This week’s Raphoe Community Notes are out.
Raphoe Family Resource Centre CLG.
Raphoe Family Resource Centre provide 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.
Raphoe Family Resource Centre – Christmas Appeal
We are appealing for your kind donations of dry, canned, non-perishable foods, festive treats
or new/newly used toys. Note if you or your family need support please contact Laura on
0749145796/ 0873351503. Donations can be left at the Family Resource Centre Monday –
Friday until the 6 th December 2023.Every little helps and we would be really appreciative of
any donations received.
Christmas party – Save the date
We will host our Christmas party for families on Monday 4 th December. Our elves are
already hard at work behind the scenes getting things ready! More fun details to follow!
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
Other Community News
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 Raphoe Lifford Ballybofey Convoy
If you are interested in this role please contact us on: 014756989 or email 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 & 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 & Raphoe Tidy Towns
We have launched or Go Fund Me Page for The Christmas Lights Appeal 2023. We are
seeking everyone’s help to raise funds for the installation, maintenance, and taking down of
the Christmas lights. Our last appeal in 2021 was very successful and enabled us to pay for
the lights in 2021 & 2022. We now need your help to fund the lights for 2023. All donations
will be greatly accepted and acknowledged, and can be made on our Go Fund me page or at
the reception in the Volt House, The Diamond. Opening hours are Monday – Friday 9am to
4pm. We are planning our ‘light the lights’ (Switch on) for Saturday December 2 nd , everyone
welcome. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.
Our wonderful Volt House Art Calendar 2024 is now on sale throughout the town and at
The Volt House. These calendars will be a wonderful keepsake as the quality of the pictures
painted and drawn by students (Artists), from The Deele College and The Royal & Prior
School is fantastic. They will make a great Christmas gift for Family and Friends locally, and
a special treasure for anyone abroad, (they even come with an envelope for mailing,) and
are priced at only €5.
Congratulations to Raphoe Community In Action, who have been short listed in the
Community Recognition Awards, In the Best Community Organisation/Social Enterprise
(Small) Category. The ceremony will be held on Thursday November 9 th , and we wish them
every success.
Raphoe Tidy Towns Shop Local 2023
With Halloween now past and as we think ahead to Christmas a very special
thank you to all our local businesses & business people here in Raphoe who
have provided services and goods to our community over many years. Over
these years the local businesses have never let us down when it came to
donations or sponsorship for our various community groups and fundraising
activities. We are fortunate in Raphoe to still have excellent goods on sale and
local services in all the various shops, the butchers, licensed premises, the
chemist, the indoor market, cafes, takeaways, street vendors, the credit union,
the post office and plenty of bargains especially this year on the run up to
Christmas so please don’t forget our own town and our own people this year and
in the new year 2024.
Raphoe Tidy Towns/ Raphoe SVP Christmas Family Gift and Toy Appeal
The Appeal is now open and will run up to Friday 15 th December 2023.
Donations of Gifts, Toys, canned food, gift vouchers, or any suitable items
gratefully accepted. Donations may be left into the Volt House Reception or the
Tidy Towns Office before 15 th December 2023. If you wish to leave your name
and address you will receive an official acknowledgement for your kindness.
Further information from Martin on 9145692
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