Issue No. 37 | November 2024
South West Mayo Development Company CLG
Empowering Communities - Enriching Lives
In the Loop Newsletter
During the month of November, we were delighted to welcome two international visiting groups to South West Mayo Development Company.
The first group came from Sweden and they were particularly interested in hearing about our social inclusion programmes and initiatives to support those people who are most vulnerable in our community.
Later in the month, we had a large group from The Netherlands, who spent four days visiting counties Mayo and Roscommon. During their two days in Mayo, they met with our new communities team, discovered more about our Ready to Work programme and visited Castlebar Social Services and a social farming project in north Mayo.
The visitors were particularly struck by SWMDC’s commitment to employing people with lived experience of the asylum seeking process and the war in Ukraine.
Mayo Sports Partnership also met with the group, and we thank Ray McNamara, Senior Sports Office for coordinating their visit to Mayo County Council.
Mayo Ideas Month 2024 - Destination Clew Bay: A Bright Future
South West Mayo Development Company was delighted to partner with Fáilte Ireland for our Mayo Ideas Month 2024 event, Destination Clew Bay – A bright future.
The event provided attendees with updates on current and planned tourism initiatives in the Clew Bay area including the Fáilte Ireland Destination and Experience Development Plan, launched in November 2021.
Presentations included a Wild Atlantic Way update by Daithí Gallagher (Fáilte Ireland), Clew Bay Recreational Trails by Martin Dillane, SWMDC, Clew Bay Destination and Experience Development Plan update by Fionnán Nestor, Fáilte Ireland and updates on the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve by Seán Carolan, SWMDC.
During the panel discussion, the almost 40 people in attendance had an opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities, consider ideas, innovations and supports that might advance the various initiatives presented on the day.
This event was just one of a series of events throughout Mayo during the very successful Mayo Ideas Month, coordinated by Local Enterprise Office, Mayo.
Staff Updates
November Leavers
After almost 14 years, Peg McGrail, Finance Officer, departed South West Mayo Development Company earlier this month. Peg provided excellent financial support to all her programmes including SICAP, Community Employment and the Western Region Drug & Alcohol Task Force to name a few. Over the years Peg developed excellent working relationships with her colleagues and external funding partners.
Seán Carolan, Rural Development (LEADER) Manager, will be leaving us at the end of November after almost two and a half years with South West Mayo Development Company. Seán contributed to bringing the LEADER 2016 – 2022 programme to a successful conclusion, with 176 projects completed and almost €8 million in grants distributed. Seán led the development of our two Local Development Strategy submissions for the new LEADER programme, which we hope will be successful soon.
Máire Goggins, Life Long Learning Officer, is also moving on after covering a short-term vacancy in the company. We thank Máire for her contribution and wish he every success in her new role beyond SWMDC.
November Joiners
Welcome Tony Hetherington, Rural Social Scheme Supervisor, who has just started with the company. Tony will work the communities and participants in the Castlebar and surrounding area. If you meet Tony out and about, please do what you can to help him settle into his new role.
Rural Social Scheme Retirement
We bid a fond farewell to Rural Social Scheme participant Tom Solan who retired from our Rural Social Scheme after 20 years of dedicated service to the community. Over the years, we estimate that Tom provided over 18,000 hours of support to his local community. What an amazing legacy
If you are interested in becoming a Rural Social Scheme participant, we have vacancies throughout south and west Mayo. This is a scheme specifically designed for farming families, fishermen and fisherwomen. Eligible applicants will work 19.5 hours per week in a community/voluntary setting.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in participating on the Rural Social Scheme, please get in touch with us at info@southmayo.com or 094 936 6692 for more information.
Pictured is Frank McNeela, Rural Social Scheme Supervisor making a presentation to Tom on the occasion of his retirement.
Social Enterprise: Networking for Success
The partnership between South West Mayo Development Company and Mayo North East LEADER Partnership in supporting social enterprises in County Mayo continued with an excellent networking event recently. The event brought together managers and staff of local social enterprises with presenters on a range of topics including sustainability, fundraising, the WorkAbility / Ready to Work programme, LEO Mayo and Rethink Ireland supports. Thank you to our speakers and to all those who took the time to attend.
Mayo Community Futures - Call for Community Development Support Workers
In association with Mayo County Council (Community & Integrated Development), South West Mayo Development Company, is inviting applications for Community Development Support Workers.
With the support of the Community Futures Co-ordinator and Community Development Worker and Community Steering Group, the successful candidates will assist communities with the preparation and development of their five-year action plan.
Contract Duration: 6-months
Time Commitment: 40 days over the 6-month period
Working Hours: Hours are flexible, but the Support Worker must be available to work evenings and some weekends.
Training: Training will be provided to the successful candidates.
Suitable candidates should have:
- An interest in community development
- Experience of working in community and voluntary organisations
- Excellent computer skills (MS Office 365 including Word, Excel, Teams) and have access to email
- Good organisational and time management skills
- Excellent report writing and interpersonal skills
- Full clean current driving licence
If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply in writing with your CV. The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday, 29th November 2024. Or if you would like more information, please contact: Mayo Community Futures, South West Mayo Development Company, Main Street, Balla, Co. Mayo or email Geraldine at gleneghan@communityfutures.ie.
Irish Local Development Network Update
South West Mayo Development Company is a proud and active member of the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN), the umbrella body which represents local development companies in Ireland.
Our Chairperson, Thomas Fitzpatrick is the vice-Chairperson of the ILDN and our CEO, Sabina Trench is a member on several working groups, fora, and project groups within the network. Included in this, Sabina is a member of the Department of Social Protection (DSP) RSS & Tús Steering Group and the LEADER Operating Rules Working Group, which is coordinated by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD).
Representation on these national groups is vital to ensure that the voice of SWMDC and the local development companies operating in the west of Ireland are heard at decision making level for these important programmes.
Pictured here is Thomas Fitzpatrick, ILDN Vice-Chairperson with L-R Martina Earley, ILDN Chairperson and Carol Baumann, ILDN CEO.
