President praises Ballincollig centre

THE President has launched an exciting new chapter in the history of an organisation which helps and supports families in one of Cork’s biggest towns.

President Mary McAleese praised all those involved in the Family Adult Children Teenagers (FACT) Ballincollig Family Resource Centre as she performed the official opening of its new premises at the weekend.

The centre, set up almost a decade ago to provide supports to families, especially those experiencing disadvantage, has been based mainly in a premises in the town’s Castlepark Estate.

As its services expanded, it was based at other locations in the town, and delivered some services from some of its volunteers’ cars, its chairperson Cathie O’Neill said.

“Our services were scattered to the four winds,” she said.

But now it has secured some 5,000 sq ft in the town’s village shopping centre off Station Road, right in the heart of the town.

It allows for the centralisation of all of its services and staff for the first time.

It will, however, continue to operate outreach services and “adult basic education services” in Castlepark.

“Finally the work of FACT can be undertaken in this beautifully adapted building that is centrally located and accessible to everyone in the community,” Ms O’Neill said.

“At last all services are provided under the one roof, which allows FACT room to grow and provides a space for the networking and collaborative work that is needed to build a strong cohesive community.”

The centre is actively involved in the provision of a wide range of community services including:

* the Little Dreams Playschool, which caters for 50 children;

* a parent and toddler group, which runs on Wednesdays,

* an education support project which helps families with homework;

* a drugs and alcohol awareness initiative;

* a support group for parents of children experiencing difficulties with drugs and alcohol;

* a range of adult and community education programmes in textiles, computers, art and crochet.

Meanwhile, the Health Service Executive has bought the former Teagasc building in Dunmanway to house the town’s family resource centre, which is currently operating out of rented accommodation.