Event puts focus on what we can all do to for community

Mullingar Parish Community Centre was full of learning, compassion, and most importantly, community, as the local Women’s Community Projects branch hosted an event for the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, last week.

Women’s Community Projects are heavily involved in many projects in Mullingar, and this event was held along with their Women’s Health Week, with other activities and workshops being carried out since October 13.

The UN International Day was Tuesday October 21, and focused on women’s health, education, safety, and domestic violence. Speakers included Sharon Butler from Her Heart Matters.

Many people in the room offered their insights into what the speakers were discussing.

Women’s Community Projects Mullingar coordinator, Paula O’Connor told the Westmeath Examiner about the day: “There are 17 sustainable development goals, and we are trying to focus on three main areas while also keeping with the theme for this year.

“Today was a round-up of that – we had some guests, with a range of learners from different programmes and activities talking about their experiences and the benefits to them.

“Our tutors and lecturers were speaking about active things an individual can actually do, because a lot of the time it seems like such big issues.

“Often they are things that we as individuals feel we can’t make a difference; but you actually can, through getting involved in groups and activities, and the guys did a great job in summarising that.”

Student art

On the day, they were visited by students from Mullingar Community College, who contributed a display of art for the group.

The art was made in line with the week’s themes, and Paula was singing the students’ praises: “This is the third year they have come, and there were 11 students here today, and their teacher, Amanda Moore, was a fabulous support to them.

“They had their art up on display, and it will stay here for the day for people to have a look at. They have put a huge amount of work into it, and they also spoke to us about their work.

“And for young people, that is not an easy thing to do.

“They have such great insight for their age, and it’s been really valuable to them for the last couple of years.”

Paula plans to continue their activities and values how important the branch can be for the local community.

“We hope to continue to raise awareness of the little things you can do in your life,” she said.

“It could be getting involved in a group, calling a friend you haven’t been in touch with in a while, or if you have unwanted food at home, maybe just dropping it into a local residence house or community centre.

“These little things we can do can encourage people to think about that, and to talk to each other, because we all have a lot of issues that we tend not to talk about.

“So I really think just creating a space to talk and have those discussions and raise awareness is hugely important.”