POBAL

Background

The Men's Community Initiative was established in June 2011 and is based at Áras Inis Gluaire. Funded by Pobal, the initiative aims to address the problem of rural isolation particularly amongst older men. The initiative is being coordinated by Lorraine Wilson at Áras Inis Gluaire.

Aims

• To develop a programme of activities for men over 55.
• To cover a broad range of interests including health awareness, exercise, days out, learning new skills, social gatherings, developing new interests and involvement in the arts programming at Áras Inis Gluaire.
• To utilise the facilities available at Áras Inis Gluaire where possible, including meeting & training rooms and workshop spaces.
• To liaise with other local and national community groups and organisations to assist with the development of this programme.

Progress

• The Irish Heart Foundation: ' A Man's Guide to Heart Health'. Heart month, September 2011.
• The Marie Keating Foundation: 'Get Men Talking' Campaign, June 2012.
• Age Action Ireland.
• The Community Foundation of Ireland.
• Erris Community Health Forum.
• Erris Men's Shed.
• Erris Community Radio Station.
• HOPE: Healthy Options Project Erris.
• Local GP.
• Belmullet Sports Complex.
• Broadhaven Bay Hotel, leisure centre and swimming pool.
• Existing meals on wheels and day centre providers for the elderly in Erris: Cairde Le Cheile on Kiltane and Seirbhisicuram in Kilcommon.
• Rural Transport Programme

Programme delivered June 2011 - June 2012 

Integration of the Men's Community Initiative with the Arts Programme at Áras Inis Gluaire: Bealtaine Festival 'Celebrating Creativity as we age':

• Basket Making Workshop with Ciaran Hogan.
• Creative Writing Workshops with Geraldine Cummins.
• Art exhibition ' Celebrating art and older people in May': a collection of works by older people in care settings in Mayo.
• Screening of the 'Hands' documentaries with guest speakers David and Sally Shaw-Smith who filmed & produced these short films on traditional crafts of Ireland. 
• Visit to Áras Inis Gluaire from residents of the two local nursing homes in Belmullet to participate in the Bealtaine festival.
• Afternoon of folklore and story telling by Eddie Lenihan at Ti Aire nursing home.
• Visit to Áras Inis Gluaire from St Augustine's care centre, Ballina, by group of artists whose work was displayed here.

Series of events and activities:

• Trip to Erris Agricultural Show
• Beginner's & Intermediate Computer classes.
• Weekly 'Swim & Gym' sessions.
• Men's Heart Health Awareness Day.
• Christmas lunch.
• Development of an indoor bowls team.
• Trip to the Ballinrobe Races.
• Men's Cancer Awareness Day.
• Basket making workshops and film screeningsas part of Bealtaine Festival at Áras Inis Gluaire: 'Celebrating Creativity as we age'.

Upcoming Activities

• Two day trip to Wexfod for the National Ploughing Championships.
• Further computer classes for beginners.
• Further development of indoor bowls team with outreach to surrounding parishes.
• Participation in the 'Men on the Move' programme in association with Mayo Sports Partnership and the HSE.
• Development of a 'Care & Repair' service with Age Action Ireland.
• Establishment of a 'befriending' service for older people.

Further Information

www.arasinisgluaire.ie                  www.errisevents.com