NEW COMMUNITIES
South West Mayo Development Company has been working with new communities for some time, and we were responsible for the Syrian Resettlement Programme in County Mayo. If you an asylum seeker, a refugee or vulnerable Third Country National (TCN), our SICAP and WIN teams can support you. Please click on the links below for more information.
About the New Communities
New communities include migrant, refugee, asylum-seeker, and ethnic minority communities who have settled in Ireland. SWMDC supports migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and their families through information, advocacy, integration, and cross-cultural projects aimed at helping individuals and families build successful, inclusive lives in Ireland while ensuring their rights and voices are represented. New Communities work involves supporting the inclusion, participation, and well-being of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and their families in Irish society. This can include:
- Integration and social inclusion – helping people participate in their local communities, education, employment, and public life
- Advocacy and representation – ensuring migrant and refugee voices are heard in policy and decision-making processes
- Information and support services – providing advice on immigration, citizenship, housing, education, healthcare, social welfare, and employment rights.
- Community development – helping migrant-led groups establish networks, leadership skills, and community initiatives.
- Intercultural awareness – promoting understanding and positive relationships between diverse communities in Ireland.
- Support for refugees and asylum seekers – assisting people living in IPAS accommodation, navigating the asylum process, and accessing services.
For enquiries contact:
Vicci Tallis
New Communities Coordinator
e: vtallis@southmayo.com
New Communities Programmes:
The Welcoming and Including New Communities (WIN) Project is a county-wide integration and community development initiative that supports refugees, people seeking international protection, beneficiaries of temporary protection, migrants and other new residents to successfully settle and participate in life across County Mayo. Working collaboratively with statutory agencies, community organisations, schools, sports clubs and voluntary groups, the project promotes social inclusion, strengthens community cohesion and helps create welcoming communities where everyone can belong, contribute and thrive.
WIN provides practical support to individuals and families by offering information, guidance and signposting on immigration processes, including permissions, IRP registration, family reunification, travel documents and citizenship applications, while also helping people access housing support, and other services, such as education, employment, and healthcare. Through community engagement, volunteering, intercultural events, partnership working and capacity building, the project reduces social isolation, empowers new arrivals to participate fully in community life and strengthens the ability of local communities to embrace diversity and inclusion.
This project is funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU, through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
CONTACT
Catherine McGreal
e: cmcgreal@southmayo.com
Peter Duffy
e: pduffy@southmayo.com
Family Support Practitioners provide specialised family support for International Protection Applicant (IPA) families living in IPAS accommodation centres in Mayo, offering both early intervention and intensive support for families experiencing complex trauma. Our work combines practical and emotional assistance in the centres, including parenting support, psycho‑education on trauma, and structured activities that help parents and children feel safer, more connected, and better able to cope with anticipated challenges. We collaborate closely with statutory and community services so that families can access health, education, and wider social supports, ensuring a coordinated response to both immediate needs and longer‑term resilience.
CONTACT
Galyna Marusych
e: galynamarusych@southmayo.com
Hilda Masterson
e: hmasterson@southmayo.com
Lisa Anderson
e: landerson@southmayo.com
The aim of the Community Connections Project is to directly engage with local communities to understand and tackle challenges and concerns in the context of community integration, while also developing evidence, good practice, and stronger communication strategies that help communities navigate change and build cohesion.
The programme has a strong research focus with county results being fed into the national framework. Using a community development approach, the programme looks to develop inclusive responses to community integration, whilst establishing facts and countering misinformation at the same time. The goal is for community members to have honest conversations about how they are feeling to unite, build resilience and capacity to learn and empathise with one another.
CONTACT
Caroline Brennan
e: cbrennan@southmayo.com
Our Resettlement Programme supports refugees as they build safe, independent, and fulfilling lives in their new communities. Through personalised guidance, practical support, and access to essential services, we help participants navigate housing, education, employment, healthcare, language learning, and community integration. Our holistic approach empowers people to develop the skills, confidence, and connections they need to thrive and successfully settle into their new environment.
CONTACT
Mary Keane
e: mkeane@southmayo.com
Niail Cherbatji
e: ncherbatji@southmayo.com
The New Arrivals SICAP team focuses on supporting Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs), International Protection Applicants and Refugees living in communal settings and in the community.
The role of the team is to make sure people are informed about and supported to engage with local activities – building a bridge to further education, volunteering and employment. The team support people who are dealing with trauma and ongoing mental health issues get the support they need. The New Arrivals team also help people navigate the immigration system and help them understand how changes in regulations and laws may affect them.
CONTACT
Helen O’Neill
e: honeill@southmayo.com
Oleksandra Sikach
e: osikach@southmayo.com
Patricia Quinn
e: pquinn@southmayo.com
