Issue No. 35 | September 2024
South West Mayo Development Company CLG
Empowering Communities - Enriching Lives
In the Loop Newsletter
A very important milestone was reached for our fledgling Ready To Work programme as one of our participants, Peter, took his first steps towards paid employment.
Our Ready to Work team engaged with Deirdre Fahey, our Social Farming Regional Development Officer to assist us with developing Peter’s skills and for him to get some valuable work experience on an active farm.
Peter is very interested in animals and growing plants, so getting him involved with Social Farming was a great outcome. We visited Barbara on her farm, in Partry, and Peter was very impressed with the animals and the variety of fruit and veg growing.
Peter started work on the farm in September, and despite some initial nerves, he got stuck into harvesting the lettuce and cucumbers and feeding the animals. He is very much looking forward to work again next week. Many thanks to Deirdre for her assistance and for collaborating with us on her wonderful Social Farming programme.
We have had great interest and engagement from stakeholders, support services, and potential employers since the start of September, so this should be the first of many work placements from the Ready To Work programme.
This also shows the added value that SWMDC can bring to our clients by harnessing our various programmes together to deliver positive outcomes for all.
For more information about the Ready To Work programme and how to get involved, please contact: Email: info@southmayo.com | Phone: 098 419 50
Living Well Programme Autumn/Winter 2024 Schedule
We are delighted to announce our Living Well Programme Autumn/Winter 2024 schedule.
This is a free (HSE-funded) group programme for adults living with any long-term or chronic health condition. It takes place over six weekly workshops (6 x 2.5 hours) – and aims to help participants learn new skills to manage their health and wellbeing.
For further information or to register your place, please contact Fiona Cunnane, Living Well Programme Co-ordinator on 087 718 5615 or fcunnane@southmayo.com.
Western Region Drug & Alcohol Task Force - Stay Safe | Stay Sober
Our annual WRDATF ‘Stay safe, stay sober’ personal safety programme, for students receiving Junior Cert results this autumn, is currently being rolled out to our 26 secondary schools in Mayo.
The initiative is being rolled out by our WRDATF Education Support Worker, Gillian Conway and members of An Garda Síochána Community Policing teams around County Mayo.
We are delighted to offer this educational workshop to our school Transition Year groups and it has been widely, positively received.
For more information, please see www.wrdatf.ie, or contact info@wrdatf.ie for more details.
Staff Updates
Máire Goggins joined us in September 2024 as SICAP Life Long Learning Officer, based in our Newport office. We wish Máire every success in her new role with the company in the weeks and months ahead.
SWMDC is in a growth phase, and we have regular job opportunities coming up in the company. Please keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates as they become available.
Mayo Ideas Month 2024 - Destination Clew Bay: A bright future
South West Mayo Development Company is delighted to partner with Fáilte Ireland for a Mayo Ideas Month 2024 event, Destination Clew Bay – A bright future.
The event will feature a range of presentations from SWMDC and Fáilte Ireland with useful updates and information on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Clew Bay Destination and Experience and Development Plan, our recreational trails network, and the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve.
The event will end in a panel discussion, where attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the presentations in more detail, and highlight future opportunities for development.
If you would like a book a place at the event, please call us on 098 419 50 or email, info@southmayo.com. The event is free, but places are limited.
