Welcome to the first edition of the GCCN News & COVID-19 Updates for 2022.
GCCN aims to keep all members updated on the ongoing GCCN work and activities through the means of a report shared with the newsletter. Please read the December 2021 GCCN Report here and the 2021 Q4 Report here.
Implementing the
Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty in Galway City
Video and Resources
On Friday, 17th December 2021 GCCN hosted the seminar Implementing the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty in Galway City.
The event included the launch of the Equality and Rights in Action Galway video showcasing the work of the Galway City Civil Society Panel and the community resource launched by Sinéad Gibney, the Chief Commissioner of IHREC.
Toolkit on the Use of Eu Funds for The Integration of People With a Migrant Background 2021–2027 Programming Period
The European Commission has published a new toolkit (available for download here) in response to the pressing socioeconomic gap between people with a migrant background and mainstream society. The toolkit supports all relevant stakeholders at the European, national, regional and local levels in the design and implementation of integration policies targeted at people with a migrant background, through the coordinated use of EU funds in the 2021–2027 programming period.
This Domestic Violence & Family Homelessness Report, authored by Dr Paula Mayock (Trinity College Dublin) and Fiona Neary (Research Consultant), was launched on December 6, 2021. The report aimed to enhance knowledge and understanding of the relationship between domestic violence and family homelessness in Ireland. It also examines the potential for greater cross-sectoral collaboration in preventing homelessness among families affected by domestic violence.
You can also rewatch the launch on our Youtube channel here.
Get involved:
Research has shown a strong correlation between gender and domestic violence as a cause of homelessness for women. Also, women who experience homelessness are not immune to violence, and arguably are more susceptible to it.
Ending family homelessness and domestic violence requires coordinated action, so it would be hugely appreciated if you could help amplify the findings and recommendations of the report on your social media channels.
You can also support our work by signing our campaign to end child homelessness
Want to get in touch?
If you would like to get in contact, the Research team would love to hear from you with your comments and questions and it can be reached at daniel.hoey@focusireland.ie and haley.curran@focusireland.ie.
Community Activities Fund for Galway City Closing date: Friday 4th February 2022
Galway City Council has been approved funding of €264,910 under a new scheme called the Community Activities Fund which will be administered by Galway City Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) as per before.
This fund is being provided by the Government to support community and voluntary groups impacted by Covid-19. This once-off fund will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas:
With their non-pay running costs, for example, utility bills (electricity costs, refuse charges, heating charges) or other non-pay operating costs for example rental/lease costs, insurance bills.
Groups will also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, purchase equipment, for example, tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment.
The Department has recommended that LCDCs ring-fence some funding to provide small grants of €1,000 or less. Ring-fencing funding at this level will allow a larger volume of those with limited resources to receive some funding. The programme can also fund or partially fund larger scale projects to address disadvantage.
WEBINAR:
A webinar on the Community Activities Fund will be hosted by Galway City Council in partnership with the Galway City Community Network. Details for the same will be finalised and circulated in the coming days.
Please note that the closing date for applications online at www.galwaycity.ie/caf under the Community Activities Fund is Friday, 4th February 2022 at 4.00pm.
Finally to note and acknowledge that the Community Activities Fund is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
LEAP Artist Workshop
Calling creators from underrepresented communities Deadline 30 January 2022
Baboró invites applications for a new, paid 4-day workshop aimed at creators from underrepresented communities who have passion and curiosity for making theatre for young audiences.
The workshop will allow for collaboration with Moonfish Theatre Company—they will share tools and methods for making theatre in the spirit of creative exchange, as you explore and expand your craft and skills in developing theatre for young audiences.
The workshop will take place in April 2022 in Galway. The closing date for applications is Sunday, 30 January at midnight.
Information Session If you would like to know more about this opportunity or the application process, please join us at our online info session on Thursday, 13 January 2022 at 3-4pm on Zoom. You can sign up here to be sent the Zoom link.
Women4Women presents Through my Lens, a series of 6 smartphone photography workshops for women via Zoom.
These workshops will give you an opportunity to develop the skill of using your own smartphone for personal photography to capture some of your experiences during the pandemic restrictions.
The workshops will be facilitated by Ala Buisir— Visual Journalist and Artist (www.alabuisir.com). She will teach you about light, composition, editing and mounting photos taken from your phone. There will be a group exhibit of work in June 2022.
Dates in 2022: 20, 27 January / 3 February / 3, 24, 31 March
Time: 10am-12pm
For more information or to book a place: marilyn.nyquist@sspship.ie / 0872198183
This project is supported by Southside Partnership.
Standing Together Against Direct Provision (STAD) Coalition of Civil Society Organisations
With a plan to launch in January, Standing Together Against Direct provision (STAD) are a coalition of civil society organisations standing together against direct provision.
STAD will speak with one voice to hold the government to account to fulfil the commitments it made to end direct provision by 2024 and replace it with an alternative that is fully compliant with human rights standards and respects the dignity of international protection applicants.
If your organisation is interested in joining STAD, please contact Nick Henderson, CEO of Irish Refugee Council on nick@irishrefugeecouncil.ie by early January.
REMINDER
Creativity in Older Age Scheme 2022 Cut off date: 25th January 2022
Applications are now invited for the Creativity in Older Age 2022 scheme. Applications for funding under the scheme should be in the form of a 2-page proposal outlining the (i) concept detail, (ii) partners, (iii) costs, and (iv) proposed delivery dates.
Proposals in PDF format should be emailed to creativeireland@tcagsm.gov.ie by close of business on Tuesday, January 25th 2022 with ‘Creativity in Older Age Scheme 2022’ as the subject line. All further relevant information is contained in the attached document.
This challenge fund is available to support the roll-out of specific creativity initiatives pursuing positive ageing and mental wellbeing initiatives for older people taking account of public health guidance in the community and for nursing homes/residential care facilities.
Welcome to Work Programme Seetec Employability and Skills
Seetec Employment and Skills are delivering an employability programme for migrants aiming to build community links and help migrants further their job opportunities or be given the chance to learn new skills.
The Welcome to Work programme is a complimentary service delivered on behalf of the Irish Government and European Social Fund.
Through this programme resident migrants that have a Stamp 4 or work permit can benefit by the Seetec staff aiding them to gain new employability skills, receive free support and advice on their career development, training allocation or employment.
The Seetec qualified team of advisors can lead support sessions for interested individuals in the business premises located in Plaza Offices above the Argos on Headford Road in Galway. Due to Covid-19, these support sessions can be delivered remotely also via virtual meetings and telephone calls.
Please see below examples of support sessions that Seetec can offer:
Understanding of Irish culture, language, and history
Networking techniques
CV and cover letter workshops
Digital skills training
English lessons
Application form workshop
Volunteering and work placement information sessions
On-line learning tools and resources
Job-search techniques
Industry specific information session
Identifying transferable skills
Self-employment information session
Effective personal marketing
Aptitude/dexterity tests practice
Practice interviews
Interview techniques
If you have any individuals that are interested in participating in this complimentary programme, please contact Daria Chamot at Daria.Chamot@seetec.ie or on +353 87 136 3941.
EPIC Programme Employment and Training for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
The EPIC Programme works with asylum seekers and refugees to help them find jobs and integrate into Irish society. Business in the Community will host new online training for the EPIC Programme targeting asylum seekers and refugee job-seekers in January. You can see the image above or the link here to learn more and apply by filling out the application form application form and emailing it to epic@bitc.ie . BitC will be in touch in January regarding training on Monday 10th (morning) and Monday 31st (afternoon). You can contact Livia Bartolomé on 086 8391313 or lbartolome@bitc.ie with any questions.
Registration is open to non-profit board members, staff and volunteers of all participating Volunteer Centres and will be on a first come first serve basis.
A maximum of two people from any one non-profit can register per workshop. The training is limited to two workshops per person.
Topics include:
New Options for Funding (non-complex orgs)
Staff Wellbeing
Effective Meetings
New Options for Funding (complex orgs)
Cyber Security 2
Using Zoom
Social Media
Ready and Able (non-complex orgs)
Ready and Able (complex orgs)
Committee Skills
Strategic Planning
Managing Events Online
Board Roles & Responsibilities
Cyber Security 1
Boards, Chairs and Managers: Roles, Relationships & Boundaries
Galway City Council is operating a Christmas Tree recycling service at two locations: the Hunters Depot, Lough Rusheen on the Barna Road and at Merlin Woods Depot in Doughiska.
The last date for disposing of your Christmas Tree will be this Saturday, January 9 from 9am to 3pm.
R.S.V.P. is the new Government campaign that aims to empower people to assess the risk involved in different activities by providing practical information and guidance. R.S.V.P. encourages people to be risk aware, to think before they meet up with others, and to ask themselves the right questions about Risk, Symptoms, Venue and People.
Questions such as:
Risk. What’s the risk? Am I vaccinated? Have I received my booster?
Symptoms. Am I currently showing symptoms of COVID-19?
Venue. Are they following the guidelines? Will I be wearing a mask?
People. How many people am I meeting? How many households are coming together?
For further suggestions on the questions you might ask yourself and others before meeting up, please see the attached leaflets below:
The Galway City Community Call Helpline New Flyer GraphicsThe helpline is open to anyone who needs it, seven days a week.
If you need support or help to get access to shopping, food, medication or if you feel isolated or lonely and need someone to talk to, please get in touch at:
1800 400 150 covidsupport@galwaycity.ie
Please find below the new graphics for the Community Call for Galway City, for your information and onwards circulation and promotion:
The Keep Well campaign provides guidelines, information, and tips on how we can add healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines around five simple actions: keeping active, keeping in contact, switching off and getting creative, eating well and minding your mood
As part of the ongoing work of the Galway City Community Response Forum, Galway City Community Network and Galway City Council have developed a map of the COVID-19 related responses, activities and services available to people in Galway City.
The map is publicly available and can be used as a useful information resource both for individuals made vulnerable by COVID-19 and by organisations or agencies that need to know where they may refer their clients to for support.
