This began as a Community Development project in 2008 before the establishment of a Primary Health Care Project in Westmeath in 2013. Funded by the HSE the project worked with over 250 Traveller Families to;
Westmeath Traveller Project was established in September 2008, due to the identified need to have a more co-ordinated approach to working with the Traveller Community in Westmeath.
The Project is funded by the HSE through the Traveller Health Unit supported by the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP).
The Project works in Partnership with many organisations in Co. Westmeath including:
The Project is also linked to national organisations, Pavee Point and the Irish Traveller Movement.
Our Accommodation Worker provides information, advice and advocacy through an outreach service to Travellers in the Westmeath area. She also works with Westmeath County Council and Athlone Town Council to help families with housing applications and represents Travellers on the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (LTACC)
If you need information/advice on accommodation contact: Caroline Nevin on 086-8861905
Cultural Awareness Training is delivered by Christine Joyce and Caroline Nevin, both Community Development/Health Workers for Travellers in Westmeath.
Training is open to anyone who is involved in providing a service to Travellers or who are interested in Traveller Culture. Community, Voluntary and Statutory organisations can request the training for their organisation
The training is FREE to anyone in Co. Westmeath and can cater for between 8 – 23 participants. The workshops can be delivered for a half day or full day as required
Staff also provide an Understanding Conflict Presentation.
To avail of these workshops contact: Christine Joyce on 087-0995145 or Caroline Nevin on 086-8861905.
Primary Healthcare Projects for Travellers have been set up all over the country since 1994. The Project is peer-led and employs trained Community Health Workers who come from the Traveller community itself.
Westmeath Community Development, with financial backing and support from the HSE, have established a Primary Healthcare Project for Travellers in Westmeath. This project actively supports the participation of Travellers in all areas of health development within the community. This project is peer-led and employs trained community health workers, all of whom are members of the Traveller community. These community health workers carry out health promoting activities in all areas of Westmeath.
Blackberry Lane Development Group are supporting the redevelopment of Blackberry Lane, which includes the reopening of the Community Centre.
Grange Women’s group and Blackberry Lane Womens group were established as prt of the project. The groups take part in lots of different community activities, training and information events.
Westmeath Traveller Project supports residents group in Blackberry Lane, Athlone and Michaels Park in Mullingar.
