North Tipp community help group gives thanks

Members of the public in Nenagh town and the surrounding parishes of Puckane/Carrig, Templederry, Silvermines, Borrisokane, Toomevara, Newtown and Kilruane came out in force to support the recent North Tipperary Community Services (NTCS) annual street and church gate collection.

Proceeds from the collection go towards supports for children, parents and older people in the greater Nenagh area.

“Your support is greatly appreciated at a time when there are many causes in the area to support,” Liz O’Sullivan, NTCS Manager, commented. “We are committed to putting your money to good use in support of families in the local community. A special thank you to all who contributed and to our volunteer collectors for giving of their time and energy.”

NTCS works in programmes such as: Parenting support and training courses; Community Development; Community Counselling; Services for Older Persons/Home Help Coordination & holiday; Preschools - Portroe and Templederry; Parent Advocacy Project; Community Mothers Programme - parent and toddler groups in 13 locations in North Tipp.

NTCS Chairman Tom Healy commended the staff and volunteers for their work and commitment to those who avail of the services of the North Tipperary Community Services. “2015 was both a challenging and successful year for the service,” he said. “We are happy and proud of the quality supports that our volunteers and paid staff offered to hundreds of families across North Tipperary and look forward to it continuing to be the case for the rest of 2016.”

Highlights of 2015 were:

· 278 families engaged in parent, toddler and baby groups per week in 13 different locations;

· 437 older persons per week were supported with a home help service in their homes;

· 42 people attended of the annual NTCS holiday for the elderly;

· 185 parents supported in one to one work, parenting courses and educational seminars;

· Over 247 hours of counselling was provided through the Community Counselling Service;

· Community men’s, women’s and youth groups facilitated in personal development, education and training;

· 27 children availed of a pre-school service in Portroe and Templederry communities;

· 28 parents of children in care the supported by the Parents Advocacy Service;

NTCS also worked collaboratively with other agencies in Nenagh and the surrounding areas - such as Túsla, Áras Folláin, Nenagh Community Garden, Tipperary Regional Youth Service, Foróige, Ascend, HSE, NTLP, Tipperary Education and Training Board (formally the VEC), Tipperary County Council, Clúid Housing Association, Barnardos, and many schools, churches and community groups.

The NTCS Thrift Shop was successfully run by a dedicated group of volunteers, providing affordable clothes, furniture and other goods to the public. The Thrift shop offers an environmentally friendly way of reusing items that are in good order at a low cost.

Without the support of the community in Nenagh and the surrounding parishes /communities, and State funds from the HSE and Túsla, NTCS would not be able to offer the level and quality of service that it does and had continued to do over the last four decades.

Should you wish to avail or enquire of any of NTCS services please feel free to drop into reception between 10am and 4pm Monday-Thursday (not including lunch) and 10am - 1pm Friday. It is possible to call reception at Loreto House on: (067) 31800.