Ina’s Lifelong group doing its bit to help all
The SICAP programme which stands for Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality through supporting communities and individuals using community development approaches, engagement and collaboration.
As part of The Community Call helpline (1800 805 817) established by Louth County Council, SICAP have been heavily involved in supporting existing local community groups.
With agreement from the Local Community Development Committee it has launched a €15,000 COVID-19 Community Group Grants Scheme that will enhance their resilience and supports to the most vulnerable.
Among the groups supported by SICAP under the COVID-19 Community Call Forum are The Red Door, Drogheda; Gary Kelly Cancer Support; Alzheimer Society of Ireland; Irish Wheelchair Association and Connect Family Resource Centre.
SMART START GROUP
Meanwhile, prior to the virus outbreak, the SMART start group of 16 older persons in the Dundalk and Mid-Louth areas successfully learned the basics in smart phone, laptop and tablet usage, initially through one-toone tutoring and then learning within a group.
Having this background behind them was already a great foundation for this group of learners to continue to connect during COVID-19 as many are aged over 70 and so have had to cocoon themselves.
Dundalk and Mid Louth Community Development Officer Dara MacGabhann along with IT tutor Patricia Carolan very quickly recognised the possibilities to move this group forward from classroom tuition to virtual on-line training to connect with each other and learn during COVID-19.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUPPORTS
Lifelong Learning Co-ordinator Ina McCrumlish explains: ‘Using our Louth LEADER Facebook page we responded quickly by setting up a series of workshops to promote mental health and wellbeing supports for the wider community and local community groups to avail of.’
The workshops were created by the tutors using YouTube.
Examples of the videos were, creating music workshops, guided meditation, healthy cooking and baking on a budget, fitness, art and craft, mindfulness.
UPLOADING A CONDOLENCE ON RIP.IE
This is an initiative aimed at those who are not computer literate, who may have no computer in their home, or may have a computer in their home but have no internet access and would like to upload a condolence for their loved one on the RIP.ie website.
Members of the lifelong learning do this. Ina can be contacted on 087 2955197 and Rachel on 087 3611956.
LIFELONG LEARNING ZOOM HUB
Using Zoom technology healthcare participants, many of whom are also home-schooling young children with other additional childcare requirements, are now enabled and will be supported to finish their healthcare learning programme.
To date all the participants are on board in the Zoom school and embracing the new experience.
Examples of other learning programmes that are and will be delivered on the Zoom Hub are: QQI Level 5 Healthcare Assistant Major Award, COVID- 19 Compliance for Business Returning to work, Infection Control, Update your Interview Skills, Updating and Reviewing Your CV, Computer Training, Managing Stress in uncertain times, How to order supplies on-line, One-to- One individual client support and mentoring.
EDUCATION AND YOUTH SUPPORTS
Studying online, although in principle sounds very accessible, has given rise to students at all levels of their studies experiencing very new and similar challenges.
For some students they simply didn’t have any means of accessing online classes or materials, while others were experience a range of new challenges.
Fortunately, Senior Education & Youth Development Officer, Jacqui Ward (087-7462507 or at jacqui.ward@ cllp.ie ) has been able to provide through video calls and meeting platforms such as Zoom, much need guidance and support, including study tips and coping mechanisms for adjusting to this new sense of normality.
SICAP has also been in a position to help students through its Third Level Access Fund.
One such student was Alison Marsland, from Ardee, a first-year student in Community Youth Work at DkIT.
‘When the college closed due to Covid-19 and our classes went online it was very difficult as both myself and my husband are studying and we were sharing a laptop, so if we had classes at the same time only one could use the laptop. We also had assignments due so it was a very stressful time.
‘Since receiving my laptop through the fund it has helped with everything I needed for college and eased a lot of added stress in this unprecedented time.’
If you have any queries on SICAP’s broad range of Community Development Supports, Lifelong Learning, Family and Youth Supports, Employment, Business and Social Enterprise Supports contact the SICAP Social Inclusion Manager – Maeve Harkin on 087-7539992 or at maeve.harkin@ cllp.ie