Tirhugh Resource Centre

Volunteer Donegal                              

074 912 6740                                     info@volunteerdonegal.ie

Donegal South Forum                       Anne Walsh 

071 985 24 76

Erneside Dyslexia Support Group        Michael Melly  087 042 7317

Donegal Adult Learner Guidance Service                                                     

Lisa or Deirdre  074 972 5522

Ballyshannon  ETB (VEC )                                                                                               071 985 1276

Citizens Advice Information                   

Ballyshannon                       071 985 1666

Donegal Town                       074 972 4460

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Donegal South Forum Limited

Background:

Originally three Fora had been established in the North, South and East of Donegal; this has now been expanded to five Fora for the purpose of the County Development Board by the addition of Inishowen and the Gaeltacht.  These aim to build solidarity within the respective sectors, to facilitate the coming together of various interests and the development and promotion of an integrated strategy to tackle the areas of greatest need.

The Fora are formed from individual community and voluntary groups which collectively aim to give a more powerful voice to the community and voluntary sector, both within Donegal and nationally.  At present Donegal South Forum has over 100 members. East, North and South Community Fora together nominate eight Directors to Donegal Local Development Company Board.  They also have further representation on sub-panels, e.g. Leader. They also nominate four delegates each to the County Development Board representing different sectors.

Since its foundation in 1995 the Donegal South Forum has endeavored to work with and for the Community Organisations and to be a voice for the local development.  Originally the Forum was a loose grouping of community and Voluntary Organisations but has now evolved into a more formal structure, including its set-up as a Limited Company in 2002.

Aims:

1.       To provide initial assistance in the completion of any plans. ( Provide assistance with planning for the future)

2.       To identify the needs in each locality and by working together to respond with an all-embracing approach.

3.       To co-ordinate the efforts of the organisations working for the development of the groups in the area.

4.       To promote, unite and co-ordinate all groups within the community.

5.       To harness the potential/expertise available in the area for the benefit of all.

6.       To give an effective voice to community groups

7.       To exchange information

Objectives:

·         To regroup rural communities

·         To improve the quality of life by influencing service provision

·         To help improve the quality of life for those whom they represent

·         To empower all groups to create a healthy and holistic community

·         To have an overview of community requirements resulting in a co-ordinated action plan at grass roots level

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Ballyshannon and Bundoran Community Health Forum

What is Ballyshannon and Bundoran Community Health Forum?

In 2008 a group of organisations and individuals began meeting to bring together the collective health issues , knowledge and concerns of the communities of Ballyshannon and Bundoran and to present them to the local Primary Care Team.

The Community Health Forum aims to be a network that is inclusive and that promotes a healthy community, using all considerable resources in our community. It is a voluntary group working alongside the Primary are Team and the HSE, but independent of them.

Who is involved?

Any organisation or individual in the area can become involved in the Community Health Forum.  Currently, a ‘core group’ meets approximately every six weeks and there are occasional larger meetings to which everyone locally is invited.

What issues does it work on?

The Community Health Forum adopts a very wide view of what issues have an impact on individual health and, to date, has worked on rural transport provision, information on local services, support to parents of teenage children, community facilities, security concerns of older people and mental health education. The Forum also sends representatives to Primary are Team meetings where a range of primary health care topics are discussed

If you, or your organisation would like to know more, and/or become involved in the Ballyshannon and Bundoran Community Health Forum please contact:

Chris Ovens, Ardfana, Bundoran  or e-mail info@communityhealthforum.net

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 Ballyshannon Regeneration Group
Athbheocán Áth Seannaidh
 

Ballyshannon Regeneration Group is a voluntary community group which was set up in February 2009.

It is the coming together of interested individuals and representatives of different groups to provide a co-ordinated approach in addressing certain aspects of the town in which are in need of improvement or regeneration.

Our aim is to identify and address particular areas of the town that have fallen into disrepair or neglect. Working together, often in a simple and straightforward way, we believe that we CAN make a difference in our local environment. Indeed we have made many improvements in various locations. Importantly we also wish to promote a greater culture, historical and environmental awareness of our area.

Our actions, we believe, will have a knock-on effect in terms of tourism, business and employment, and in turn instill or regenerate sense of pride of place in Ballyshannon.

To date we have organised regular ‘clean ups’ with an emphasis on historical areas: grass cutting, replacement of trees, installation of new flowerbeds and wooden planters.

In these times, the importance of communities pulling together ‘to do your bit’ can not be underestimated.

 If you are interested in joining the Regeneration Group, helping out with our weekly clean-ups, or making a donation please contact Barry Sweeny (Chairperson) 087 964 9654