This week’s Raphoe Community Notes are out.
Raphoe Family Resource Centre
Raphoe Family Resource Centre provides computer and internet access, photocopying, CV
preparation and weekly employment lists via email. If you need any help on these areas,
please call in to us or give us a call. If you are interested in any of our following courses or
programmes or would like to join in on any of our groups, please call in to see us or contact
us on 0749145796 / 0873641503.
Women’s Group
Our lovely Women’s Group will meet again on Monday 6 th November 2023 at 8pm. The
group meets on a fortnightly basis and new faces are always welcome. For further information
contact Laura on (074)9145796.
Little Smiles with Big Dreams Mother & Toddler Group
Raphoe Family Resource Centre’s Little Smiles with Big Dreams Toddler Group meet every
Wednesday from 10.30am to 12 noon. A great way to increase your little one’s confidence
and get to know others of similar age. Cost €2 per child. The group hosts fun activities and
workshops throughout the year. Everyone is welcome to come along and join the fun!
Breakfast Club
Breakfast club is back in full swing throughout the week from 8.40am to 9.10am. For more
information/ to register please give us a call on 0749145796/0873641503 or contact us on
WhatsApp/Facebook
Helping Hands Scheme
Do you live alone or are no longer in a position, due to age or disability, to carry out odd
jobs? Raphoe Family Resource Centre, supported by DLDC Tus Scheme have a helping
hands project where odd jobs can be carried out such as grass cutting, path clearing, tidy
ups, painting etc. Only outdoor work is permitted. Unfortunately, with the increased costs of
fuel and materials we are no longer able to provide this service free of charge. From Monday
3rd July there will be a €5 euro charge for all work carried out and €15 euro for power
washing. If you require any additional information, please call into the FRC and speak to
Marie or give us a call on 0749145796/0873641503
Raphoe Men’s Shed
The Men’s Shed group meets every Thursday at 12 Noon in “The Shed”. If you have a few
hours to spare why not come along and join in! New members are always welcome for a
cuppa in the shed! For more info contact Marie on 0749145796/0873641503.
Family Support
As a parent or guardian, parenting is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do,
however the Family Resource Centre recognises at times life throws up challenges and
these can be overwhelming. Some examples of the support we can offer; making routines,
establishing boundaries and dealing with challenging behaviours
The Family Resource Centre can help through listening ear, parenting programmes, one to
one support, and a drop-in clinic to offer support on issues that are affecting home life.
We also provide sign posting or referrals to other services. For any further information
please call Laura our family support community development worker on 08733350658
Raphoe Walking Group
Raphoe Walking Group will continue to meet every Thursday morning at 10.30am, here in
the FRC during the summer period. Come along and join the group for a walk and a cuppa!!
Seniors Alert Scheme
Raphoe Family Resource Centre is registered under Pobal’s Senior Alert Scheme to provide
personal alarms to those over 65 years living alone for significant periods of time during the
day, or is a carer to someone else in their household. The purpose of the scheme is to
enable older persons of limited means to continue to live securely in their own homes with
confidence, independence and peace of mind providing them with a free personal monitored
alarm which can be worn as a pendant or around their wrist like a watch. If you feel you or
someone you know would benefit from this scheme, please contact us on (074) 9145796 or
0873641503 for more information or to make an application.
S.T.A.R.T Project
Would you like to talk to someone about your concerns around drugs/alcohol? Free,
confidential – non-judgemental service providing up to date information and practical
supports, including CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness practices, Brief Solution
Focus Therapy and the Smart Recovery Principles. Drop in Group/Individuals every Tuesday
10am-12pm in Raphoe Family Resource Centre. Letterkenny C.D.P is a community
Development Project providing a Community Response to Alcohol/Drug misuse throughout
Co. Donegal. We provide non-judgemental support guidance and education to drug/alcohol
users, their families and the community. Contact our Outreach worker for the Finn Valley
area, Karen Gallen on 087 388 5080
Donegal Volunteer Centre
Looking to volunteer locally, we have a wide range of volunteer roles available! For more
information contact Eamonn on 0871039730/Office 07491 26740
Big Brother Big Sister Programme
Big Brother Big Sister is again calling on adult volunteers to step forward and give just one
hour a week to meet with a young person from age 8-18 for whom life may be a little
challenging. Your support can make a real difference. We are currently looking for both male
and female volunteers in the Letterkenny and surrounding areas. Contact us today, Julie
0860484459 Finghin: 0868213756 or alternatively click the link
here: https://www.foroige.ie/express-your-interest
Age Action – Care & Repair Volunteers needed
Age Action’s Care and repair does small DIY jobs, free of charge, for older people to help
them maintain their homes and independence. We are currently recruiting volunteers for this
role who have skills in small repairs and home improvements, as well as their own basic
tools and transport. Care and repair volunteers can do minor home decorating, tack down
carpets, change light bulbs, move furniture, hang pictures, basic gardening and much more!
We are currently piloting the programme in Donegal and are looking for volunteers in the
following areas: Letterkenny, Stranorlar, Drumkeen and Raphoe, Lifford, Ballybofey and Convoy. If you are interested in this role please contact us on: 014756989, volunteering@ageaction.ie
Raphoe Boxing Club
It was to be a history making weekend for the local boxing club as they had 2 National
Senior Boxing Champions in Dublin. On Friday night the clubs 54KG’s puncher Danny Duffy
turned in a very impressive performance when he out-pointed Cork’s Oisin Worsencroft to lift
the bantamweight crown for 2023. On Saturday his clubmate Cathal Mc Laughlin, who was
having his fourth contest in these championships, outpointed Dublin’s red-hot favourite T.J.
King to be crowned the Senior Middleweight Champion for 2023. Well done lads from your
clubmates and coaches. The Raphoe Club will have 5 boxers entered for the Belfast
Halloween Box Cup that takes place over 3 days at the Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast
from 28 th – 30 th October. The boxers are Taylor Parke, Rian Patton, David Tennyson, Gary
Mc Namara and Ryley Doherty.
Wellness Café
Connect in a safe place with friendly people who put the We in Wellness, Drop into Lifford
Courthouse on Wednesdays between11.00AM and 12.30PM. For more information
telephone 0749141430 Facebook: @donegalwellnesscafes
Rainbows Programme
Rainbows Ireland provides peer group support to children and young people who have been
impacted following bereavement or parental separation or a divorce.
When significant change and loss happens in a family, the entire family can be affected,
including children and young people. Children and young people can generally find it difficult
to understand their feelings and often do not have the words to express how they feel.
Rainbows provides group support for children of a similar age and loss experience. Meeting
others in a similar situation can be very supportive for children and young people.
- Rainbows is not a counselling group or professional therapy.
- It is a free service.
If you would like your son/daughter to attend Rainbows or you would like to know more:
Please contact Sally Mooney or Claire O’Kane Finn Valley Family Resource centre on 074 –
9131245 or email frcrainbows@gmail.com. Rainbows will be starting in September subject
to numbers.
Volt House
There was great excitement this week as we launched The Volt House, Art Calendar 2024.
The Calendar was compiled from paintings and drawings submitted by students from Deele
College and The Royal & Prior School of local historic and tourist sites. At the launch the
students were presented with a Certificate, Centra Gift Voucher, and a copy of the Calendar,
by the Chairperson of Raphoe Community In Action, Mary Harte. The students/artists that
participated were (From the Royal and Prior), Kerry Mc Cready, Tatum Ludick, Jessica
Kuduk, Rianna Kelly, Ruby Speer & Sarah Lindsay , (From the Deele college) Emily
Dobbins, Kinvara Bovaird, Abigail Quigley, & Maro Edore Okeh. Special thanks to the Art
teacher Ms Orla Bradley and Mr Gerard Mc Glinchey. The Calendars are on sale in the
Reception of the Volt House and in shops around the town, Gala, Centra, Raphoe Post
Office, Ciaran’s Butchers, Barclays Newsagents and Mc Carron’s butchers. Calendars are
priced at only €5, and would make a great gift for family and friends here or abroad. (They
come complete with an envelope for posting and contain great Art Work).
Classes
All our classes in the Suile Centre continue with Yoga with Erin (Mondays at 10am, Tuesdays at 7pm)
Tin Whistle with Christy (Mondays at 7pm)
Pilates with Sadie (Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm)
Rinka with Eibhlin (Wednesdays at 5pm & 6pm)
Our Friday senior club continues every Friday from 10.30am – 12.30pm, with new members
always welcome to drop in for a cup of tea, a chat and much more.
We are looking to hear from anyone who would be interested in joining a new Art Class
each Wednesday morning in The Suile Centre, Beginners are very welcome and all levels
will be catered for. Please contact reception on 074 91 73966, or e mail
raphoe.volthouse@gmail.com
We are also looking to hear from anyone who would like to join a new Dance class, ”Two
Hand Dancing” & Line Dancing, to be held on Monday or Thursday mornings. Get it touch
to put your name down and we will be in touch. You may call reception on 084 9173966 or
e mail raphoe.volthouse@gmail.com
Raphoe Tidy Towns News
Raphoe has done well in this year’s National Tidy Towns. Three members travelled to Croke
Park on Friday to the Awards Ceremony. Raphoe received an increase of 12 points and a
bronze medal bringing our town up to a total of 359 points. That makes Raphoe the tidiest
town in its population size category C in Co. Donegal. On behalf of our Chairperson Conor,
committee members Geoffrey, Mary, Rev Mervyn, Willie, David & all our sub groups, myself and all our CE staff & volunteers we want to thank our entire community, churches, schools, play schools sporting groups, the Mart, farming community, resident's groups & residential
areas, Christy o Donnell & John Mc Hugh & staff, our local Co Council & co councillors, Dept of Social Protection, RCIA Volt House & all local community groups & all our businesses for all your support for our town. Congratulations to all other Tidy Towns groups here in Donegal. Thank you.
A number of The Tidy Towns staff are available in their own time at reasonable rates for
Autumn yard & garden clean ups etc. Contact the Tidy Towns Office on 9145692 or email
us on raphoetidy@eircom.net or Tel the supervisor's mobile on 0879473527.
Would you like to volunteer in the local St Vincent de Paul shop in Raphoe? If you would
please contact the Regional Office on 074 9173933.
Historic photos
Have you and old photos of Raphoe people, events, weddings, Christmas, farming harvest
time, dances, school days or indeed any subject ? If you have please consider donating a
copy to the Tidy Towns local history collection Volt House. Your originals will be copied
and returned. These photos will become a part of our very large collection. For further
information contact 9145692 or Volt House on 9173966. Thank You.
