District reward for volunteers
OVER 50 community groups in the Wicklow district received community awards last Monday night, May 22.
Speaking at the Community Grants Awards evening in County Buildings, director of services Michael Nicholson said it showed ‘ the huge amount of voluntary activity within the county. This re-emphasises the need for Wicklow County Council to continue supporting this voluntary activity both in terms of direct grant aid as well as in our service delivery’.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow Municipal District Cllr John Snell said the awards recognise the ‘ broad range of community activities in Co Wicklow.’
‘Wicklow County Council’s Awards Scheme covers a wide range of activities to ensure that all forms of voluntary effort in the county are recognised. This includes general community activities like Tidy Towns, scouting associations, first responders, women’s groups, men’s shed groups, active retirement, and those running community centres. Then there are those groups who focus specifically on those most at risk of being marginalised in society such as anti-racism initiatives and vulnerable young people. We also include sporting and recreation activities.
‘Looking at the diversity of awards it is clear that there is a vibrant civil society here in the county. I commend all groups who have participated in Wicklow County Council’s Community Awards Scheme 2017. I recognise the ongoing effort required to support this voluntary activity across Co. Wicklow as I come across it daily in my role as a councillor. I have seen that in every community there are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. They work in the background and help to keep organisations, projects and events happening.
In addition to this grant scheme, Wicklow County Council supports other community initiatives, including the Community and Voluntary Forum. We are proud to take part in the ‘Pride of Place’ All Ireland, Local Authority initiative. This year we are working in partnership with communities in Rathdangan, Arklow and Bray to represent the county.
‘It is clear that we have a thriving volunteer effort in our country.’
On the night, five organisations across the county – three of which are from the Wicklow District – received Community Pride awards. These are Wicklow Youth Mental Health Committee (€1,000), Irish Wild Bird Conservancy (€7,500), Street Feast (€7,500), Rathdrum Playground (€7,500) and Bray Family Resource and Development Project CLG (€7,500).
Community awards were given to the following organisations: 17th Wicklow Roundwood Scouts Group - €300; 7th Wicklow Scouts - 300; Alzheimers Society ( Wicklow) - €300; Annamoe Community Development - €300; Ashford Community Group - €300; Ballyguile Area Women’s Group - €300; BBH Group - €1,500; Broadlough View Estate Management - €300; Buion Muire Lourdes Girl Guides - €300; Coder Dojo Roundwood - €500; Companions Social Club - €300; Dublin/Wicklow Mountain Rescue - €500; Foróige Way Garda Youth Diversion Project - €1,500; Friends of Wicklow Community Service - €300; Glenealy Tidy Towns - €300; Kilmantin Arts Limited - €300; Laragh/Glendalough Active Retirement - €300; Laragh/Glendalough Tidy Towns - €300; Newtown & Newcastle Men’s Shed - €300; Newtown 2050 - €300; Newtownmountkennedy & District Tidy Towns - €300; Roundwood Active Retirement - €300; Roundwood Community Games - €1,000; Roundwood Tidy Towns - €300; Shamrock Celtic Football Club - €700; Shuttle Knit Ltd – CEART - €1,000; Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland ( Wicklow) - €500; Stage Youth Cafe - €1,000; Wicklow Child & Family Project - €1,000; Wicklow Christmas Together - €1,000; Wicklow Community Garden Group - €300; Wicklow Dementia Support - €300; Wicklow District Council of Foroige - €1,500; Wicklow Educate Together - €500; Wicklow Family Learning Programme - €500; Wicklow Macra na Feirme - €250; Wicklow Men’s Shed - €300; Wicklow Rugby Football Club - €750; Wicklow Town & District Chamber of Commerce - €1,000; Wicklow Town Community First Responders -€300; Wicklow Travellers’ Group - €1,500; Wildcats - €1,500.