PPN celebrates tenth anniversary with special event in Leighlinbridge
Catherine Delaney and Rita Kelly from Carlow Mental Health and Monica O’Connor La Leche League at the event
CARLOW Public Participation Network (PPN) held its tenth anniversary celebrations and second Community Networking Plenary event of 2024 last week in the Lord Bagenal Hotel.
The event focused on sharing the achievements of the PPN in Carlow over the last ten years and the richness of the Carlow community. The celebratory event was wonderfully attended by people from the around the county, who engaged with exhibitors on topics of interest to them.
“For this event, Carlow PPN focused on the theme of ‘Wellbeing in your community’, which explored the wellbeing of Carlow communities through the lens of the Carlow Community Wellbeing Vision, with member groups having the opportunity to connect with one another from around the county, and to share experiences and ideas,” said Patricia Duffe, Carlow PPN co-ordinator.
Eoin Sullivan, heritage officer with Carlow County Council, presented on a new project about holy wells in Carlow, and Kieran Cullinane from Carlow County Council spoke about the ambitious Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) scheme for Carlow, and distributed surveys for feedback on the scheme.
The secretariat of Carlow PPN invited PPN community groups and representatives to participate in a panel discussion to share their experiences, achievements, challenges and successes.
The panel discussion comprised of Johnathan from the Carlow First Responders, who gave an insight into the work of the First Responders in Carlow, who are all local volunteers.
Johnathan explained how the responders are dispatched by the emergency services to provide immediate medical assistance in emergency situations, particularly in rural or remote areas of Carlow, where it might take time for an ambulance or the emergency services to arrive.
Amanda Shasha of Steadfast Creations gave a heartfelt introduction and talked about how the group came to be formed in a response to grief. It focuses on inspiring positive change in the community – making a difference by reducing textile waste and fostering a more sustainable future, one creative project at a time.
Rita Kelly from Carlow Mental Health Association spoke about the organisation's ongoing work in promoting mental health awareness and supporting community wellbeing. CMHA focuses on raising awareness about mental health issues, reducing stigma and encouraging people to care for their mental health.
Mary Meaney of Leighlinbridge Improvement Group gave a rundown of all the success and Tidy Towns awards in recognition of their work in Leighlinbridge over a long number of years. Mary also talked about the new Tyndall monument in honour of John Tyndall, and the group’s collaborative work with the local GAA club on creating a Pollinator Plan for the village.
Their work showcases how a small community can make a big impact through collective efforts in environmental sustainability, heritage preservation and community spirit.
Lynda Stacey of Bagenalstown Family Resource Centre talked about the centre as a community-focused organisation that provides a wide range of services and supports to individuals, families and the wider community.
The main goal of the centre is to support families in building stronger relationships and coping with challenges they may face; and how the centre plays a vital role in promoting wellbeing, inclusivity, and resilience by offering accessible and diverse services to all.
Michael Quirke talked about the importance of governance for community groups. As a final ten-year celebration of the PPN, members of the Africa Support Group and the AHA Storytellers lit up the night with traditional music and song, coming together to deliver a memorable and heartwarming performance.
Dressed in vibrant vestments, the group engaged the audience with a lively singsong, accompanied by rhythmic drumming and guitar melodies.
The traditional instruments and the group's dynamic energy brought the event to life, showcasing the power of music in fostering unity and cultural understanding.
This collaboration highlighted the ongoing efforts of the PPN and its members to promote inclusion, diversity and intercultural exchange within the Carlow community.
The PPN is taking names from groups which wish to partake in the next Introduction to Governance training session on Wednesday 6 November in the Lord Bagenal, Leighlinbridge from 6pm to 9pm.
The next expo will take place in 2025 – if a group would like to participate by attending, email carlowppn@carlowcoco.ie or call 087 1951444 For further information on Carlow PPN and funding opportunities, see www.carlow.ppn for more information and to find out about how to join. Alternatively, call PPN co-ordinator Patricia Duffe on 087 1951444 or 059 9172495, email carlowppn@carlowcoco.ie.
