Barnardos expands services in south

A MAJOR expansion of family support services in the South was announced yesterday as President Mary McAleese opened a regional headquarters for children’s charity Barnardos in Cork.

New services for vulnerable children and their families will be offered within six months in Tramore, Co Waterford, in partnership with Foróige, and in Clonmel, said Seán Redmond, Barnardos assistant director of children’s services.

Plans are also being finalised for a children’s learning and development centre in Knocknaheeny, on Cork’s northside, he said.

“The centre, which is being built in partnership with Cork City Council, will target infants from under one year old, right up to young people on their way to college.

“It will offer services to improve the educational outcomes for children in the area,” he said.

The centre will cost about €2 million and should be complete by late 2006.

President McAleese heard first-hand yesterday how Barnardos has helped Cork families.

Jackie Kelly from Loughmahon, Cork, said the support offered to her and her family had been outstanding.

“They brought laughter back into our house. I don’t think I would have coped without them,” she said.

Rose Sheehan, a single mother, also from Loughmahon, said Barnardos had helped her when her children were going through a rough patch.

President McAleese, who is a patron of Barnardos, said the charity provides a vital service to children and families experiencing difficulty.

“We get one go at childhood. We want our kids to be a monument to what is good. And sometimes we all need help to get through rough patches. That’s where Barnardos comes in,” she said.

The new Barnardos office opened on Cork’s White Street yesterday will serve as a regional headquarters.

“From this centre we will co-ordinate all our services for children and families in the south and south east of Ireland,” Mr Redmond said.

Barnardos operating costs last year were €16m, of which 65% came from State investment.

The rest came from private donations and fundraising.

Mr Redmond thanked the Southern Health Board and Cork City Council for their support.

Among the services offered by Barnardos are Sólás, a bereavement counselling service for children, and the Barnardos National Children’s Resource Centre, which offers free advice to parents and students on anything relating to children.

“We have come a long way in the five years we have been based in Cork, and this new centre shows Barnardos’ commitment to the children and families in this region,” the charity’s chief executive Owen Keenan said.