WCP show what they have to offer on open day
The Parish Community Centre was filled with families and members of the public interested in taking part in some of the classes on offer and some of the supports as Mullingar Women’s Community Project held a Family Friendly Open Day at their headquarters on Thursday July 30.
In one room, parents and their children played and enjoyed the day, in another people got information regarding various services that the WCP offers.
Avril Seery, training and education coordinator explained what she and the team hoped the day could achieve. “We have all departments represented, the childcare, the community employment, and the counselling service along with the training and education department.
“We had a Family Fun Day last year and it was really popular so we’d combine the two of them this year. It allows parents to come in and engage with the services available and there’s plenty of entertainment for the children as well.
“We would love for them to be able to see the services we have on offer and also it would be an opportunity for maybe some of the parents that might want to come back in and re-engage with education, and maybe find some employment through the community employment scheme as well.
“They’re able to come in and enjoy something without a huge expense as well.
“Our training and education department is growing every year and the QQI courses in business management and business administration and in healthcare. Those are two areas that are popular.”
There was also a booth promoting the WCP childcare service. Joanna Waters leads the childcare service, which is an affordable alternative for parents in comparison to private childcare. She said: “We are inclusive, so there are children here from all walks of life and nationalities. We have children with additional needs as well – typically we could be looking at 10 to 15 children in the ECC scheme who have additional needs of different levels.
“We don’t have enough childcare places on the island and I think that’s something that needs to change in Mullingar, in Westmeath, for children in the community and for families.”
Joanna said the services are essential for children before they go to primary school. “And for these parents to be able to go to work. And again, we work with a lot of families who are maybe disadvantaged, could be homeless, there’s lots of different things going on for a lot of our families.
“Even for mothers, families, and guardians to have a couple of hours for themselves.”
The childcare service is more affordable than most childcare options.
Septa Dolan, of the Community Employment department explained the options they offer for those seeking work. “The vacancies we have from community funds are early years childcare, administration, support workers, cleaner operator, caretaker/maintenance and kitchen assistant.
“To be eligible for Community Employment, you need to be a recipient of social welfare for one year. While you’re on the programme, you are funded by the Dept of Social protection you work for 19 and a half hours a week and do training. It’s a stepping stone to a point.
“I think many people who have been out of work for a while, for all different reasons, can come in and do 19 and a half hours a week and they get all the training they’re willing to do. Even just for a year and then they’re happy to start applying for jobs .
“It’s all about confidence, and unfortunately there’s a lot of social anxiety these days, so what some people actually need is a stepping stone to gain a bit of confidence.”
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