across all ages and backgrounds: children, young people, parents, women and men, older people, and people new to our shores.
Croí na Gaillimhe is run by a highly motivated and enthusiastic team of staff and volunteers. The warmth of the welcome extended to all who visit or use the services of Croí na Gaillimhe is renowned, and its popularity as a city resource centre is evident from the growing numbers of course participants. On average some 400 people connect with CNG on a weekly basis.
Older people were the first users and the centre quickly tailored clubs, classes, and programmes to their needs. The lunch and social club for older people meets every Wednesday, lunch is the reason for coming together but the club is about much more than a meal — members speak about enjoying the opportunity to meet and catch up with friends, making new friends, getting involved in activities, and enjoying the workshops and talks. It works to reduce isolation, increase confidence, and build a community spirit. The centre celebrates festivals that honour age throughout the year, including Bealtaine and Positive Ageing Week, as well as celebrating traditional festivals such as Christmas and Easter. The age group is 55 and upwards and new members are welcome.
Siel Bleu is an exercise programme specifically for older people; its focus is promotion of healthy active ageing. The exercise programme is largely chair based and can be replicated at home. It has a very positive effect on participants' physical and mental wellbeing. Computer training at Croí na Gaillimhe starts at the beginning with basic keyboard and mouse skills, learning how to search the internet efficiently, sending/receiving email, storing, sorting and sharing photos, booking tickets, how to bank online, and much more. There are also classes in art, creative writing, conversational English, NALA blended learning (online interactive English class ), and employability skills (online learning ). There is a wide variety of activities for all cultures including a knitting club, men’s group, intercultural singing group, and an intergenerational group (older and younger people ). The centre is looking for older people to participate in the intergenerational project and for men to get involved in tai chi. You can subscribe to the centre's annual newsletter as well as making a hassle free donation to support the work of Croí na Gaillimhe, or find out information about volunteering.
For further information contact Croí na Gaillimhe Resource Centre, 1 Mill Street, phone 091 85203
email [email protected].
