One Donegal – Social Inclusion Week 2017 will take place this year from 6th to 14 October with a variety of events making up the week.
This annual programme of events aims to highlight the very positive work being done not only by Donegal County Council but also by the other statutory and community organisations operating in Donegal to raise awareness of social inclusion related issues in the county.
This year’s programme was officially launched by Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry McMonagle in the Letterkenny Public Services Centre on Tuesday 3 October at 12.30pm.
Social Inclusion Week also coincides with World Mental Health week and to mark this, Peter Walker HSE spoke about the ‘Connecting for Life Donegal’ conference that is taking place in Ionad Naomh Padraig, Dobhar, on Friday October 6.
The conference is a joint initiative with the HSE and will see a number of guest speakers, including former Donegal Footballer Eamon McGee who will share his own experience with mental health issues.
Following the conference the delegates will be invited to attend the Launch of Lived Lost Lives Exhibition hosted by Donegal County Council Cultural Arts Service in Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair.
Mairead Cranley, Donegal County Council gave a brief description about the Donegal Pride of Place certificate ceremony that will take place in the Letterkenny PSC on Friday October 13 from 11am.
Billy Banda from the Intercultural Platform spoke about the Launch of Donegal Intercultural Training Initiative that will be lead out by Intercultural Platform and Donegal Travellers Project (DTP) on October 9 at 12.30pm in the Letterkenny PSC and the launch of the Traveller Ethnicity Pack and Education Research Project on October 12 at 12.30 in DTP.
Dolores O’Kelly Public Participation Network (PPN) Secretariat explained the three events organised by the PPN – On October 11 – COMMUNITY SAFETY EVENT- from 2pm to 4pm Letterkenny Public Services Centre. On October 12 – COMMUNITY & VOLUNTARY EVENT – from 10am to 1pm Letterkenny Public Services Centre. On October 14 – ENVIRONMENT SHOWCASE – from 11am to 4pm Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny.
Other events taking place during the week include events in the County Museum; Once Upon a Library Time hosted by the Donegal County Council Library Service; Sports Ability Taster – Donegal Sports Partnership; Workshop for the Unemployed ‘Time for Me – DLDC CLG; English Conversation Workshop – Donegal Intercultural Platform; International Rural Women’s Day Celebrations- Donegal Women’s Network.
The Launch was finished off with a performance from Sinead O’Donnell and the Cara House ensemble. This ensemble consisted of Children from several different cultures. They performed Irish and African songs, which was put together during Afterschool classes in Cara House.
Needless to say they received a well deserving standing ovation at the end of their performance.
For more information on what’s happening contact Charles Sweeney, Social Inclusion Co-ordinator on 087 911 2401 or Mairead Cranley Assistant Social Inclusion Co-ordinator, Donegal County Council on 074 95 61326
The Social Inclusion Week Programme is available at your local Council office or local library.
Some of the crowd who attended the launch of Social Inclusion scheme on Tuesday in Letterkenny.3
Seamus Neely Chief Executive, Cllr Gerry McMonagle Cathaoirleach, Sinead O’Donnell and her very talented ensemble who performed at the launch of Social Inclusion week held in Letterkenny .
Pictured at the launch of Social Inclusion week are Back row Left to Right – Charles Sweeney DCC, Paddy Doherty DCC, Maire NÍFhearraigh DCC, Liam Ward DCC, Cllr Michael McBride.
Front Row left to right – Seamus Neely Chief Executive, Cllr Gerry McMonagle Cathaoirleach, Mairead Cranley DCC ,Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry McMonagle along with Members of Donegal Social Inclusion Measurements Group launching the social inclusion brochure.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry McMonagle along with Members of Donegal Social Inclusion Measurements Group launching the social inclusion brochure.
