In early 2006, Westmeath Community Development, Westmeath County Council, Athlone Community Taskforce and The Westmeath Community and Voluntary Forum under the umbrella of Westmeath County Development Board were successful in their request to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for funding of a project to set up a Volunteer Centre for County Westmeath. 

For more information on the volunteer centre and volunteering, please click on any of the links below.

Contact: Catriona Corcoran (Co-ordinator)

Address: Westmeath Community Development Ltd, 2^nd Floor, Presentation House, Harbour St, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel: 044 9348571

Funding: Health Service Executive (HSE)

For more information, click on the article below.

Mullingar Open Door Project

The Open Door Athlone

The Open Door project was first established in 2001 in Athlone and was one of the first projects of its kind in the country. Initially developed as a drop in centre for marginalized men, the project has developed over the years and now delivers training and one to one counseling to marginalized people in the county.

It has been supported over the years by FAS, DSAF, HSE, Westmeath County Council, Westmeath Employment Pact, Dept of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Midland Regional Drugs Taskforce. 

The project was started by Athlone Community Taskforce and became a WCD project in November 2007 as part of the cohesion process. It is now one of two Open Door projects in Co Westmeath, following the establishment of the Open Door project in Mullingar.

The Mission Statement

To support, facilitate and promote the development of marginalized clients, so that they may reach their fullest potential and thereby become valued members within their own lives homes and communities.

The objective of the project is to break the cycle or routine these men and women have adopted by engagement in activities and programmes identified by the participants themselves and the coordinator and staff. The projects’ work is solution focused rather than problem focused. We seek to change attitude, thinking and behaviour and serve as catalyst for empowerment and personal change.     

Our drop-in centre serves as a point of engagement and first place of interaction. Here the clients are befriended where trust and friendship are established. Limited recreational activities are on offer to the clients as is breakfast, light lunch, shower/shave facilities, washing machine, T.V. pool table etc. Staff at the centre may act in an advocacy role with other services on behalf of clients, i.e. HSE, DSFA, MQI and the Midland’s Simon as well as getting a picture of what the client’s world is like. Initially, a cushion time of weeks is afforded to each client to stabilize. During this time readiness to change, motivation levels, health needs, quality of life assessment, relationship status, are all undertaken so as to get a picture of the clients’ world.

Each client has the opportunity to engage in one-to-one counseling (Key Working) The Project manager and the Out Reach worker are both addiction counselors at the centre and engage the clients in key working and goal setting as well as looking at the issues such as addiction and problems existing in the client’s life.  A part-time Psychotherapist also works at the Centre. The work at the project takes a holistic approach.

Attendance is voluntary and became operational for women in September 2008.. The holistic approach along with a counseling ethos has proven to work for the men and women attending the Athlone Open-Door project and we continue to offer our services to clients in the greater Athlone area.

The drop-in centre is opened Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5:00pm. For further information contact Willie Mullin on 0906498909 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Community Employment Programme Athlone  

The Community Employment shceme has been in operation in Athlone since 1994, initially under ATHLONE Community Taskforce with WCDL becoming the sponsor in 2007.  

Projects to date have been very successful and have focused on offering support to the wider community through various different measures.

1.      By employing workers to carry out socially valuable work in an area of disadvantage, and improve social conditions by being part of an after-schools project, thus encouraging the youth to continue in their education thereby combating early school leaving.

 2.      By employing workers in areas that give significant benefit to the community at large e.g., Lone Parents Support Workers, Athlone CIC, Open Door, TFE, Refugee Site Creche, After Schools Projects  etc 

 3.      By providing ongoing training, support, mentoring and skills updating to the Community Employment workers thereby increasing their chances of gaining full or part-time employment or go on to further training/education.

 4.      By providing reception and maintenance support to the Business Development Centre and its clients.

At present we have 27 positions with the programme.  We have a 50% progression rate form CE with our participants moving on to both full time and part time work , as fits in with their own lifestyle.  The training undertaken by participants while on CE varies from IT Skills to Childcare to Holistic Medicine, from FETAC level 3 to degree courses and everywhere in between.  Participants are given the opportunity to move and progress at their own pace, with help and encouragement throughout. 

While on the programme they are given real and valuable jobs and are encouraged to work at these positions and to take on responsibilities in order to build their confidence for the wider job market.

A tracking system is in place to follow a participant’s progress for 2 years after they leave CE, in this way we continue to offer assistance and encouragement while they find their feet and become more settled in the wider job market.

Participants must work 19.5 hours per week while on the scheme, to eligible in the first place potential participants must be 12 months in receipt of a social welfare benefit and 25 or over. Travellers, ex-offenders, refugees, people with disabilities or referred by the Drugs Ttaskforce come under different eligibility criteria and do not have to meet the age of 25.  Length of time a person is entitled to a scheme depends on age and time previously spent on social welfare.

For further information please contact Geraldine Morrissey on 0906498027 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Business Training Programme runs for 16 weeks.

All the skills involved in bringing a project from the idea through to commercial reality are studied, practised and put into effect.

Participants will work closely with the Business Management Consultants on a one-to-one basis during the course of the programme.

In this way every participant benefits from speciflc and personal advice so valuable at the beginning of every successfiul project.

The Programme is for:

• C.E. participants,
• unemployed people,
  lone parents,
• low income farmers and
• various other target groups with an idea
  for product or service.

Those who feel comfortable that they could handle this product or service but are not sure how to go about it should apply through the numbers below.

After this they will be invited to an informal chat to discuss the idea.

Applications may be made to:

• Dan Grehan or Mike Brennan at Enterprise Technology and Innovation Centre, Clonmore Industrial Estate, Mullingar, County Westmeath  Telephone: 044-9348571
• Seamus McKenna, Athlone Community Taskforce,  090644555
• Bernie Mannion  Dr. Stephens Centre Athlone 09064-73001
• Eddie Flynn at FAS 044 9348805
• Outreach office: SWEETS, The Crescent, Kilbeggan: 0506 32030

PROGRAMME FEATURES

It provides a structured development programme to those who wish to start a new venture. The participant will usually have started trading prior to the end of the programme.

Participants will receive skills in Financial Planning and Control, Market Research and all the other skills involved in bringing a project from the idea stage through to the
commencement of trading.

Practical research in the market place, tutorials and group projects will be reflected in a formal Business Plan prepared by the participant which can be used for obtaining finance for the new venture.

All functional costs will be borne by FAS & WCDL and candidates will receive an allowance for the duration of the programme.

TESTIMONIAL

“Having completed the ‘Start Your Own Business Course’ I realised I was on the right track. I also realised my weaknesses would hinder progress. I found many new true friends and shared experiences.
We all gained in terms of running a successful, sustainable business venture. This is a must for all start-up enthusiasts”.  Ed

For example:

• Building repairs
• Typing service
• Gardening
• Childminding
• Photography
• Electrical work
• Car repairs
• Dressmaking
• Hairdressing
• Window cleaning
• Framing pictures

You’ve got to assess your market

Ask yourself and other people these questions:

• Is there really a need for this service?
• How much would people be prepared to pay?
• How many other people are offering this service?
• How do other people advertise their service?
• How much does it cost to advertise?

Then assess yourself:

• your skills
• your interests
• your knowledge
• your experience

The Afterschool service, first opened its door in January 1995, initially under Athlone Community Taskforce, with Westmeath Community Development taking ownership in July 08, employing 1 full time manager, 5 supervisors funded through the National Childcare Investment Programme, 10 after School Workers funded through FAS under the Community Employment Scheme. Also 4 Staff funded through the Dormant Accounts to provide extra professional support in the areas of Numeracy and literacy skills, music drama, recreational.

To date WCDL now operates 3 After School Services in the Rapid area’s of Athlone, with 87 children attending daily, funded through the National Childcare Investment Programme the service offers a wide range of activities that meets the needs of the children in their developmental area’s, and to aid and support children of Athlone by providing a quality After School Service to enhance their learning abilities and build their self esteem thus, breaking the trend of early school leaving. Our aim is to provide young people at risk with extra support, and our objectives to break the early school leaving trend, raise awareness of the importance of education in the community, and to support the work of the schools by providing extra tutorials, e.g. Irish and Maths for children who need extra help.

The after school service operates from Monday to Friday 2pm to 6pm, also opening when schools are closed i.e. Midterm, Halloween, Easter, and Summer, offering full day camps to facilitate Parent/Guardians whom are in training, education, or part-time employment. Children are also provided with a Hot Snack on their arrival, funded through DSFA.

If you would like to know more about the After School services, you can contact Sinead Casey 09064 94555 or email; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

History

Athlone Community Taskforce Job Club was originally set-up in 2004 with the financial and development support from FÁS with the aim of providing a service for the local unemployed people to help them find suitable work. This service has come under the umbrella of WCDL since the 2007. 

The Job club is a practical course in which members develop skills, which they will use in actual job finding activities under the guidance and care of the Jobs Club Staff.

How long is the course?

The course is run for a duration of 2 weeks – Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm  however services are available to people for as long as they need them.

Course Content

CV preparation, cover letters/letters of application, telephone skills, interview skills, interview practice, mock interviews, self-confidence, career planning, job targeting, sourcing and applying for jobs.

Who can take part?

Members of the Job Club should be aged   between 16 and 64 and have a genuine interest in obtaining employment/training.  You do not have to be on social welfare payment but if you are it will not be affected if you decide to become a member of the Jobs Club.

What do I Gain?

Those who take part in the Job club course will:

• Receive support in all aspects of the job   hunting process—sourcing employment, writing a C.V./cover letters, interview   experience etc.
  
• Develop job seeking skills
  
• Have access to the facilities of the job club
  
• Have the chance to explore local work opportunities
  
• Have the opportunity to identify their own strengths and skills and match them to local work opportunities
  
• Develop a network of contacts which can actively help them in obtaining work
  
• An expense allowance of €20 per week

Course Duration

2 Weeks, Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm

However services are available to people for as long as they need them.

DROP IN / ONE to ONE  SERVICE:

• Free C.V. compiled
  
• Copies of your C.V. sent to potential employers of your choice
  
• Free postage for job applications
  
• Free telephone calls to prospective employers
  
• Free photocopying
  
• Free typing/letter writing service
  
• Access to all national and local papers—job vacancies
  
• Access to computer and internet to source training and  employment
  
• Interview practice by appointment
  
• Access to Driving Theory Test Practice on CD ROM
  
• Referrals to training and other  local support services
  
• Assistance with job application forms

This is a free and confidential service

We are currently enrolling  for our next course if  you are interested or need more information

Please contact:

Noel  -  Job Club Coordinator - Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Deirdre  -  Job Club Administrator - Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

On

090 6494555

Or Your

Local FÁS Office

To Download a flyer, please click here

This is a free and confidential service

The Millennium Partnership Fund for Disadvantage: Access to Third Level Education was announced by the Minister for Education & Science in September 2000.  Pobal has managed the fund to date in collaboration with the National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education. 

What is the objective of the Fund?
The Millennium Partnership Fund is available to students from Pobal-funded Partnership and Community Partnership areas to support their retention and participation in further and/or higher education. 

How can I access Millennium funding?
Students who are in need of additional assistance in completing further and/or higher education studies may apply to the Partnership or Community Partnership in the area where they have been awarded a Local Authority or VEC grant. The following supports are generally available under the Fund but it is advisable to check with the local group for confirmation:

• Financial supports to meet participation costs
• Provision of Information e.g. guidance and mentoring
• Study supports including tuition and study skills.

When is the Fund available?
Enquiries regarding criteria, closing dates and applications for the fund should be made to your local Partnership or Community Partnership at the start of the academic year in question.

What other funding is available?
Ranges of other supports are available - one of the most important financial supports is grant schemes, which are accessible through the county/city council or VEC.  Information on these and a variety of others can be found in Financial Support for Further and Higher Education 2007/2008- a booklet published by the Student Support Unit in the DES.  Please contact the DES at 0506-24300 for a copy.

Another interesting source of information is the HEAwebsite: www.studentfinance.ie  which is a comprehensive information resource on financial supports for students in further and higher education. www.studentfinance.ie provides user-friendly information on a variety of schemes, including

• Maintenance grant schemes
• Student Assistance Fund
• Fund for Students with Disabilities
• Back to Education Allowance
• Tuition fee schemes
• Millennium Partnership Fund

Food and Health Project

The Food and Health Project is a joint initiative between Westmeath Community Development,  and The HSE Dublin Mid- Leinster. This project is funded by the HSE

The project was set up in 1999, initially with Athlone Community Taskforce, and became a Westmeath Community Development initiative in 2007. We train Food and Health Instructors to deliver the programme to groups in Longford and Westmeath. The use of a Healthy Food Made Easy pack (Dept of Health), plus the Food and Health Coordinator,  the Community Dietician from the HSE and the instructors are the key elements of the project.

The project is a peer led nutrition education programme. It is aimed at community groups especially where cost is a major consideration. The emphasis on group work that is practical and fun is a great concern for the instructor. The course consists of 6 sessions each lasting 2-2.5 hours

The Local coordinator is appointed to liaise with community groups and the instructors. An evaluation of the course and instructor is filled out at the end of the 6 wks in order to keep the courses and instructors updated to the needs of the groups

The project is based in Athlone with courses being available to groups throughout Longford and Westmeath.   It offers 2 additional  courses to groups:

·         Cooking for Health:  A 6 session course, this is offered to groups wanting a more practical approach

·         Cool Dude Food Program: A 5 session course offered to younger people, this course has cookery and other activities

All programs are aimed at people who are living on a tight budget.   If you want any more information or your group wants to apply to undertake a course; we’d love to hear from you – For Westmeath and Longford contact Karen: 09064 93906 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Job Initiative Programme   

In 1998 Athlone  Communtiy Taskforce applied for and were successful in securing the status of Management Agent for the F.A.S. Job Initiative Project in the Athlone area.

Job Initiative is a programme providing full-time employment for people who are 35 years of age or over, unemployed for 5 years or more and in receipt of social welfare payment over that period.  The aim of the Job Initiative programme is to assist long term unemployed persons to prepare for work opportunities in the open labour market.  The programme does this by providing participants with work experience, training and development opportunities. The same employment conditions apply to the programme as in other jobs.  For example participants have the same employments rights and protection regarding annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, etc.  

In  2008 under the cohesion process Westmeath Community Development Ltd. took over almost all  projects within Athlone Community Taskforce Job Initiative being one of these. 

In November 2004 the minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Micheal Martin introduced some changes to the Job Initiative programme.  Participants now can remain employed on Job Initiative indefinitely as opposed to the three year rule which was in effect up to the end of 2004.  

Presently Westmeath Community Development Ltd has 17 participants on the programme and are seconded to 10 local community based projects. They are engaged in the provision of a wide variety of services i.e. childcare, maintenance/caretaker, info. technology instructors,  info./development worker, enterprise support worker, drivers, information officer and computer accounts manager.  A tracking system was introduced in which we follow participants progress for two years after leaving Job Initiative and offer ongoing support to them in adapting into full time employment.    

For further information please contact Ann Hopkins on 09064-98027 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Renewable Energy Project

Supported by Westmeath Community Development under the LEADER + Programme and also by Westmeath County Council, BioXL carried out a review of renewable energy resources in Westmeath which could support Rural Development. Renewable energies investigated include: the growing of bioenergy crops such as oilseed rape, miscanthus and willow; the production potential of wind energy and hydro-power in addition to Co. Westmeath’s wood energy resource. Renewable energy activities currently underway in Co. Westmeath such as the production of biodiesel, anaerobic digestion and others have also been identified.