A new beginning on St Joseph’s Rd

THE word ‘aurora’ means ‘new beginnings’ and that’s exactly what a new outlet on St Joseph’s Road is set to be – in more ways than one.

‘Aurora’ is the name of a new charity shop and art gallery – and so much more – opening this Thursday in what was previously a furniture store on St Joseph’s Road.

More than just a charity shop because this venue will also, in part be a resource centre for the Mallow branch of Cork Mental Health Foundation & Housing Association.

Cork Mental Health Foundation is a voluntary organisation whose aims are to promote positive mental health, to support people with mental illnesses and to create awareness and understanding of mental illness. The Housing Association side of Cork Mental Health is a voluntary organisation which actively supports and empowers persons with a mental illness through the promotion and provision of high quality housing services – of which there are now 36 in Cork with two more on stream. These properties support well over 100 residents.

Their new Shop on St Joseph’s Road is the first in Cork and will stand as their flagship. It includes an art gallery, with art by clients, to give them pride of place to see their art on the walls.

Empowerment, building self-esteem, education and working toward employment are cornerstones of the work of the Foundation and the new Mallow outlet will facilitate all of these. Here clients of the Foundation can work, show their art, avail of free courses – and all the money made in the shop will stay in Mallow.

There will also be a coffee dock coming, towards Christmas.

The Foundation saw Mallow as an ideal location: it is the gateway to North Cork, has excellent bus and rail connections, and Mallow General Hospital is only up the road, while the new outlet will also have a nurse on call.