MEITHEAL MHÍOBHAIGH CTR
MEVAGH FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2016
VISION/ MISSION STATEMENT
The Vision Statement of Meitheal Mhíobhaigh CTR
is to have a well-informed, active and
participating community where the family unit is
supported, is safe and secure
Table of Contents Chairperson’s Report
Management Committee and Sub-Committees
Volunteers
Staff
Director and Staff Training
Funding Partners
Working Partners
Lists of courses/groups provided
Initiatives and Services
Advocacy, Campaigning and Policy Work
Mevagh FRC Statistics for 2016
Funding and Governance
Director’s and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2016
Office Hours / Telephone Contact
The report is based on the SPEAK
(Strategic Planning Evaluation and Knowledge - Networking) electronic returns system
which is submitted to the Child & Family Agency (C&FA) annually.
A three year strategic plan of work as well as a yearly Action Plan is
submitted to the C&FA and the SPEAK system fulfils the planning and
reporting requirements.
Chairperson’s Report / Tuairisc an Chathaoirligh
Welcome/Fáilte
2016 has been another year of growth especially in family support. The winds were not always favourable, but we met the challenges of a changing environment with commitment and determination.
Just to give a brief overview of the numbers using the centre last year, eight thousand two hundred and ninety people used services or sought information. Eight hundred individuals used the computer suite and over five hundreds adults and children used the Library.
Several programs were delivered to support parents locally, and on an outreach basis to Milford and Rosnakill. We have continued to focus on key methods of family support by training and providing parenting courses. We are part of the Donegal FRC Network presenting our work to TUSLA staff and engaging in the TUSLA Market Position Statement Plans. Our work is supported by brochures, our Website and through Facebook. As well as our ongoing engagement with members of the local community we represented the voice of the nine Family Resource Centres in Donegal at various seminars, conferences, and other relevant events.
In December, we were delighted to receive a grant From the Child & Family Agency to upgrade our Computer systems and network. The additional equipment offers greater opportunities for people to work locally. This in turn brings much needed revenue along with the support of the business community. The introduction of Fibre Broadband enabled us facilitate three families to work from home in the past year.
I have been privileged to be Chairperson of the Centre for the past three years overseeing the completion of the Strategic Work Plan which determines our work for the three year period 2016-2019. Despite the continuing lack of resources we stayed focused and concentred on delivery of our Action Plan in 2016 which is part of the 3 year Strategic Plan. The continuous engagement with organisations and agencies is a key feature of our work in supporting the delivery of programmes relevant to families and the community. We are very grateful for goodwill and support given by the various agencies.
The promotional highlight of the year was our celebrations to acknowledge 15 years as a Family Resource Centre. We celebrated with an Open Day culminating with the visit of Tony Mc Daid, Raphoe FRC who walked over 200 miles between the 9 Family Resource Centres. We entertained the children from Scoil Naomh Bríd and the Senior Citizens from Mevagh Day Centre. It was a very special day reminiscing with old friends and remembering all who supported us in the early years, some no longer with us.
I, on behalf of the Mevagh Family Resource Centre Board of Management wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Child & Family Agency, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Muintearas, Co. Donegal ETB, SOLAS, HSE, Donegal Co. Council and all the agencies who have funded or supported activities in the centre. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Breda Lymer, West Training & Development Ltd, for her invaluable support over the year. I would like to acknowledge the work and dedication of our Management Committee, sub-groups, and staff.
During 2016 the Centre work was co-ordinated by Marrietta Herraghty, Grainne Sheils and Catherine Nic Laifeartaigh providing administrative support. Margaret Mc Keague and Pauline Collins, Development Workers provided family support. Alastair Mc Ilwaine replaced Shane Mc Loughlin on a TÚS scheme. Una McHugh came in under the Mevagh CE Scheme. Ann Mc Groddy’s Tús scheme came to an end during the year and Grainne Griffin is in her second year on Údarás na Gaeltachta, Scéim Fhánada. Sincere thanks to all of them for contributing to the work of the Centre.
Last, but by no means least to all the individuals, tutors, Community Groups and businesses who supported us during the year, without your support we could not maintain services, provide training and programmes. Sincere thanks to Tommy Clyde, Treasa Ui Ghallachóir, FÁS Supervisors and Áine Uí Rabhartaigh, TÚS supervisor for their help and assistance, also Sara Devenney, ParentStop.
We appreciate the help of the community in our fundraising activities last year, especially the Bric a Brac stall. Our current core funding covers salaries and insurance, fundraising and office rental covers all other utility
bills. At last year’s AGM we mentioned change to our contractual agreements with our core funder the Child & Family Agency. Since then we have had no confirmation as to whether we will have a Service Level Agreement or a Contract. Regarding our funding nothing has changed in the past year. We depend on funding applications and fundraising to provide all our programmes and services.
Lack of sufficient funding is one of the greatest challenges facing the project going forward also increasing demands of service provision by TUSLA without the necessary resources. Changes to the staff team with the recruitment of a new Coordinator will also take time and create change.
Each year at the Annual General Meeting, as part of our Memorandum and Articles of Association, one third of the directors stand down. This year Catriona Friel, Marion Buchanan, Maureen Vaughan and Leslie Newberry are standing down from officer positons. Marion Buchanan, Maureen Vaughan, and Leslie Newberry are willing to be re-elected. All gave generously of their time and were committed to the work of the centre for which we are very grateful.
In this short overview I have summarised the key activities of 2016, they are described in more detail in the Secretary’s report.
In conclusion, as we approach a new era I wish our incoming Chairperson the best of luck. I am confident that she will have the support of the directors, staff and the community enabling the centre to prosper providing ongoing services and support.
Catriona Friel Chairperson
Voluntary Board of Management 2016:
Catriona Friel: Chairperson
Mary Grace Cullen: Vice Chairperson
Maureen Vaughan: Treasurer
Marion Buchanan: Assistant Treasurer
Eva Byrne Company Secretary
Leslie Newberry: PRO.
Committee members: Derek Little, Cormac Walsh, Diego Mc Clafferty
Sub-Committees
Finance Sub-group: Maureen Vaughan, Marion Buchanan, Marrietta Herraghty, Grainne Sheils.
Fundraising Sub-Committee: Cormac Walsh, Leslie Newberry, Diego mc Clafferty, Eve Byrne, Margaret Mc Keague.
Regional Forum Sub-Group: Mary Grace Cullen, Marrietta Herraghty.
Recruitment Committee: Catriona Friel, Cormac Walsh, Marrietta Herraghty.
Staff Liaison Sub Group: Diego Mc Clafferty, Eve Byrne, Catriona Friel.
Garda Vetting Sub-Group: Mary Grace Cullen, Derek Little, Marrietta Herraghty.
Volunteer Workers
Staff
Project Co-ordinator: Marrietta Herraghty
Administrator: Grainne Sheils
Assistant Administrator: Catherine Nic Laifeartaigh
Development Workers - Split Post: Margaret Mc Keague, Pauline Collins
TÚS Workers: Ann Mc Groddy, Alastair Mc Ilwaine
Mevagh CE: Una Mc Hugh
Údarás na Gaeltachta, Fanaid CE: Grainne Griffin
Male 15
Female 20
Total 35
MFRC MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2016/2017
(Missing from photograph Cormac Walsh)
Directors and Staff Training
Child Protection Awareness Training
Roles & Responsibilities of Directors
FSA Contractual and Company Law Obligations
Staff Support
Garda Vetting Training
Parent Plus Training – Adolescence & Working Things Out
Mental Health Training
Review Workshops
Funding Partners
TUSLA Child and Family Agency
Údarás Na Gaeltachta
Muintearas
Donegal County Council - Agenda 21
Donegal ETB Education and Training
HSE
Go For Life - Age & Opportunity
Donegal Local Development Company
Katherine Howard Foundation
Working Partners
SOLAS Family Support Services Unit Dept. AHG Dept. SP Dept. JE Dept. ES CFA RSA HSE Primary Care Team Community Care Local Authority Gardaí HSE other CIS MABS LCDP Donegal ETB Volunteer Ireland Trades Unions Nat/Regional Networks County Childcare Committee Local Organisations Schools Local Youth Services Children and Young People's Services Committees Sports Organisations RAC - Domestic Violence Other FRC’s Foundations or Trusts
Courses
Parent Plus Art Class Basic Computer Class Social Media CPR Training Therapy workshops for Parents Baby Massage Pilates Yoga Literacy Support
Groups
Busy Bees Mother & Toddler Group Breast Feeding Support Group
Junior Youth Club Speech & Drama
Mevagh Youth Club Mevagh Carers Group Mevagh Men’s Group
Mevagh Craft Group Mná Mhíobhaigh / Mevagh Women Together
Sheephaven Men's Shed Mevagh Community Gardening
Book Club
Initiatives and Services Family Fun Days Summer Camps Story Telling Tiny Tunes Beach Scavenging Donegal Water Safety Week Big Fish Little Fish Gaisce Awards Adult Learner Week Intergenerational Project Drug &Alcohol Training Mulroy College Loreto Community School Letterkenny Employment Service Job Club Social Prescribing Suicide Prevention Taobh Tire Library Service Bealtaine Festival Wainfest Fáilte Ireland Information Service Administrative Support to local businesses
Advocacy, Campaigning and Policy Work Domestic Violence Children First Donegal CFA Forum Mulroy Community Health Forum Milford Fanad Ros Goill Primary Care Team Moving Mevagh Forward Carrigart Tidy Towns Downings Tidy Towns Local Community Groups Local Sports Clubs Mental Health Suicide Prevention Workshop School Completion Programme (Mulroy & Errigal Colleges)
MEVAGH FRC STATISTICS FOR 2016
Funding and Governance
The Mevagh Family Resource Centre is funded by the Child & Family Support Agency under TUSLA. The centre management and staff are supported by West Training & Development Ltd. The company was managed last year by 9 members of the community as a Voluntary Board of Management. Eleven meetings of the Board of Management took place since the last AGM. In 2015, the staff and management agreed a three year Strategic Work Plan which was submitted for funding to the Child & Family Agency. Derived from the Strategic Plan an Action Plan for 2016 was drawn up and completed. Our work plan underpins the five national outcomes outlined in The Better Outcomes Brighter Futures Policy Framework for Children & Families (2014-2020).
Director’s Reports and Financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2016
The Board of Directors of the Mevagh Resource Centre presents their Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2016.
Copies of Accounts for 2016 have been circulated.
In the past year we have received funding from the Child & Family Agency, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Muintearas, HSE, Dept. of Social Protection, Donegal County Council and Donegal Educational Training Board (ETB).
Sincere thanks to Paul Carr and Susan O’ Boyle from S. Mc Rory & Company who have audited our accounts.
Finally, I would like to thank on behalf of the finance sub–committee, Marion Buchanan, Marietta Herraghty, and Gráinne Sheils.
Motion to approve Auditor for the coming year – 2017.
Maureen Vaughan Treasurer
Mevagh Family Resource Centre
Ionad Acmhainne Teaghlaigh Mhíobhaigh
Áras Ros Goill
Downings
Letterkenny
Co. Donegal
Office Hours
Monday to Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Closed for lunch: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Contact
Tel: 074 9155055
Fax: 074 9155055
Company: Meitheal Mhíobhaigh CTR
Company No. 31357
Charity No. 13979
www.mevaghfrc.org
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