ALISON COMYN VISITS THE RED DOOR PROJECT ON THE DUBLIN ROAD
THE DOORWAY WHICH LEADS TO BRIGHTER ROAD AHEAD
HOPE. Courage. Belonging.
Three words painted on window boxes on a house on the Dublin Road, signifying what lies behind the Red Door for those in need who enter.
The Red Door project is a community based organisation, providing confidential assistance and services to people, their families and the community who are affected by drug and alcohol use.
The service has been housed in the former Fatima School since 2015, when the Sisters of Mercy donated the building for their use, and last week, they threw open their doors to the public for their first Summer Fair, selling handcrafted goods by those who benefit from their services.
“We have had very successful Christmas Fairs in the past, and we thought it would be nice to hold one in the summer too,” explains Joanne O’Dwyer, an addiction counsellor who has worked in the project for two years.
“Through our activities and our holistic therapy, along with work experience and education, our goal is to start with small steps on the road to recovery and provide support all along the way.”
The premises are divided into two distinct services – the front housing a low-threshold drop-in centre, where all are welcome to stop by, and the addiction and recovery service, where 21 participants are trying to secure an addiction-free future.
Manager Louise Mahoney has been on board since they started in 2010, from a small house in Leyland Place.
“Our title was much more of a mouthful back then – the Louth Community Drug and Alcohol Team but the house had a red door, so the name stuck,” says Louise, who has been a nurse and addiction counsellor for over 20 years.
“We started small, with just two up and tow down, which meant we couldn’t have all the services under one roof, so it has made a huge difference to have everything here on the Dublin Road.”
The Sisters of Mercy donated the building, as they couldn’t carry out the services themselves anymore, and feel the project can continue the hopes they have for the more marginalised people in society.
“Even though we have no religious affiliation, they believe in our work, and we want the same things – to give people hope for a better future,” she explains.
“We now have 21 addiction and recovery places, and 32 CE (Community Enterprise) schemes, so we concentrate on recovery and relapse, so participants might hold down work.”
Mayor of Drogheda Pio Smith looks after the CE side of things with Joanne, and believes through the therapy and work experience, it gives participants a goal to aim for.
“A lot can’t get jobs the usual way due to addiction or lack of structure, or there might not be a work ethic where they come from, but here they buy into what’s going on and when you see a different side of life, it gives you hope for a better future.” He says the local business community is a huge support, to help former addicts have a second chance.
“I work with places like the City North Hotel, to secure work placements or projects,” he says, “and the hope is when they leave here, they are well prepared to search for a real job.” LOCAL campaigner and fundraiser Phil Conyngham did her bit to ease the financial burden on the Red Door Project last week, as she presented them with a cheque for €1,800.
The money was raised by the Drogheda Cares at Christmas group, through various events they held in the town, and presented the cheque at the Summer Fair last week along with Fr Colm O’Mahony.
It is hoped the money will help with the renovations of the new kitchen in the Dublin Road building, as well as the upkeep of the garden.
“I am delighted to be able to support the fantastic work they do, and I have to say, I am absolutely amazed at how good the place looks,” says Phil, who worked for years with the North East Drugs Taskforce.
“We raised the money through a sponsored fast and device switch-off, as well as the church collection the day before Christmas.”
Another €1,800 raised went to fund a community centre in Uganda, to assist work done by local man Andrew Kierans.
Phil has known the team at the Red Door for years, and says it is shocking they must rely so heavily on funding.
“This is such a genuine place for people to drop-in and get support, you would think it would be valued more by the powers that be,” she adds. “I must say I was very impressed by the handicrafts, and bought a few bracelets and windchimes for myself.”