A new city based resource centre run by the St Vincent de Paul Society, which will cater for young and older people, was officially opened by President Mary McAleese on Tuesday.
The Croí na Gaillimhe facility at Mill Street was funded by money left to the society in the will of the late Maureen O’Connell of O’Connell’s Bar in Eyre Square.
Speaking at the opening Jim Harrington, the president of St James’ Conference of St Vincent de Paul, stated talks with voluntary and statutory bodies locally highlighted the need for a city centre facility catering for older people as well as providing supports for young people.
“Thanks to the generous bequest of the late Maureen O’Connell the society’s building in Mill Street which was in very poor condition was transformed to a welcoming facility ideally suited to its present use.”
Loretta Needham, the centre’s manager, said loneliness and isolation are listed in numerous reports as key issues for older people and for society generally.
“This issue is of concern to us all, no matter what walk of life we are from. The Croí na Gaillimhe resource centre facilitates integration of people across all cultural, social and economic divides. We offer a dinner and social club to older people and educational and development supports for youth and adult education programmes. We seek improvements in the provision of services for older people, adults and children. Having a resource centre for St Vincent de Paul in Galway provides the foundation from which the integration of all communities can develop.”
She paid tribute to the volunteers who contributed to the centre. “We cannot underestimate the power of touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which has the potential to turn life around.”
In addition to the social club there is a range of activities taking place at the centre, such as computer training, drawing classes, movement and relaxation, line dancing, creative writing, knitting club, tea dances and life skills training.
NUI Galway, Galway Community College, Moneenageisha and Croí na Gaillimhe are engaged with older clients on an intergenerational project called “Living Scenes”.
This aims to respond to the growing need for communication and trust in both schools and local communities, regenerating relationships between older and younger generations. This is the first time the programme remit was extended to a wider target group in a community setting.
