Westmeath Community Development Linda-Jo Quinn SICAP Community Development Co-ordinator Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme

The Aim of SICAP is to reduce Poverty and promote Social Inclusion and Equality Goal 1: Supporting Disadvantaged Communities

 We find out what communities need and try and help them to solve their problems  We work together with other agencies to help address social exclusion & equality issues Who do We work With?

Communities of Interest Travellers, Geographic areas, mainly Local Authority estates in People with Disabilities, rural and urban areas in Older People, Co Westmeath Unemployed, New Communities Action 1. Development Work in Rural Areas

 We are working in 17 designated areas/estates in rural towns /villages Ballinacargy- Carrickmore and Tower View - Market Hill - Castlegrove/ Old View Glenview - Wood side Park - Castletown Court and Clondrone estates , - Brosna , - Bundaire - Ave Maria, Mount Carmel and Colin Bui , - Ashcroft Park and Villiage close Rochfordbridge- Brookfield and Castlepark estates Action 1. Development Work in Rural Areas

 Our aim is to support residents to come together, form a group, develop a plan, and help local areas identify important issues which need addressing. €1,500 Grant

 We help Groups to work with the relevant agencies to get their issues addressed.  IE, illegal dumping, anti social behaviour, road safety Action 2 Empowering Local Communities

 When we work with groups, we find out what training needs they may have and we try to organise training/workshops to suit the needs of the group Examples of some training workshops organised  Committee skills, Funding Workshop, Understanding Equality, Mental Health, Communication skills small engines training, How to use ZOOM, Computers, Media Skills, Disability Awareness  We also help groups apply for funding Action 3 and RAPID Programme “Revitalising Areas through Planning Investment and Development “  Urban Local Authority estates  Willow Park, Ashdale Woodland Grove, Sarsfield Square, Blackberry Lane and Battery Heights  Grange, Dalton Park, Ennell, Raithin and Michaels Park  Provide all the admin support, including minutes, writing up work plans, progress reports, organising relevant network meetings.  Provide support to the groups as and when required  Help groups apply for funding Action 4 Enhancing Collaboration  Work with statutory, community voluntary agencies in the county to support our community groups to get their voice heard, ie WCC, HSE, Youth services etc  Attend relevant meetings as and when required  Support the work of the PPN and help reps learn what it is all about  Facilitate the Community Development Youth Working group /Disability Working Group  Traveller Advisory Group Action 5 Social Enterprise

 Provide support /advice to assist with the sustainability of existing social enterprises  We have a small grant scheme that can help groups in various ways  Feasibility study for a business idea/ Equipment  2 groups got funded last year, plus 5 through Dept of Justice funding  Help the Community Services Project Network by consulting with them and helping get any issues addressed.  New funding launched by Minister Heather Humphries to help these enterprises. Contacts:  Linda-Jo Quinn- Coordinator  Hubert Rooney- Development Officer  Anne Campbell- Development Officer  Sharon Timothy- Development Officer

 Admin support- Ray, Brendan and Olivia

o87 250 0161 [email protected]