Issue No. 43 | May 2025
South West Mayo Development Company CLG
Empowering Communities - Enriching Lives
In the Loop Newsletter
Mayo Self Advocacy Group, Western Care and
South West Mayo Development Company present ‘I.T. and Me’
Mayo Self Advocacy Group and Western Care Team members together with former Minister, Michael Ring, at the launch of ‘I.T. and Me’ at Mayo Movie World attended by almost 200 people.
‘I.T. and Me’ is a short film about how people can use technology in their everyday lives for enjoyment, communication and keeping in contact with their family and friends.
This film was made by the members of the Mayo Self Advocacy Group and Western Care in partnership with SWMDC’s Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP) team.
The group worked their ideas with a drama facilitator to form the basis for an educational film. Advocates are Peer Educators, and they want to share the learning with the wider public. To do this, we presented the film at Mayo Movie World, Castlebar during Mayo’s Social Inclusion Month, 29th April 2025.
In the short film, the Advocates demonstrate how to use technology such as making phone calls, using WhatsApp, text messages, using Google, and how I.T. can help with day-to-day communication.
The premier at Movie World Mayo was hugely well attended by Advocates, Western Care clients, members of the Board and staff of SWMDC, as well as special guests on the day including former Minister Michael Ring who officially launched the short film on the day.
Members of South West Mayo Development Company Board and Staff with former Minister, Michael Ring at the ‘I.T. and Me’ launch. Note: Noreen McGarry (far left) works with Western Care and represents the Disability Sector on the SWMDC Board.
Staff Updates
We are delighted to welcome Caroline Brennan to the team as our new Community Link Worker. Caroline’s role will focus on rolling out the Community Connection Project across Mayo. We also extend a warm welcome to David O’Malley who has joined as our new Rural Development Coordinator. David’s role will primarily involve the coordination of the LEADER programme but also extends to supporting and encouraging linkages among all relevant programmes in the company.
Over the last month, various training sessions have been taking place for staff including Dignity at Work and Epilepsy Awareness. We look forward to rolling out further training sessions for staff over the summer months.
Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities - Information Meeting
Back Left to Right: Deirdre Mc Donnell, Ready to Work Employment Specialist, Caroline O’Shaughnessy and Olivia Kitterick, SICAP Enterprise & Social Enterprise Officer.
Front: Ann Marie Jordan, Ready to Work Employment Liaison
South West Mayo Development Company was pleased to welcome Caroline O’Shaughnessy to our Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities Information Meeting held on 30th April in the Scouts Den, Castlebar. Caroline has an acquired disability and, having set up a successful business – Reskill Ireland – her story is one of resilience and transformation in the face of profound adversity.
She will tutor the Entrepreneurship course which SWMDC will run in September 2025, so it was a great opportunity for prospective participants to meet with and be inspired by her.
Caroline shared her experiences of serious illness and subsequent disability, all of which coincided with being made redundant, leading to depression and the threat of losing her home. Managing unpredictable symptoms and financial insecurity, Caroline struggled to find purpose and stability, but eventually found remote freelancing work and then completed a BA Honours Programme in Business, Social Enterprise, Leadership, and Management.
During her studies, Caroline developed the idea for a social enterprise to support others with disabilities into self-employment. Driven by her own challenges navigating welfare and freelance work, she co-founded Reskill Ireland CLG in 2023. The company offers mentoring and workshops to people with disabilities and other marginalised groups. Caroline now advocates for self-employment as a viable, empowering path for people with disabilities, using her lived experience to guide and inspire others through Reskill Ireland.
The Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities programme, which SWMDC will run in September 2025 with Caroline, will cover all aspects of setting up your own business and preparing a business plan. Topics will include: Business Models, Customer Segments & Value Proposition, Customer Relationships, Revenue Streams, Key Resources, Partnership and Cost Structures.
This course is customised and open to people with disabilities, self-identified or diagnosed, including ADHD and Autism. For more information, please contact Olivia on 087 060 4724 or okitterick@southmayo.com or Ann Marie on 087 203 2975 or amjordan@southmayo.com.
Funding Opportunity - First Choice Credit Union Community Fund
First Choice Credit Union has announced its 2025 Community Fund of €150,000. This is an increase of €50,000 on 2024. The fund is an initiative designed to support projects within the Credit Union’s common bond of Achill, Balla, Ballyhaunis, Castlebar, Kiltimagh, Swinford and surrounding areas, for Social, Cultural or Charitable purposes (including Community Development). Applications will be assessed on a case by case basis.
The Community Fund is for larger scale projects and initiatives that will benefit the wider community and is separate to the sponsorship and financial supports that First Choice Credit Union has long been associated with. These smaller sponsorships and financial supports will continue to be issued by the Credit Union.
Closing date for applications is 30th June 2025. To apply, simply complete and submit the online form which is available online here: https://firstchoicecreditunion.ie/community-fund/
International Women’s Day and National Tree Week
To celebrate International Women’s Day and National Tree Week, diverse social groups including schools, disability organisations, sports clubs, cultural groups and vulnerable communities of all ages in Castlebar, Co Mayo, came together to plant 100 heritage apple trees on Saturday 8th March 2025.
Over 60 community groups united to plant these two orchards and to spread the core principles behind this project:
- Bee kind to yourself
- Bee kind to others
- Bee kind to your community
- Bee kind to nature
South West Mayo Development Company is delighted to celebrate and champion this collaborative initiative which will benefit our community and environment for years to come.
Hearth - Art for Older People at Home
Members of the SWMDC SICAP team met with Deputy Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Social Protection and Rural and Community Development, MEPs Maria Walsh and Ciaran Mulloolly, and Deputy Rose Conway Walsh TD on 2 May 2025 at the Museum of County Life Turlough for the official launch and screening of a new documentary exploring a unique art project called Hearth – Art for Older People at Home. The documentary showcases the transformative impact of weekly art workshops for older individuals in their homes.
Hearth is a project that brings art into the homes of older people who are isolated geographically or restricted for other reasons. Each participant is visited by a skilled artist who is experienced in working with older people. The artist travels to the home of the older person weekly and facilitates a one-to-one workshop there.
The project was developed by Deirdre Walsh and Breda Mayock and after an initial pilot, continued from 2009 – 2016 with funding received from Atlantic Philanthropies, South West Mayo Development Company and Mayo County Council’s Community Gains Fund. Hearth is currently funded by Creative Ireland and supported by Mayo County Council Arts Service.
Photos feature members of the SWMDC SICAP team meeting with:
Deputy Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Social Protection and Rural & Community Development, MEPs Maria Walsh and Ciaran Mulloolly, & Deputy Rose Conway Walsh TD.
Mayo Social Enterprise Network Meeting in Kilmovee
South West Mayo Development Company wish to say a heartfelt thank you to all the speakers and participants who made the Mayo Social Enterprise Network event in Kilmovee on 13th May 2025 such a success. Special gratitude to Tommy Horan and Trisha Duffy from Kilmovee Community Centre for their insightful presentation on the incredible work their social enterprise does and the outstanding impact it has on the local community – from social housing and meals on wheels to training, heritage, and family support initiatives.
The attendees at the network meeting were privileged to hear from John Logue of SERI (Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland) who shared invaluable insights on the future of social enterprise, and Dr Clodagh O’Reilly of Social Enterprise Solutions, whose expertise on scaling social impact offered valuable knowledge to the attendees.
Thank you to all our presenters for their wonderful contributions and to everyone who attended and engaged in meaningful discussion. Your passion and commitment are what drive positive change in our communities. And a final thank you to Rita Hopkins of Mayo North East LEADER Partnership for the great collaboration, as always.
These social enterprise network meetings are part of SWMDC’s commitment to supporting the vibrant social enterprise economy in our area of operations. If you are involved in a social enterprise and would like to know more, please contact Olivia Kitterick, SICAP Enterprise & Social Enterprise Officer on 087 060 4724 or okitterick@southmayo.com.
SWMDC Chairperson appointed to national LDCN Chairperson role
Thomas Fitzpatrick, Chairperson of South West Mayo Development Company, has been appointed to the Chair of the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN), the national network of local development companies in Ireland.
Speaking on his appointment, Mr Fitzpatrick said, “I am delighted to make the transition from LDCN vice-Chairperson to take up the LDCN Chairperson role. As LDCN Chair, I will champion the important issues facing rural and urban areas across Ireland. LDCN member companies employ over 2,500 people implementing almost 100 programmes to support our people, place, and planet through an integrated approach to local development.”
Thomas thanked outgoing Chairperson, Martina Earley (CEO, Roscommon LEADER Partnership) for her huge commitment to advance the ambitions of LDCN and its member organisations throughout her tenure.
Thomas Fitzpatrick represents the farming sector as the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) nominee to our Board.
Pictured right: Thomas Fitzpatrick, SWMDC and LDCN Chairperson.
A Look Back Mayo Social Inclusion Month, April 2025
ONE EASTER TOGETHER
(Irish Ukrainian Integration Event)
A workshop was held in Claremorris for 32 children and adults to share Ukrainian and Irish Easter traditions and participate in Easter egg painting and decorating Easter baskets.
CELEBRATING SHEROES
SWMDC organised an event appreciating the realities of women’s lives, acknowledging the multiple roles women play and celebrating their achievements and resilience. 22 women attended the event which was filled with stories, song, dancing and games. Participants were given tips on self-care, a goodie bag to ignite the 5 senses and left feeling supported and rejuvenated.
MY PLACE TO PLAY
The ‘My Place to Play’ event, held in conjunction with Tulsa and Mayo County Childcare Committee, had a great turn out of parents, babies and toddlers. The event provided information to parents on the importance of play, infant mental health and provided practical tips on how to use and engage with the two packs made available, the baby play mat and the toddler play bag.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all who attended and who helped to organise the day, especially Lucy Dziurzynska who was on practice placement at SWMDC and to Laura Mulready from Mayo County Childcare Committee.
LDCN Launches Pre Budget Submission 2026 - Building Local Resilience in Uncertain Times
Minister of State Jerry Buttimer with LDCN & SWMDC Chairperson, Thomas Fitzpatrick
Rose Conway Walsh TD with LDCN & SWMDC Chairperson, Thomas Fitzpatrick, LDCN CEO Carol Baumann and SWMDC CEO, Sabina Trench
Keira Keogh TD with SWMDC CEO, Sabina Trench and LDCN & SWMDC Chairperson, Thomas Fitzpatrick
Minister of State Alan Dillon with SWMDC CEO, Sabina Trench and LDCN & SWMDC Chairperson, Thomas Fitzpatrick
On 14th May 2025 the Local Development Companies Network (LDCN), launched its Pre-Budget Submission 2026. The submission outlines a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen communities, address deepening inequality, and build social and economic resilience across Ireland.
“Budget 2026 must not retreat from ambition,” said Thomas Fitzpatrick, Chairperson of the LDCN. “At a time of geopolitical uncertainty and growing inequality, the Government must invest in local resilience—because resilient communities are the foundation of a resilient country.”
Key recommendations include:
- A 12% (€5.9m) increase in funding for SICAP, Ireland’s flagship social inclusion programme.
- Retention of the €10m “New Arrivals” SICAP funding to support migrant integration.
- €15m annual programme to support local and artisan food producers through the LEADER framework.
- €900k to pilot and expand the Community Climate Coaches initiative
- Increased investment in social enterprise supports incl. €3m grants programme and €1m EU co-financing match fund.
- €12m commitment to raise top-up payments for participants in CE, Tús, and the Rural Social Scheme.
Thanks very much to Minister of State Jerry Buttimer TD for attending and local elected Mayo representatives who took time from their busy schedules to attend this important pre-budget event.
