Westmeath WCP team expand reach with fun day
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Staff members Sheila Quinn, Sandra Griffin, Deirdre Gaye, Avril Seery, Anna D Atkinson, Sophie Hanson, Paula O’Connor and Mary Murtagh.Image 2 of 9
Riadh Collentine and Louise Allen.Image 3 of 9
Nathan and Sofia Bennett.Image 4 of 9
Kayleigh, Sophia Gilmore, Bow Williams and Ciara McCarthy.Image 5 of 9
Catheryna and Dany Shcherbakova.Image 6 of 9
Hanna, Arthur, Masha and Shasha Korshunova.Image 7 of 9
Cristina Panaghiu with her children Gabriel and Nicola.Image 8 of 9
Nicola Maguire with Sarah, Caroline, Madalyn and Grace.Image 9 of 9
Narmatha Shan and Kanimozhi with Hamsikaa and Hansikaa (twins) and Venba.Women’s Community Projects Mullingar have many programmes and creative workshops geared towards adults, so it was with pleasure that the team opened their doors to families for a fun day last Wednesday afternoon.
Avril Seery, training and education coordinator, and Paula O’Connor, project coordinator, took a few minutes out on the day to explain what was happening.
Paula said: “We wanted to do a nice family fun day and be a bit more inclusive for the whole family, so, that’s what’s happening today. We have a range of activities for a range of different needs, all sorts of games, board games, a colouring competition, face painting, balloon art… Then we have some refreshments and food for people as well.”
It was evident from the many busy and buzzing rooms in the Parish Community Centre that Paula, Avril and colleagues had laid on an appealing range for their visitors, from those mentioned above to the ‘decorate your own cupcakes’ table, and the small cafe area.
The activities were all free, though people could give donations if they wished, as the day was funded by the Healthy Ireland Programme under CYPSC (Children and Young People’s Services Committee), and the Community Integration Fund (2024) via the Dept of Children, Disability and Equality. Paula thanked the various bodies that provided the funding, as well as colleagues at the event running the activities.
Avril said they had advertised the event and arranged entry via eventbrite, so they would know how many people to expect, how many activities to put on, and how much food to provide, and it was booked out, so they were delighted with the turnout.
“We haven’t done an event exactly like this before, so that’s why we didn’t really know what to expect,” she said. “I think the interest was as well that we had a lot activities on the advertisement, so there was going to be a lot of variety, something for everybody and as inclusive as possible, for adults and kids.”