Derrygoan, Ballinamore image taken by Susan Rowland

Strategic Planning Training for PPN Member Groups (Free)

15th October - 10 to 12 - Online

 

• Introduce a format and template for a Strategic Plan
• Investigate as to why strategic planning is important
• Examine each step in the Strategic Planning process
• Consider milestones for completing the plan i.e.,
• Stakeholder Consultation Process
• SWOT Analysis
• Identification of Objectives
• Creating of an Operational Action Plan to achieve Objectives  
• Draft & final versions

This Week is Mental Health Week

World Mental Health Week in Leitrim is taking place this week from the 7th to the 11th of October.

Leitrim PPN in conjunction with Mental Health Ireland, Leitrim Development Company and HSE Ireland will be organising a range of events during the week to provide information on a range of mental health services and promoting positive mental health.

As part of the week, a Connect Café will be held in conjunction with Mental Health Ireland and Leitrim PPN in the Island Theatre Ballinamore on Tue October 8th  from 10.30am to 12noon.  This will also be attended by Leitrim Social Prescribing.

Tea/Coffee and scones will be served.  All welcome.

 

Leitrim Development Company are delighted to announce that Paul Gilligan, Clinical Psychologist and Chief Executive of St Patrick's Mental Health Services (SPMHS) will speak on children's mental health in the W8 in Manorhamilton on Tuesday 8th October at 6.30pm.

His talk on the evening will focus on children’s mental health, discussing the role of the parent or guardian in supporting a child’s mental health. Strategies and tools that parents and guardians can use to support their child’s mental health, as well as their own mental health, will be discussed.

This talk is recommended for parents and all those who are caring for a child of primary or secondary school age.

 

The Wellbeing Fair Wed 9th 10 to 2 at The Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon will include stands from a range of agencies on mental health supports and promoting positive mental health. 

There will also be a choice of four workshops on Mindfulness, Sound Bath, Creativity for Wellbeing and Creative Arts.   The Workshops will be assigned on a first come, first served basis so be sure to be there in time to register for your preferred workshop. 

Lunch will also be available at the event. All welcome.

 

The week's events are funded through HSE Connecting for Life, Leitrim Development Company Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme(SICAP) and Breffni Mental Health Association.

Social Inclusion Week

PPN Implementation Roadmap

The Roadmap was developed as a follow-up to the PPN Structural Review that was carried out in 2021/2022.

It was drafted by DRCD in collaboration with a Working Group of PPN stakeholders that was established to oversee its development and implementation

 

The overarching purpose of the Roadmap project is to implement changes to PPN structures to enable them to more effectively fulfil the overall objectives set out for them in the 2014 Working Group Report on Citizen Engagement with Local Government.

 

The PPN Implementation Roadmap, as approved by Minister O’Brien has now been published, and is available online.

Love Where You Live Awards Night

Earlier this year, Leitrim County Council and Leitrim PPN launched the 2024 Love Where You Live Awards and invited applicants across 6 categories and we all come together to celebrate and acknowledge your wonderful achievements to Lough Rynn Castle Hotel on Thurs 10th Oct at 6.30pm sharp.

 

We look forward to a fantastic night of celebration.

Winter Plenary (Gathering of Community Groups)

We are excited to inform you that Leitrim PPN (Public Participation Network) are organising a Winter Plenary meeting coming up on Thursday, 14th November, from 7pm to 9pm at the Bee Park Community Centre in Manorhamilton.

 

This is an amazing opportunity for community and voluntary groups to come together to share ideas and exchange information.  At the Plenary, members will receive updates on the PPN's activities over the past six months and learn about issues and activities related to the community and voluntary, social inclusion, and environmental sectors in County Leitrim.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers and funding opportunities. 

 

All member groups invited to attend and pop along if your group isn’t registered to learn more.

 

All new SPC PPN Reps will be ratified at the Plenary – thanks to all for your nominations – we will be in touch very shortly.

Marine Tourism Safety Scheme

Apply for grant funding to help improve the safety of your marine tourism vessels.

 

What is Funded

 

Both the purchase and installation of safety equipment may be funded by the scheme. The full list of items covered by the scheme are listed on the application form; these include things such as:

 

• Life rafts
•  
• Life jackets
•  
• Distress flares
•  
• First aid kits
•  
• Bilge pumps
•  

Find out:

 

• Who is Eligible?

 

• What is Funded?

 

• Amounts Granted

 

• How to Apply?

 

Deadline: 31st October 

‘All Right, All Night’ - a Night-Time Economy safety initiative and campaign for young people

€170,000 in funding support for “All Right, All Night”, a new safety, education and training initiative aimed at young people.

 

This launch campaign aims to encourage people to sign up to this training and support a safer night-time environment.

 

It is anticipated that this training will reach approximately 1,870 young people in 2024/2025.

 

The funding announced is supporting the delivery of a series of bespoke, pilot training workshops and education programmes for young people, which will be delivered in school settings, and other out-of-home settings, such as sports clubs and youth groups.

 

Deadline: 30th November

€3.5m Disability and Participation Awareness Fund 2024 launched

The primary aim of this Fund is to support the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in their local communities around Ireland.

 

Strand 1

Supporting community, sports and physical participation

Strand 2

Supporting participation in arts and cultural activities

Strand 3

Supporting employment and apprenticeships

Strand 4

Supporting projects/initiatives in the area of neurodiversity

 

The fund will be operated on behalf of the Department by Rethink Ireland.

Funding from €50,000 to €200,000 per project will be made available under each strand.

 

Deadline: 8th November

Cash4Clubs

Grassroots sports clubs across the UK & Ireland can apply for a share of £400k via Flutter UK and Ireland's #Cash4Clubs!

Help unite communities & boost physical activity. 

 

Deadline: Middle of Nov

Go Fishing Fund

Inland Fisheries Ireland is offering €250,000 of funding to groups that help disadvantaged or disabled people.  This scheme has been made possible by the Dormant Accounts Fund.

 

The aim of the funding is to introduce people to the recreational benefits of fishing and safety awareness in the outdoor environment.  The scheme will also aid in advising eligible applicant organisations on the fragile ecosystems that support biodiversity, and the natural processes involved in healthy and sustainable habitats for fish.

 

Projects worth between €2,000 and €5,000 will be awarded funding through the Go Fishing Fund.

 

Deadline: 7th November

Biodiversity Fund 2024

The Community Foundation Ireland (CFI) Biodiversity Fund is now open for applications.

 

There are two strands to this year’s grant round:

 

CFI are inviting community groups to apply for a grant to engage an ecologist and develop a Community Biodiversity Action Plan (CBAP) for their local area.

 

CFI are inviting any organisation who has a CBAP to apply for funding to implement recommendations contained in it.

 

Deadline: 25th October

Species Conservation Fund

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund has been established to provide targeted grants to individual species conservation initiatives, recognize leaders in the field and elevate the importance of species in the broader conservation debate. Its focus is global and eligibility for grants will extend to all plant, animal and fungi species conservation efforts, without discrimination on the basis of region or selected species. However, it is very competitive indeed with only around 12% of applicants receiving a grant.

 

Grants will be awarded based on their ability to meet criteria pre-determined by the Species Fund, and are for maximum of $25,000 for each project.

 

Deadline: 31st October

Grants available for communities in Leitrim for projects to improve water quality

The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) has opened the Community Water Development Fund for 2025 and welcomes grant applications from community groups in County Leitrim and nationwide.  LAWPRO is a national shared service working on behalf of the 31 local authorities in Ireland coordinating efforts to achieve good water quality in every county in Ireland.

 

Speaking about the fund, Luke Kenny Community Water Officer for County Leitrim said: “We are delighted to once again be able to offer community groups grant aid for water quality projects in County Leitrim.  The Community Water Development Fund has supported locally led projects since 2018 and this year the fund changed. Medium to large scale water quality projects are the focus of this call and we welcome applications from €5,000 to €50,000 and beyond subject to procurement. Please contact me if your organisation is interested in making an application.”

 

The fund was officially launched by Minister Malcolm Noonan and Minister Roderick O’Gorman in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny earlier this month.

 

The fund supports communities to deliver positive actions for water quality, protection and awareness through community grants.

In the 2024 funding call, over €700,000 grant aid was awarded to 155 water quality projects.

The fund is open to all community and voluntary groups to help in the protection and management of water quality, both locally and in the wider catchment. 

 

For more information on the Community Water Development Fund open call and to discuss an application contact your County Leitrim Community Water Officer Luke Kenny on 0858085495 or lkenny@lawaters.ie.

 

Luke will be speaking at the PPN Winter Plenary on 14th Nov in Manorhamilton.

 

Deadline: 20th November

Discovery Grants Program - Wild Animal Initiative

Wild Animal Initiative’s Discovery Grants program provides funding for projects that expand the evidence base of wild animal welfare, with a focus validating methods and applying them to new systems.

 

Each Discovery Grants call solicits project proposals within broad themes aligned with Wild Animal Initiative’s research priorities. They expect successful projects to be highly cost-effective, with funds primarily supporting uniquely welfare-relevant activities.

 

Deadline: 1st November

Energia Derrysallagh Community Fund 2024

This grant round is dedicated to supporting non-profit, community, voluntary, and not-for-profit organisations in the vicinity of the Derrysallagh Wind Farm.  The goal is to foster environmental sustainability, climate action, and community wellbeing through impactful partnerships.

 

This round seeks to back community projects that focus on:

• Environmental enhancement
• Climate action
• Biodiversity
• Community engagement and wellbeing

The Energia Derrysallagh Community Fund supports non-profit, community, voluntary, and not-for-profit organisations within a 14km radius of the Derrysallagh Wind Farm, with priority given to those within a 10km radius.

 

Grants of up to €6,000 are available.

 

This grant is available to residents in Leitrim.

 

Deadline: 18th October

Parent Peer Support Fund 2024/ 2025

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, has launched the 2024/25 Parent Peer Support Fund.  The fund is open to organisations working with parents and/or children and young people to facilitate the development of parent peer support projects.

 

A total of €75,000 was distributed among 37 organisations under the 2023/24 Parent Peer Support Fund.  This funding facilitated delivery of parent peer support projects by organisations who provide a diverse range of services such as domestic violence, kinship care, breast-feeding, disability, and migrant supports.

 

For enquiries please contact: parentingsupport@equality.gov.ie.

 

Deadline: 25th October

Biodiversity Action Plan Survey

Leitrim County Council is preparing a new Local Authority Biodiversity Action Plan (LABAP) supported by the Heritage Council. The aim of the plan will be to record, conserve, restore and promote biodiversity within County Leitrim over the next five years.

Public Participation group to help inform her research on alcohol policy

A researcher at UCC is setting up a public participation group to help inform her research on alcohol policy in Ireland. She is looking for a representative from the West/North region. It would be a small time commitment and just a matter of logging on to a few online meetings, the first of which would hopefully be in October. The meetings would be approximately 40 minutes every three months. The timing of the meetings can be arranged to suit participants' preferences.

 

Would you know anyone interested please?  If so please come back to us asap – info@leitrimppn.ie so we can engage with Susan Calnan, School of Public Health, UCC or email Susan directly at susan.calnan@ucc.ie.

Communicating for Impact: Public Safety Messaging for Border Communities

Residents of eleven border counties are being called upon to participate in an online survey aimed at enhancing public safety messaging in the border counties. Conducted by Dublin City University (DCU) as part of the All-Island Disaster Risk Reduction programme, the initiative seeks to gather insights to inform emergency management policy across the island of Ireland.

 

The survey, being conducted by the "Communicating for Impact: Public Safety Messaging for Border Communities" (C4I) project at DCU Business School, aims to identify effective practices in public safety communication. The C4I project team, under the leadership of Professor Caroline McMullan, will analyse participants' perspectives on the consistency of messaging, highlight any challenges stemming from inconsistencies, and outline the potential benefits of coordinated messaging.

 

Drawing on public input, the C4I team will propose evidence-based recommendations to bolster safety messaging in the border region. This will not be possible without public participation. Community members will play a vital role in shaping improved communication strategies for enhancing public safety.

 

Effective public safety messaging is critical to ensuring that individuals and communities are adequately prepared and informed in the face of emergencies. Clear, consistent, and timely communication can empower people to take appropriate actions to protect themselves and others, ultimately saving lives and minimising the impact of adverse events.

 

The survey, which guarantees anonymity, targets individuals living in counties Armagh, Cavan, Derry, Donegal, Down, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan, Sligo, and Tyrone. It is designed to be concise, taking approximately 10 minutes to complete.

In Her Boots

FAI Leitrim are delighted to announce the launch of In Her Boots.  In Her Boots programme is an education and awareness-based programme aimed at the football volunteer workforce across Ireland working with female players.

 

In partnership with Aviva Ireland, In Her Boots will cater for girls aged 9-16 with the focus on helping coaches better understand many aspects of training girls, including Athletic Development, Nutrition Considerations and Female Health / Performance.

 

FAI are in Manorhamilton on the 10th of November for the Leitrim workshop.

The ABCS of LGBQ+

Leitrim Volunteer Centre still have some place left on their workshop "The ABCS of LGBQ+" at The Hive in Carrick on Shannon on October 15th.

Driving Digital Inclusion in your Community

By 2030, nine out of ten jobs will require digital skills; yet just over half of Irish people possess basic digital skills.  Irish civil society organisations are working hard to close the digital skills gap by delivering a range of excellent initiatives and resources to upskill both their staff and community members.

 

With a range of speakers from across the community & voluntary sector, this workshop will explore how and why we as a sector should ensure an inclusive Digital Transformation in our organisations and communities.

 

Training facilitators will also be conducting a brief consultation regarding the challenges and opportunities organisations have encountered on their path to digitalisation. 

 

Email info@leitrimppn.ie if you wish to register for either of these online sessions.

 

16th October 2.30-4.30pm

23rd October 10am-12pm

Literacy opens doors – Free training for the Community and Voluntary sector

Join the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) for a range of free webinars and online training for the Community and Voluntary sector in 2024.

 

All events and training will be online.

 

Winter series 2024 – Literacy opens doors

 

This is a four-part series of webinars exploring different aspects of literacy from financial literacy to literacy for political action.  If you attend all four webinars in this series, you will get a NALA certificate of completion.

 

• Financial literacy and financial inclusion – meeting people where they are at (Friday 25 October, 10.00am – 11.00am).
• Literacy for social justice – the building blocks for political participation (Friday 1 November, 10.00am – 11.00am).
• Library literacy champions – making the library a welcoming place for everyone (Friday 8 November, 10.00am – 11.00am).
• Promoting learning in the family – One Book, One Film for All: a family learning project based on Cartoon Saloon’s WolfWalkers©️ (Friday 15 November, 10.00am – 11.00am)

Largest-ever funding announced for Sport Facilities

Ministers announce €230m in grants for sports clubs and facilities under phase 2 of Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly Sports Capital and Equipment Programme)

Over a quarter of a billion allocated to community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 with a total investment of €256m

Record allocation will facilitate the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.

Leitrim PEACEPLUS Programme

PEACEPLUS project briefings in the following locations:

Leitrim Development Company Offices, 2 Church St., Drumshanbo on Mon 14th Oct 10.30am - 3pm

 

W8 Centre, Manorhamilton on Tues 15th Oct 10.30am - 3pm

Leitrim Community Garden Network Meeting

The first meeting of Leitrim Community Garden Network will take place on Tuesday 15th October at 17:30 in the Leitrim Development Company Training Room, Drumshanbo, as part of National Community Garden Week 2024.

  

Community garden groups, or groups planning to establish a community garden, are invited to attend to discuss their needs, how they can work together, and to network with other community garden groups. We will also be launching the Leitrim Community Garden Network website with an interactive map of community gardens in Leitrim. 

 

Zara Evans, Community Horticultural Advisor with Leitrim Development Company will be giving a short talk on soil maintenance and preparing your garden for next Spring.  Zara is also available to organise free short courses and presentations on various gardening topics to community garden groups in 2024/2025.

 

Groups are encouraged to attend in person, but the meeting will also be hosted online.  Refreshments served and all welcome.  Contact Caillin at caillin@ldco.ie or 085-7653152 for any enquiries.

***Cardiac Screening***

A Cardiac Screening mobile unit is coming to St. Hugh Park Ballinaglera on Saturday the 2nd of November. This will be very worthwhile for the people of the community.

 

Booking is essential and you can do so by contacting the Ballinaglera Healthy Club Facebook page or Cliona on 0872191936.

 

The cost is €50 per person and this will also cover the costs of follow up tests, for those who require it.

 

The principal tests are:

 

- Screening questionnaire

- Electrocardiogram

- Blood pressure recording

 

All tests are performed by cardiac physiologists and reported (offline) by a consultant cardiologist. Following the consultant report, there may be a recommendation for an echocardiogram / ambulatory (Holter) monitor which they will also perform at no additional cost. This is typically required on 10% or so of those screened.

 

All results are back within 2 weeks unless a follow up echo etc is required, and all attendees receive a letter directly to their home address with these results.

 

Finally, the age range is 14 yr old upwards. The target audience for sudden adult death syndrome is typically 14-40, however they have screened older people on the basis that they know the risk of follow up test is higher due to the increased likelihood of cardiac disease rather than sudden death syndrome.

 

They do not screen children younger than 14 and those under 16 must get parental consent.

Save the Date for Christmas Markets

Sun 27th November - Carrigallen

 

Sat 30th November - The Bee Park, Manorhamilton - 12noon - 4pm

Sun 1st December - The Bee Park, Manorhamilton - 12noon - 4pm

 

Sat 7th December - Island Theatre, Ballinamore - 12noon - 4pm

 

Fri 13th December - The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon - 6-8pm
Sat 14th December - The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon - 10am-3pm

Join Mental Health Ireland free webinar every day in October

Learn simple tips on how to mind your wellbeing

 

For Mental Health Month, MHI are excited to offer a special free webinar, Connect to the Five Ways to Wellbeing. 

Experienced facilitators will guide you through each of the Five Ways to Wellbeing and provide practical tips for integrating them into your daily routine.  This 45-minute session will be held live every day throughout October, including weekends and bank holidays.

 

Ready to learn how these five actions can make a difference in your life? Choose a day and time that works for you and sign up.

Budget 2025

No Ordinary Life a Celebration of the Business Women of Sligo & Leitrim

Where? Juniper Barn, New Park, Ballymote, Co Sligo, F56 X985

When? Thursday 17th of October 2024 | 6:00p.m. – 9:00p.m.

 

Starting with tasty bites and informal networking at 6.00pm, the business of our evening will begin with a panel discussion with event Ambassador Norah Casey.  Norah will be joined by our other amazing local panellists Jo O'Brien and Isabel Claffey to discuss their less than straightforward, but always interesting, professional paths.  There will be lots of opportunity for questions and time for structured networking.  The evening will be facilitated by - dynamic duo Fran Best and Maeve McCormack! 

Upcoming Monthly Webinar

Depression is often misunderstood as simply feeling sad, but it’s much more than that. As part of Aware Mental Health Week, join us for our free online webinar on Wednesday 9th October where we’ll explore the complexity of depression and the impact it can have. 

We'll be joined by Aware Ambassador and lived experience expert Luke Madden, who will share his story, and also by mental health professionals who will offer valuable insights into the experience of depression.

Questions for panelists are welcomed, and there will be an opportunity to submit these anonymously during the live webinar.

If the day/time doesn’t suit you, please register anyway to receive a watch-back link straight to your inbox.

Calling all Connacht Amateur Drama groups

The Connacht Cup runs from Feb to end of March 2024 for drama groups who do not have experience on the festival circuit and would like to have the experience of an adjudication in their own venue.  If you belong to a Drama group in Connacht and have an interest in taking part in The Connacht Cup to perform a full length play in the Cup please email loftusme@gmail.com with an expression of interest and further details will be shared thank you.

Kids Go Free This Halloween

Celebrate Halloween at Dublin Zoo with a fang-tastic schedule of fun family activities lined up for the 29th, 30th and 31st October. Plus little ones in costume can enjoy FREE entry to the Zoo on these dates. T&Cs apply.

 

Spooky Trail

Facepainting in the Farmhouse from 10am to 3pm

Creepy keeper talks

…all included in the cost of entry!

 

*T&Cs:

Visitors can avail of the Kids Go Free offer both online and at the gate. One child in costume will receive free entry to Dublin Zoo per full paying adult on Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st October. Offer only applies to single adult tickets, not family tickets. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Photographs of GAA volunteers to make up new Michael Cusack mosaic

A mosaic made up of hundreds of photos of GAA volunteers coming together to represent an image of GAA founder, Michael Cusack, which will hang proudly in the Cusack Stand for many years to come.

 

GAA volunteers have an opportunity to literally be a part of the newly overhauled Cusack Stand.

The theme of the refurbishment is the vibrant spirit of volunteerism that drives our Association.

One of the flagship pieces envisaged is a mosaic made up of hundreds of photos of today’s volunteers coming together to represent an image of GAA founder, Michael Cusack, which will hang proudly in the Cusack Stand for many years to come.

Would you or someone from your club like to be involved? Here’s how.