Community development ethos

MARIE Fenlon, Manager, explains that the work of Le Cheile FRC is carried out using a community development ethos, that people are supported to “do for themselves”, to build resilience to cope with everyday challenges.

Arising from this, social capital within the family and within the community is developed and strengthened. Social capital, she explained, is about the social connections between people, the relationship between parents and children, wider community networks, the interaction between a family and the community,

The factors that support Le Cheile FRC in its work include: • The voluntary board of directors, who have responsibility for the overall governance of the organisation and who give of their time and expertise on a voluntary basis and who ensure that community and family support are always to the forefront of the work. • Input from the community, through individual members of the community and from all the groups that Le Cheile FRC works with. • The staff team of 35, made up of 17 who are directly employed, 7 counsellors who provide services on a contract and voluntary basis and 11 through community employment. There is a broad range of experience and qualifications in the team and each member brings a unique contribution to the organisation. As with any organisation, one of Le Cheile FRC’s greatest assets is our staff team, their abilities, expertise and dedication to the work. • Working in partnership with other organisations and agencies, ensuring there is no duplication of work, while exposing service users to a wide range of skills and experience. The organisations we currently work with include: • TUSLA • HSE • Avondhu Blackwater

Partnership • Cork County Council • North Cork Schools

Completion Programme • Cork County Childcare

Committee • Dept. of Social Protection • MABs • Vincent de Paul • Child Protection Services • Gardai • Cloyne Diocesan Youth

Services • Local Primary Schools • Local Secondary Schools

Our funders

• Tusla, Child and Family

Agency • Dept. of Children and

Youth Affairs • Pobal • Cork County Council • HSE • Dept. of Social Protection

Marie feels that all of these elements combined, make Le Cheile FRC “a good door to come through if you need support, advice or someone to listen to you.”

Our schedule for the autumn includes: Parenting through Separation, Parenting Children 0 to 12, Parenting Teenagers, Laugh and Craft, Walking Group, Cultural Night- A celebration of the many Diverse Cultures in Mallow. Healthy Food for Families. Mallow Health Week, Womens Programme.

There are some places available on the I. D. L. ( Indirect Dyslexia Learning) programme and also in our childcare service.

We will also welcome opinion for the community on the setting up of a befriending programme.

If you are interested in any of our services or if you would like any further information please contact us on T: 022 42439 Email: lecheilefrc@ eircom. net Or follow us on Facebook.