The Rural Social Scheme

1. The Rural Social Scheme In South West Mayo john corless

4. South West Mayo • Mayo – a big county. • South West Mayo area... • ... almost half the area of the county, • ....and covers almost half the population.

5. Newport 1 Supervisor Castlebar 3 Supervisors Westport Mayo Abbey Louisburgh 2 Supervisors Claremorris2 Supervisors Ballinrobe 2 Supervisors Ballindine

6. Structure • RSS Commenced in September 2004 • By October 2008 – 10 Schemes 191 Participants • Co-Ordinator, 10 Supervisors Part-time Administrator

7. RSS Sub Committee • Reports to the board of SWMDC, • ...provides guidance and strategic direction • ...for programme implementation. • Membership includes: • IFA, Teagasc, Statutory and Community Representatives.

8. Some Figures • We serve 133 Community groups • With 191 Participants - 136 Male - 55 Female

9. Social Care and care for the elderly, Community Care for both pre-school and after school groups. • Serving 23 Communities • 30 Participants - 28 Female - 2 Male

10. Location • Currently operates measures in all areas. • Meals delivery service operates in four areas– Louisburgh, Mayo Abbey, Castlebar, Ballindine.

11. Numbers • 1 in 20 elderly underweight. • As they get older figure rises. • Community meals delivered to 7% of elderly population in USA • Australia – 5% • Ireland and UK – 2% • 14.2% over 65 in Connaught. • National average 11%

12. No Legislative Framework • Left to Community and Social groups to deliver. • HSE very supportive. • RSS a vital ingredient.

13. More Numbers • Delivering: • 85 meals per week from Louisburgh. • 80 meals a week from Mayo Abbey. • 120 meals a week from Ballindine. • 400 meals a week from Castlebar.

14. Achievements • Hot, nutritious meals three days a week to 200 service users. • Meals at childcare facilities. • Production of organic vegetables. • Communication/Contact. • Excellent relationships with stakeholders. • Developed best practice. • Developed successful template.

15. Achievements • Hot, nutritious meals three days a week to 200 service users. • Meals at childcare facilities. • Production of organic vegetables. • Communication/Contact. • Excellent relationships with stakeholders. • Developed best practice. • Developed successful template.

16. Lessons Learned • Start small. • Listen. • Communities must take charge. • High standards – exceed EHO requirements. • Start working and keep working with HSE and EHO.

17. Challenges • Personnel. • Training. • Working with stakeholders. • Funding needs – who gets what from where. • Keeping families and communities involved. • High community expectations of RSS

18. Solutions • Identifying and utilising RSS Participant talents. • Utilising volunteers. • Pro active supervision. • Developing relationships with stakeholders. • Regular reminders of role / boundaries of RSS.

19. Future Plans • Maintain existing service levels. • Identify needs of communities. • Identify needs of participants. • Identify skill set of participants. • Work with communities to meet their needs by delivering high standard of service.

20. Some Images • ...from South West Mayo

21. Brigid McGurrin in the kitchen at Mayo Abbey

22. Teresa Derrig and Carmel Prendergast obviously enjoy chopping parsnips

23. Eileen Hurst prepares vegetables at Mayo Abbey.

24. Padraic Chalke gets the Mayo Abbey delivery van ready.

25. Satisfied customers.

26. and more satisfied customers.

27. And another satisfied customer (with keen spectators.)

28. Warmer Homes • The Warmer Homes Scheme is another service provided by SWMDC.

29. Base & People • Warmer Homes operates out of Claremorris at ClarICH offices. • 4 Participants Involved. 2 Installers 2 Admin.

30. Service Provided • Attic Insulation, • Draught Proofing of houses, • Lagging Jackets, • Energy Saving Bulbs, • Energy Saving Advice.

31. Promotion • Advertising campaign. • Local papers, • Parish Newsletters, • Local Radio, • Posters, • Word of mouth.

32. Clients • Elderly, • Low Income Families, • All South West Mayo Area. • Apply for service. • Sometimes referred by HSE. • Application processed.

33. Numbers • Commenced in September 2006 • 250 houses insulated to date. • Typical saving of 30% on heating bill, - 25% on water heating bill, - 80% on lighting bill. • Plus the environmental impact.

34. Challenges • Recruiting Personnel- have to be able to do the work and work with elderly. It isn’t for everyone. • Training. • Surveying houses / Prioritising Clients. • Working with clients. • Reassuring clients as to nature of work. • Health & Safety.

35. Solutions • Training. • Draw up criteria for prioritising clients. • Work closely with SEI and ESB. • Regular visits to clients by supervisor. • Ongoing review of operations.

36. Future Plans • Continue to provide a high standard of service. • Become involved in Care & Repair Programme. • Looking for new opportunities in energy saving areas.

37. Some Images • ...from Warmer Homes

38. RSS Participants getting ready to insulate an attic.

39. Work in progress

40. Insulation in place.

41. Government Intervention • History of Important and successful initiatives. • Free Education Introduced by Donagh O’Malley TD in 1966 – came in in 1969 • Along with school bus service and RTCs provided access to education for all..

42. Other Initiatives • Children’s Allowance 1 Aug 1944. • Half a Crown for third and subsequent children. • Introduced by SeánLemass TD. Minister for Supplies, Industry and Commerce. • Went on to replace EamonnDeValera as Taoiseach.

43. Significance of RSS • Time will be the judge. • RSS has potential to equal the Free Education and Children’s Allowance Interventions. • Legacy of Minister Ó Cuív • Who knows... • ... may even achieve high office of Lemass and his Grandfather.

44. Conclusion • RSS working well in South West Mayo. • They say you can judge a community by how it treats its elders. • In South West Mayo we keep them warm, cut their fuel bills and give them hot nutritious dinners.

45. Questions

46. Go RaibhMíleMhaithAgaibh Go Léir