Pride of Place judges hear of Grange activities
Image 1 of 6
At the Pride of Place judging at Grange Community Centre on Thursday last, September 8 were, at back from left, Annette Barr Jordan, of the Community Development Section, Westmeath County Council; Noel O’Callaghan of Réaltaí Beag Childcare, David Newman of Mullingar Youth Project, Catherine McEntee, coordinator, Grange Resource Centre, Mullingar; Pride of Place adjudicators David Nelson and Peter Hynes; Lily O’Donoghue, Grange Community, and Sgt Brian Stones, Mullingar Community Policing Unit. In front from left, Geraldine Lacey, CEO of Youth Work Ireland Midlands, Maria Fox, youth development officer, LWETB, and Bridget Nevin, primary healthcare worker. Eilis RyanImage 2 of 6
Rosie McCormack, Westmeath Community Development, Cllr Bill Collentine, Sgt Brian Stones, Garda Fiona Walsh and Garda Martina Walsh of Mullingar Community Policing Unit. Eilis RyanImage 3 of 6
Also at the presentation were Christine Joyce (left), primary health care worker and Amanda Wilton, youth worker. Eilis RyanImage 4 of 6
Brigid Geoghegan, Slaintecare Healthy Communties Local Development Officer, with primary health care workers Teresa Nevin and Mary Myers. Eilis RyanImage 5 of 6
Eilis RyanImage 6 of 6
On left, Pride of Place judges Declan Nelson and Peter Hynes with those present for the presentation at Grange Community Centre on Thursday. Eilis RyanThe huge range of activities and community supports operating out of the resource centre at Grange saw the area nominated by Westmeath County Council as one of the county’s three representative groups in this year’s Pride of Place competition.
On Thursday, before the Pride of Place judges – ex-Monaghan county manager Declan Nelson and ex-Mayo county manager Peter Hynes – the team overseeing activities at the resource centre detailed the phenomenal programme of work that is ongoing at Grange.
Catherine McEntee, coordinator, Grange Resource Centre, in a comprehensive presentation revealed that activities have covered everything from football to flower arranging;
Ms McEntee explained that with 448 houses across nine estates, Grange is the largest local authority estate in Mullingar.
The Grange Community Group was formed in 1996 and has an active committee membership of 12, many of whom have been involved since the beginning. The objectives of the group included the creation of a vibrant, sustainable, inclusive, empowered community that supports the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of all members of the community.
Ms McEntee said that the group and its community volunteers look after all aspects of estate maintenance, from grass cutting and weed control, to litter picking.
The Grange Resource Centre was constructed in 1999 and is noted, she said, for its warm, welcoming home-from-home atmosphere. It is home to many local groups, including the Grange community group, Youth Work Ireland Midlands, Grange United FC, the Traveller Men’s programme, the Men’s Shed, the intercultural women’s group, the estate management and environment group, an active ageing group, the local parents support group and a number of other sub groups.
Ms McEntee said that the residents and groups within the area maintain the estate and plan programmes to meet the emerging needs of the community through established relationships with a range of agencies. The area holds many community events each year, from cleanups to Traveller Pride, suicide awareness, community fun days and summer camps
“While the area is large and vast and suffers social challenges, it is a community that still cares about its residents. They feel supported and safe within the centre and wider community. This is evident in how many people are accessing services and support on a daily basis,” she said.
Ms McEntee also spoke of how the area had reacted to the Covid-19 challenge, and explained that to address Traveller health concerns, it had become a hub for both testing and vaccination.
Another project undertaken during the pandemic was construction of a lean-to at the centre to facilitate outdoor activities. This was constructed by the young men aged 17 to 25 who are members of the Young Men’s Shed.
David Newman spoke of the activities of the Mullingar Youth Project, established in 1996 to support young people in developing the personal and social skills required to improve their life chances and long-term outcomes.
The project targets young people aged 10 to 24 who are marginalised, socially challenged or vulnerable, as well as young people whose specific circumstances may limit their opportunities. The project is staffed by one full-time and two part-time youth workers and supported by six community employment workers.
Mr Newman explained that the project operates at four locations in Mullingar, and in the Grange area alone has more than 100 young people registered. He also spoke of the importance and success of Grange United FC, who have 72 registered members. Grange United came about after the need was identified for a soccer club where all young men were welcome regardless of ethnicity or address. Noel O’Callaghan spoke of the importance to the area of the childcare group Réalta Beag, which provides low cost childcare mainly for children from low or no-income families.
Going on to speak on the area of community education, Mr O’Callaghan said there are always opportunities for education and training in Grange through the many partner agencies and went on to explain that the Sláintecare Healthy Communities project will offer further options for participation for the community. He also stated that the community education service of the LWETB has supported classes in the Grange Resource Centre as part of the ethos of community education. The classes are delivered at the request of the community and at a time that suits them.