ICA ladies aim to put their talents to good use

ONE of the areas in which Covid-19 is taking its toll is socially. Events and get togethers we would have looked forward to already seem like a distant memory, just seven weeks into this crisis.

While we’re all struggling to adapt to having less social interaction, for some it will be more of a challenge than others. The Wexford federation of the ICA is extremely active and members are trying their best to stay in touch, albeit in a different form. This week should have seen the Wexford’s federation’s AGM take place, as well as their always anticipated show-piece ‘ICA Has Talent’ show. Sadly, like everything else, these have been put on the back burner for now, but the ladies are doing their best to stay in touch regardless.

‘Obviously, we can’t host any events at the minute, but even nationally, the ICA are running online competitions for writing short stories and that type of thing,’ said PRO Breda Banville. ‘Each guild is staying in touch with members though and we’re still trying to do crafts and things like that online. They can be long days for those cocooning, so it’s good to have something for people to occupy themselves.’

Members are hoping to put their time to the best possible use in the coming weeks as they take part in a national ICA project to make scrubs for frontline staff in nursing and care homes.

‘We’ve had a lot of people get in touch across the county expressing an interest in doing it,’ Breda said.

‘We’ve arranged to purchase material from a Wexford company, but won’t take money for it so we’re making a donation to the Hope Centre in Enniscorthy. We have the sewing machines ready and raring to go, so hopefully it will be a big success.’

No doubt the project will be much appreciated by frontline staff and the ladies involved will be delighted to put their talents to good use in these unprecedented times.