Athlone Family Resource Centre supports the community and voluntary sector across Athlone town and the surround rural areas, and those supporting RAPID* communities.
We work in partnership with residents and other stakeholders to provide them with practical expertise, resources and training they need to engage in sustained social action that makes a positive difference to the local community. We support the community and voluntary sector to take an active role in the creation of local outdoor spaces and housing environments that reflect their community’s unique needs.
We place the needs of the local community and people at the heart of all we do!
*RAPID is an acronym for Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development.
International and National Days of Action and Social Justice Campaigns
Social justice is fairness as it manifests in society. That includes fairness in healthcare, employment, housing, and more. Discrimination and social justice are not compatible. Social justice begins in the home. There is no point going out and urging others in the community to change their words and actions if you have not first looked at your own stomping ground. Athlone Family Resource Centre encourages individuals, families, and the local community to get involved, and keep them informed and educated about social justice issues and human rights. This helps our community to have a global approach and perspective to their world view.
Athlone Family Resource Centre engages in several International and National Days of Actions and Social Justice Campaigns on an annual basis. These include:
International Day of Education – 24th January
World Social Justice Day – 20th February
International Women’s Day – 8th March
World Autism Awareness Day – 2nd April
International Day of the Family – 15th May
World Refugee Day – 20th June
International Day of Friendship – 30th July
World Humanitarian Day – 19th August
International Equal Pay Day – 18th September
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – 17th October
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – 25th November
Human Rights Day – 10th December
Food Cloud
Globally, 33% of food is wasted, resulting in 8% of CO2 emissions, while at the same time, 820 million people worldwide are hungry.
Through the Food Cloud Initiative, we link with local food suppliers to ensure that surplus food does not go to waste. We provide weekly delivers of surplus food to individuals and families within the community who are affected by food poverty and social isolation. It’s a win-win! As a charity we have access to a supply of fresh food and local businesses can contribute to their community in a meaningful way. Our FRC benefits through making savings on our weekly food costs and this allows us to reallocate funding towards the delivery of our core therapeutic and family support services.
If you would like to find out more information on our Food Cloud Initiative, please complete the expression of interest form below and a member of staff will contact you.
Men’s Shed and Community Allotment Programme
A Men's Shed is a dedicated, friendly and welcoming meeting place where men can come together. It's a place where men can share their skills and knowledge with others, learn new skills or redevelop old skills. Good health is based on many factors including feeling good about yourself, being productive and valuable to your community, connecting to friends and maintaining an active body and an active mind. Becoming a member of a Men’s Shed provides a safe and busy environment where you can find many of these things. Those attending the Men’s Shed Programme can develop skills in horticulture within our Community Allotment. Tutors for Longford Westmeath ETB are at hand to teach men about seasonal planting and food growing. Also, importantly, there's no pressure. Men can just come and have a chat and a cuppa if that's all they’re looking for.
If you would like to find out more information on the Men’s Shed and Community Allotment Programme, please complete the expression of interest form and a member of staff will contact you.
Child & Adolescent Mindfulness Programmes
Athlone Family Resource Centre uses research-based relaxation and mindfulness techniques and positive psychology (resilience, compassion, positivity and strength-building) to help support the emotional health and wellbeing of children and teens attending our programmes. Our Mindfulness, meditation and relaxation programme are for children and teens aged 7 – 17 years old. Each mindfulness session has a series of activities specifically designed for children and teens to help them take charge and handle their emotions safely and effectively through a formal and informal mindfulness practice. Mindfulness has been found to help children and teens by:
Improve wellbeing | Increases Self Esteem | Develop greater sense of self | To improve school results | Reduces stress | Increases emotional regulation | Manage anxieties
Adult Learning Services
The Adult Learning Service is ran in collaboration with Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board and Westmeath Community Development Ltd. The service provides tuition for adults who wish to return to learning in a supportive environment. The service is free and confidential. Classes are designed to meet the needs of each learner. Day and evening classes are available.
Programmes Offered include
One-to-one support
Small group tuition in a range of modules and subjects
Skills for Work
Literacy Awareness Training
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
If you would like to find out more information on our Adult Learning Services, please complete the expression of interest form and a member of staff will contact you.
