Tralee International Resource Centre Ltd

THE Tralee International Resource Centre (TIRC) has provided an invaluable service in Tralee ever since it opened in 2011. It helps people to settle and forge links within a new community. In 2016 the ‘Befriending Programme’ was started with the aim of supporting refugee families in Tralee by linking them with ‘volunteer befrienders’ to support their transition and integration into a new environment.

Volunteerism plays an integral part of what TIRC do and the ongoing training of volunteers is a priority. These volunteers are matched with families according to their skills and the interest of the families. Volunteers meet on a weekly basis with their assigned family and the facilitator regularly checks in with all parties. Bespoke policies and procedures are drawn up and tailored to suit the programme. These ideas are organic and will reflect what works well using feedback from all parties involved.

As more families are being relocated to Tralee, more volunteers will be trained to become befrienders. TIRC organises and works in conjunction with other organisations for the volunteers and families to participate in activities and events run within the wider community thus further supporting their integration into the wider community.

TIRC also offer emotional support to people who may be finding the transition to a new community hard. This is totally understandable and without TIRC’s befriending support, many people would face feelings of loneliness, social exclusion and isolation to a far greater degree than is currently the case. It’s also a mutually beneficially relationship whereby both the volunteer befriender and family can gain from the experience and the relationship.

Photo by Domnick Walsh Adebimpe Obadina, Gillian Wharton-Slattery, Theresa Elumelu, Michael Musoke and Jeb Okeorfor launching African Day at Tralee International Resource Centre.