Aisling Return to Ireland Project

MISSION : Organising supported visits to Ireland. Offering aftercare on return to Britain.

VISION : Reaching out to homeless, isolated and vulnerable Irish people. Helping long term emigrants to see their home once again.

Named from the Irish word for “dream” or “vision”, Aisling is a London based charity, which has been working with Irish men and women for the past 10 years. Every year up to 60 vulnerable long-term emigrants are accompanied on trips to various parts of Ireland. The premise behind the visits is that by temporarily transporting them to the familiar surroundings of their early lives prior to their emigration, the often monotonous and sometimes negative routine of their London lives can be broken.

The positive benefits for those who have undertaken a trip to Ireland with the Aisling Project are many and varied. Some have been able to address personal problems such as depression and alcoholism, some have undergone rehabilitation and are now in employment or training and re-housed. These visits can facilitate a reconnection with long lost family, possibly even resettlement in Ireland when and if desired. Many of the Aisling returnees are long-term residents of Arlington House. The London Irish Centre in Camden refers others to Aisling.

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 Arlington House

MISSION : Security and comfort for the long-term Irish residents of Arlington House.

VISION : To help and support one of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable Irish communities in 21st century Britain or Ireland.

Situated in the heart of Camden Town, Arlington House opened its doors in 1905 as a Rowton House and currently houses approximately 380 clients, 81 of whom are long-term Irish residents. This is quite possibly one of the most vulnerable and excluded groups of people to be found anywhere in the United Kingdom or Ireland today. These men have forged their own unique Irish community in Camden Town. It evolved from Camden Town’s former status as a pick-up point for Irish casual labourers, commonly used by Irish contractors in the 1960’s and 70’s.

A surprisingly high number of Irish residents have been there for more than 30 years. Not surprisingly, they tend to be older than the other residents. Almost 90% are without pension. After years of manual labour, they are no longer able or fit to work. Many are long-term migrants who have lost contact with friends and family in Ireland and now have little or no life outside their own Irish tenants community within the hostel. Camden’s pick-up days have come and gone - but the Irish remain on in Arlington House. They have no place else to go. Arlington House provides a safe and secure place for its elderly Irish tenants. Every man has a small room with a lock on the door, access to bathrooms and television rooms, quiet rooms and a canteen where subsidised meals are provided; a minimum of privacy and dignity, a life of sorts.

Age and ill health mean that this is now a community in rapid decline. As this community grows older and ever more frail, it becomes increasingly dependent on Arlington House and even more isolated from the outside world. A major refurbishment is planned over the course of the next four years, leading to the loss of about 250 beds. This is an imminent threat to the vulnerable Irish tenants for whom the impact is certain to be significant, if not negative.

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 Barretstown Gang

MISSION : to enable seriously ill children from Ireland, Britain and throughout Europe to rediscover their own inner strength, confidence and self-esteem.

Barretstown programmes are activity-based over three broad categories: outdoor adventure, creative expression and sports and games. The main focus is on enabling seriously ill children from Ireland, Britain and throughout Europe to rediscover their own inner strength, confidence and self-esteem. Here they meet and develop friendships with other children from all across Europe who know how it feels to battle against illness.

Each ten-day session gives opportunities to children aged between 7-17, in a safe and supportive environment, to make real changes in their lives. Founder Paul Newman could not have put it better when he said - “It’s not that the children say, ‘thank you for a wonderful time …’ It’s that they say ‘thank you for changing my life.’” SERIOUS FUN – THE POWER OF THERAPEUTIC RECREATION

At Barretstown, horse riding, archery, crafts, drama, music, canoeing and climbing a tree are all a carefully directed means to an end. Therapeutic Recreation, though always presented in the context of fun, follows the model of Challenge > Success > Reflection = Discovery. Children who thought they could not have a ‘normal’ childhood meet challenges with success, reflect on these experiences and make life-changing discoveries of self-esteem, confidence, independence, trust, coping skills and friendship. That’s what we mean by psychosocial support, and that’s why it’s called Serious Fun. on: take the cotton wool off and watch the child emerge.

Last year almost 50% of the children came from United Kingdom. Next year, as they celebrate their tenth anniversary, Barretstown hopes to welcome 500 children from the UK with their families.

‘My best day in Barretstown was the 15th June 2001, and I think it is probably the best day of my life. It was the high ropes. I didn’t believe that I could climb it but I did and it was wonderful. That was a wonderful experience and I will never forget it.’
-Camper, Ireland

‘You know what it feels like? Giving to Barretstown is like investing in a bright future for children who once had no belief in tomorrow. It’s like giving them hope and confidence and belief in themselves, and it feels great!’
-Anon, donor

‘Our son really really enjoyed himself and said he could have done with another week! After all he has been through, it was such a tonic for him and gave him back the bit of independence he needed to send him back to school. Thanks again for all you’ve done and carry on giving all these children such great memories after all the horrible ones.’
-A parent

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 Childline

MISSION : Answer every child who has found the courage to pick up the phone and dial 0800 1111

VISION :  A safe childhood, free from abuse of any kind. Comfort, advice and protection for every child or young person in need.

ChildLine has counselled more than 33,000 children and young people in Northern Ireland since opening a counselling centre in Belfast in 1999. Sometimes the callers need protection. Sometimes they need to know what their options are. Sometimes, they just need someone to speak to, someone to listen.

The complex political environment means it is essential for kids from Northern Ireland to talk to someone who understands their culture and daily reality, someone with the same accent as theirs - even though they may be calling with similar problems to kids from other parts of the UK. The trained volunteer counsellors are there to listen to them – whatever the problem. They hear from children who are suffering sexual and physical abuse, who are being bullied or who are experiencing family relationship problems.

ChildLine also runs outreach schemes in schools, encouraging pupils to support one another, and to develop their practical ability to communicate, listen and understand. In addition to listening and advising, ChildLine takes what it learns from children and passes it on to policy-makers who can help change children’s lives
for the better.

ChildLine wants to give a voice to children and young people in Northern Ireland – a voice which will be heard by individuals, by communities and by those who make decisions about the lives of children.

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 Children For Peace

MISSION : to give young people a passion for peace.

In 1993, a bomb left in a busy shopping street in Warrington snuffed out the lives of two innocent little boys - Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball. Their parents decided to commemorate their childrens lives with a lasting memorial by creating ‘The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust’ which is also known as The Children for Peace Campaign.

“We believe if we invest in children and young people now we will be able to persuade them that they can resolve problems of any size or complexity without resorting to violence, they will become Children for Peace” Colin Parry JP, Chairman of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust The focal point of the Children For Peace campaign is a selection of accredited educational programmes and activities

THE JOHNATHAN BALL ‘TINY STEPS FOR PEACE’ PROGRAMME
Tiny Steps for Peace is a project aimed at 3-5 year olds under development: its purpose is to celebrate diversity and encourage young children to be at ease with differences of culture, ethnicity or ability. The philosophy behind this programme is to create an acceptance of all others as equals. The children will be introduced to the proposition that there are positive acceptable ways to handle disagreements and differences without resorting to any form of conflict or violence.

"I truly felt part of something important, something that could make a difference not only in our own lives, but also for those around us"
Shane, Dublin (17)

“Although someone once said to die for one’s country is the ultimate sacrifice, I now know that to live for one’s country is better.”
Mark Mulholland, Belfast (17)

“We certainly have more need now than ever for our young people to hear messages of reconciliation and peace.”
Catherine Davies, St Mary’s High School, Manchester

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 Citizens Theatre

MISSION : Explore historical & cultural connections between Ireland & Scotland.

VISION : Bringing to life Glasgow's Irish heritage & culture through community theatre.

Established in 1943, this Glasgow based theatre company produces plays and runs drama based workshops for local communities in the west of Scotland. Their work acknowledges and explores the longstanding historical and cultural connections between the Irish and Scottish communities.

The Reminiscence Project From the 1840’s onwards, Glasgow’s Gorbals district became a favoured settlement area for thousands of impoverished Irish immigrants. A large Irish community still remains to this day, and provided the inspiration and motivation behind the Citizens Theatre’s ‘Reminiscence Project’. The project collates the family history and stories of the Gorbalites – the local over 55’s group. By recounting, recording and interpreting their personal memories, anecdotes and family histories, the Gorbalites reflect and preserve the experience of 160 years of Irish immigration to the Gorbals. Once assembled, The Gorbalites stories are transformed into a script, which is then performed to local audiences by The Citizens Community Company.

Citizens Theatre also has an Education & Outreach department which runs a parallel programme using drama based workshops to bring these unique stories to local primary school children. These workshops help to bridge the gap between the community’s generations, fostering a better understanding of the areas Irish connections, exploring the heritage of old and young, and sharing stories of living and working in the Gorbals community.

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 Cricklewood Homeless Concern (CHC)

MISSION : offer support services to prevent homelessness.

VISION : empowering homeless people to gain their place in society.

Brent, North West London was established in 1983 by a group of local people who came together to help those who were homeless and living on the streets in the area. Comprised of a day-centre and primary treatment centre, for the past twenty years it has helped those living on the streets or in inadequate housing. CHC focuses on prevention of homelessness with emphasis on secure accommodation and lifestyle management.

The centre offers a comprehensive portfolio of services in collaboration with other voluntary and statutory sector agencies in the area. CHC also manages a six-bed therapeutic residential unit for people with alcohol and drug problems. As the only day centre in Brent, the organisation represents an important component of homelessness care provision in the borough. Whilst housing problems are the primary concern, a large majority of service users also experience a wide range of related difficulties such as mental and physical ill health, unemployment, discrimination and social exclusion. Whenever and wherever it can, Cricklewood Homeless Concern seeks to address the needs of all those living in insecure housing , or who are homeless, or in need of support and respite.

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 icap - Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy

MISSION : Supporting the mental health and well-being of Irish people in the United Kingdom.

VISION : Independent, non-sectarian and non-political psychotherapy for people of Irish origin.

icap was established in 1996 to provide easily accessible, culturally sensitive and professional counselling to Irish people throughout the UK. Today, icap services are available through the head office in London, a new regional centre in Birmingham and an associated network of psychotherapists.

icap’s counselling service is accessible to anyone who feels the need to avail of it. icap staff also provide those in the caring professions with invaluable consultancy and training on clinical and culturally sensitive issues.

The organisation also strives to raise awareness of the pressing need for a unique, open-ended mental health care programme. There is no set fee for the counselling / psychotherapy service. Individuals are asked to contribute what they can afford.

“We work with people from all walks of life …….from the single parent struggling on his or her own, to the older person who cried with the relief of being able to unburden the secret that has been carried for so long”
-Violet Cooney – Clinical Co-ordinator.

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 The Institute of Irish Studies at The University of Liverpool

MISSION : Create the first endowed Chair of Irish Studies in Great Britain.

VISION : Offer increased access to Irish studies within higher education, improving relations and understanding between the people of Ireland and Britain.

The Institute of Irish Studies at The University of Liverpool was established in 1988 as a teaching and research centre for the development of Irish studies in Britain. The Institute aims to provide an academic contribution towards increased mutual understanding between the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The University of Liverpool was chosen as the Institute’s base because of the city’s pivotal role in the dispersion of Irish people in the UK. Historically, Liverpool provided a bridge between the two countries, developing strong cultural links with Ireland and maintaining a firm interest in all things Irish. Due to its impartial status, the Institute has been able to provide a neutral forum. It has also provided an international public platform for a series of high profile peace lectures with speakers such as Senator George Mitchell, Lord Owen and Nobel Peace Prize winner, John Hume.

The Institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses, which incorporate a variety of programmes within the field of Irish Studies. Courses offer the opportunity to explore these two neighbouring and mutually enriching cultures, covering all aspects of Ireland from history, politics, literature, archaeology to Irish language and culture. The Institute is currently raising funds to establish Britain’s first named Chair in Irish Studies. This position will be held by an outstanding, internationally recognised scholar with the status, skills and inspirational drive to further develop existing potential.

The Institute is also working to increase access and promote higher education to people of all ages, including students from other countries and non-academic groups who might normally lack the opportunity of third level education. mission: introduce the study of the history and culture of Ireland to the normal curriculum in schools throughout Britain The original inspiration behind the Ireland in Schools programme was to help underpin the peace process by promoting better understanding between the British and Irish.

Having developed beyond its original overtones of reconciliation, the programme has taken on an educational life and justification of its own by: enriching the teaching & learning experience for teachers & pupils alike; addressing key curriculum issues such as citizenship, creativity, inclusion; reinforcing learning through cross-curricular links between art, drama, geography, history, literature and music.

Finally, the programme helps to meet the needs of the Irish community in Britain by: giving children from Irish backgrounds the opportunity to explore their Irish heritage, often for the first time, within the normal curriculum challenging negative stereotypes and attitudes towards Ireland amongst young people. ‘ Ireland was the only part of the islands of Britain and Ireland which attracted negative comment. Pupils’ perceptions of Ireland were particularly influenced by media images and events of the past thirty years rather than by learning in school.

Furthermore, the pupils were prepared to construct negative or stereotyped impressions of Ireland rather than England when confronted with unfamiliar images or references.’ Survey of Year 7 attitudes & stereotypes in a large English urban school. Ireland in Schools is an independent association made up of a growing army of volunteers - teachers, teacher-trainers, LEA officials and officers of Irish community groups, serving the interests of teachers and students who wish to learn more about Ireland and its relations with this country.

The organisation produces and distributes reading and multi-media materials, which cover areas of the curriculum in reference to Ireland. Irelandvision: through young people, to promote greater mutual understanding between the islands of Britain and Ireland “An Ireland flag is green and white and orange. Miss Blakeley’s mum and dad live in Ireland. I support Ireland. Ireland is best. I love Ireland. Ireland can run fast. My team is Ireland.” Reception “It was very very fun. Irish week made me feel proud to be part Irish. It is a very cultural place and I hope someday I could go to Ireland.” Year 4 “ Ireland had never before seen anything like Brian Boru. He studied the careers of Caesar and Charlemagne and won many battles with the sword. Brian Boru had several wives. He encouraged the Vikings, who had been his enemies, to become part of Irish society. Ireland enjoyed peace throughout his reign.” Year 4 To date, participating Local Education Authorities include Liverpool, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bolton, Manchester, Northamptonshire (with Bedfordshire), Sefton, Staffordshire and the Wirral.

Participating teacher training institutions include the Universities of Birmingham, Nottingham and the West of England and Bath Spa and Northampton University Colleges. “I think it is very important for us to know what is going on in N.I. – it is easy to ignore articles in the paper or on the news because they are depressing, but it might be the people of our generation who will help sort out the problem.” Year 11 “We have been thinking about images of Ireland and Merseyside recently, and whether the stereotypical views of the two places are justified. The main stereotype of the Irish is that they are ‘stupid’. My grandmother is Irish and I would hardly call her ‘stupid’, absent minded perhaps …” Year 11

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 Irish In Greenwich

MISSION :  Provide advice, advocacy and practical support to the elderly Irish

VISION : Promote and support independent living for the elderly Irish within their local community

The ‘Irish In Greenwich’ project was set up in 1984 and is the only provider of support services to the Irish community in the London borough of Greenwich. The project provides key services such as:

- Advice & Advocacy
- Outreach (e.g. help with housing, access to local authority and health services)
- ‘Drop-In’ Irish lunch clubs

This project offers a key contact point for the elderly Irish community in the Greenwich area. It organises activities and outings for its members ranging from adult education classes and visits to local health centres.

Volunteers help to prepare a good Irish meal for up to sixty members of this increasingly vulnerable community who gather every week to share a meal and enjoy some live music and dancing.

This form of regular contact and activity is the source of crucial social and cultural engagement for members of the group. The project helps our elders to access all the services to which they are entitled and reduces the risk of suffering caused by isolation and loneliness.

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 London Irish Women’s Centre

MISSION : provide and develop accessible services and reduce the number of marginalised Irish women in London

VISION : inspire and mobilise women of Irish birth and descent living in London

The LIWC team works with many disadvantaged and vulnerable women in London, including those with physical and mental health problems, or women who find themselves (and their children) caught in an abusive situation, and also those who are homeless or frightened of becoming homeless.

The Centre’s outreach services team visits the women in their homes if appropriate, and The Centre itself provides a safe ‘women-only’ space – something that can be immensely important to those who have witnessed or experienced an abusive situation or domestic violence. The Centre also offers information and advice by telephone on a wide range of issues such as how to access benefits, dealing with employment difficulties, domestic violence and health issues.

The same type of issues are covered by an outreach project in Holloway Prison for Women. Ensuring that women fully understand their rights and entitlements on release helps to prevent re-offending. The use of these services has grown steadily, as has the number of cases referred to The LIWC from a variety of sources. The team works closely with local authorities and local groups to avoid overlaps and identify gaps within the available support network. Finally, through ongoing research work and the development of a long term strategic policy, The LIWC ensures that the needs of Irish women are catered for in the planning, development and delivery of community services. Children at Christmas The work of the LIWC’s Advice & Advocacy project has a special impact on childrens’ lives at Christmas.

The project workers will help mothers to access assistance for providing food and presents for their children at this expensive time of year. The staff can help to get repairs done, or get accommodation that isn’t cold and damp. The effect of bad accommodation on the health of children is considerable and in the winter, the stress of poor conditions is obviously worse than in the heat of the summer. The Christmas dinner and the Christmas tree with the pile of presents underneath - these are all things that those of us here this evening can take for granted. We can’t even imagine what it would be like to have to worry about the gas or the electricity bills, let alone wonder if we will have accommodation fit for our children to enjoy Christmas morning. Too many of the mothers who go to the London Irish Women’s Centre cannot be sure that their children will have these things this Christmas - and they may not have had them last Christmas either. The London Irish Women’s Centre helps mothers to help their children. Mothers go to them to ask for help to make Christmas a happy time for their children. The Women’s Centre provides a safe and welcoming environment for them and their children where they can be sure the staff is dedicated to making a difference to children lives.

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 The Luton Irish Forum (LIF)

MISSION : Provide information, advice and support within Luton’s Irish community.

VISION : Caring in a culturally sensitive and socially inclusive context.

LIF was formed by a group of concerned volunteers in 1997 to address a variety of welfare needs and to support the Irish community in the local area, particularly the elderly and the less active. LIF provides assistance on a day-to-day level. One of their most successful programmes is the “Tuesday Club” – a hugely successful social club that brings together between 80 and 90 elderly people every week. This provides an invaluable social network and support system for many Irish people who might otherwise lead increasingly isolated and lonely lives.

Additional social activities such as monthly day trips are proving hugely popular and regularly attract up to 100 people. The Club also works closely with similar groups in other cities including Birmingham and Derby, organising get-togethers which have become highlights of the Club’s busy social calendar. The LIF can be found at The Luton Irish Centre, where it runs a ‘drop in’ centre offering practical advice and assistance with a variety of day-today problems such as: Applying for and accessing benefits Accessing Irish pensions Housing issues Counselling and support for survivors of institutional abuse ‘Safe Home’ programme for those wishing to return to Ireland Employment advice In addition to these drop in facilities, LIF has developed a successful outreach programme for those who are unable to reach the Centre.

The LIF works with numerous local institutions to promote social inclusion for the Irish community. This includes a series of educational programmes offered in conjunction with the local college, catering for a variety of interests and needs ranging from healthy living, keep fit classes to computer literacy.

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  The Federation of Irish Societies (FIS)

MISSION : Support and strengthen the widespread network of Irish community organisations, clubs and societies in Britain. Working to improve the conditions, health, status and life experiences of Irish people in Britain.

VISION : A confident, empowered Irish community within multi-cultural Britain.

The Federation of Irish Societies was established in 1973 to actively affiliate Irish clubs and societies in Britain under the umbrella of a strong national organisation, in a politically unaligned and non-sectarian manner. Focusing on the development and information needs of these front-line Irish agencies, The Federation helps to build their capabilities and provides training for the Irish voluntary sector throughout Britain.

The Federation promotes the interests of Irish people in many diverse sectors such as community welfare, health care, education, culture and arts, youth and sports activities. By representing it’s many affiliates on bodies such as the UK’s Home Office Race Relations Forum, The Federation helps to raise awareness of Irish needs within Britain’s multi-cultural society, particularly amongst those responsible for policy development and the provision of social services.

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 Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy (icap)

MISSION : Supporting the mental health and well-being of Irish people in the United Kingdom.

VISION : Independent, non-sectarian and non-political psychotherapy for people of Irish origin.

icap was established in 1996 to provide easily accessible, culturally sensitive and professional counselling to Irish people, throughout the UK. Today, icap services are available through the London head office, with a regional centre in Birmingham and an associated network of psychotherapists throughout the UK.

icap ’s counselling service is accessible to anyone who feels the need to avail of it. icap staff also provide those in the caring professions with invaluable consultancy and training on clinical and culturally sensitive issues. The organisation also strives to raise awareness of the pressing need for a unique, open-ended, culturally sensitive mental health care. There is no set fee for the counselling/ psychotherapy service. Individuals contribute what they can afford.

“We work with people from all walks of life… from the single parent struggling on his or her own, to the older person who cried with the relief of being able to unburden the secret that has been carried for so long”
-Violet Cooney – Clinical Co-ordinator.

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 Southwark Irish Pensioners Project (SIPP)

MISSION : Offer social and emotional support to Irish pensioners in Southwark, South London.

VISION : A network of volunteers and skilled professionals providing culturally specific community care.

SIPP provides a range of invaluable services to older Irish people living in the Southwark area of South London. The project was founded by a group of volunteers in October 1994 as a lunch club operating 3 days a week. It soon became apparent to all involved that there was a great need for more than just a lunch club.

SIPP now provides a variety of services to about 450 older Irish people. SIPP has employed a Community Care Worker since 1998 and recently took on a Volunteer Befriender Co-ordinator and an Activities Organiser. The SIPP Community Care Team deals with referrals from statutory and voluntary agencies. People in need are offered advice and advocacy on a broad range of issues such as welfare benefits, housing, health issues, returning to Ireland, form filling, hospital discharge and accessing other services.

SIPP has successfully helped many Irish people who were previously reluctant to work with the more formal government services. SIPP provides assistance on a practical day-today level. The staff offers lunch and drop in services with an average of 63 people walking through their doors everyday. For many, the lunch service provides their only opportunity of a hot meal, not to mention human contact. This service alone saw an increase in demand of 26% in 2002. SIPP also offers a minibus service and runs regular trips for fun and also for more practical purposes.

One of the more popular activities involves a recently acquired community garden at Chumleigh Gardens. Many members came from a rural background before moving to London and visits to the garden provide an all too rare opportunity for members to get close to the land and nature. In 2002 SIPP organised a “back home” holiday. For many, this was the first visit back since they left in the 1950s. Sadly, due to age and ill health, for some this was a last chance to visit home, so the aim of the trip was simply to create some lovely memories of home. The continuation of the support network provided by the SIPP team is fundamental to the well being of many of our older Irish colleagues living on our doorstep here in London. Funding will allow them to guarantee their existing level of service but will also get them closer to their members long-term dream of a supported housing scheme where they could feel safe and enjoy access to services without having to leave their community.

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 St Ethelburga’s Centre For Reconciliation And Peace

MISSION : to better understand and resolve conflict.

VISION : a space within which the different narratives of conflict can be heard and conflicting positions can be explained and examined.

When a terrorist bomb exploded in Bishopsgate in 1993, the devastation to St Ethelburga’s church only yards away seemed total. However, the church was carefully reconstructed and given a new role as a Centre for Reconciliation and Peace. The centre is offered as a meeting and seminar facility often used by groups engaged in the study of conflict mediation and resolution. This is a place of trust and confidence where different narratives of conflict can be heard, and where conflicting positions can be explained and examined.

Situated in the heart of the City of London, St Ethelburga’s works within the community and draws on the expertise and the diversity found amongst the people of London. The centre also focuses on the issues faced by corporations operating in regions of conflict, and the role they can play in conflict transformation. St Ethelburga’s often works with London Metropolitan University, drawing on its unusually diverse ethnic composition largely made up from the inner London area.

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 Tara Irish Pensioners Club

MISSION : Provide a programme of activities from a safe and accessible meeting point.

VISION : A healthy and happy community of Irish pensioners in Camden

Tara Irish Pensioners Club was set up in 1989 by a group of elderly Irish volunteers living in and around the Camden area. The main focus of activity for the group is the weekly meeting, held in a community meeting room place on the 17th floor of a north London tower block. The meeting has become the main focus of the social life and community support network for many of the thirty or so members who attend each week. The social aspect of the meetings cannot be underestimated, as it is a simple and practical way to ensure members maintain a real connection with their community. There are various ‘social’ activities such as bingo, with regular visits from community care or other professionals offering information workshops and advice. ‘Keep fit’ exercise sessions have proved popular with members and are now a regular feature of meetings.

The club also organises special events such as an annual day visit in the summer to Eastbourne which is popular with the more mobile members. The Christmas and Summer lunches are highlights of the annual social calendar for all members of the group.

Most members of the Tara Irish Pensioners Group are aged between 70 and 90 and live alone.

“Its good for our health and its makes us smile and feel happy…it helps us to feel less cut off and lonely"
-Margaret Byrne -Chairperson

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