Little Friends Little Needs going strong in Castlelyons
‘From little acorns, mighty oaks grow’ is a phrase that describes the development and progress of the Little Friends Little Needs group in Castlelyons.
This week marks the first anniversary of the group's foundation, which was originally an idea shared online and has now grown into a vibrant community initiative.
When playgrounds reopened last summer, Carol Shanahan from Castlelyons sought a safe space for 'all and any children with special and/or additional needs' where they could use a park freely without any judgement. This also meant that parents in similar situations to Carol could meet, share their experiences and support one another.
“I initially set up this group to help parents like myself who have children with special/ additional needs. We hoped this group would last for a few months until the society and schools opened back up after Covid,” Carol said
Speaking with The Avondhu, Carol noted that the group has ‘grown and grown’. On the first night of the Little Friends Little Needs, she noted that there were roughly five or six families, but now there are fifteen or more families involved in the initiative.
The group now extends beyond the parish of Castlelyons, with people from Rathcormac, Fermoy and beyond involved.
“Parents involved met as strangers, then became friends and then became a family. This is a group that supports each other, gives guidance and encouragement, a group that has simply made us belong,” Carol added.
Last July, Castlelyons Community Council representative James Ronayne and local councillor, William O’Leary, brought the initiative to the notice of Cork County Council, suggesting that the group be given use of the local Fr Ferris Community Playground for an hour each Friday. Cork County Council gave the group the go-ahead.
Carol thanked the public, the council and the community for the support to date.
“This would not have been possible without the support and guidance from so many people. James Ronayne and Cllr William O'Leary deserve a lot of recognition for the amount of work that they both have done behind the scenes, making sure this group will continue to grow.
“We would also like to acknowledge the great community of Castlelyons. The support we have received is overwhelming. We both acknowledge and appreciate you giving us the time in the playground each Friday. We know Little Friends Little Needs is respected by so many and we thank you for that,” Carol said. A SAFE SPACE, WEEKLY
Little Friends Little Needs meet in Fr Ferris Community Playground in Castlelyons every Friday from 5pm to 7pm and offers a safe space and time for all children with special and additional needs.
From the initiative, another group has also stemmed, GAA Little All Stars, organised by Castlelyons GAA, which is a football group for children with special and additional needs who meet every Tuesday from 5pm to 6pm.
Carol added that new members are ‘always welcome’ to Little Friends Little Needs and those who wish to get in contact can ring her on 086-2422102.