Family Resource Centres are increasingly acting as a lifeline for people who have lost their jobs because of the recession. That’s according to the Family Resource Centre National Forum and the Family Support Agency, who launched a report detailing the work of FRCs throughout Ireland over the course of 2009. In Mayo there are FRC’s located in Ballina, Castlebar, Claremorris, Ballyhaunis, Ballinrobe, Westport.
Packie Kelly, Chairperson of the Family Resource Centre National Forum said that “In 2009, FRCs had an influx of service-users experiencing stress, financial management difficulties and mental health problems, mostly as a direct consequence of the recession and the rise in unemployment.”
Many FRCs offered very practical support to the unemployed: free internet and administration services to access job information; assistance with CV writing, and packs with all the relevant information needed by job-seekers.”
Practical resources like photocopying and computer services have attracted people to use the FRC’s as have the introduction of help groups.
