INISHOWEN DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP INVITES MEN TO JOIN NEW COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
Are you a man from the Inishowen area? Do you have time on your hands? Would you like to get involved in a new community initiative aimed at sharing stories, skills and knowledge and exploring opportunities to help improve your current situation? Do you have an idea that you think might be worth discussing with other men in the same situation in your area?
If you can answer ‘yes’ to some of these questions then a new initiative proposed by the Inishowen Development Partnership may be of interest to you.
Inishowen Development Partnership is inviting men of all ages from the Inishowen area to come along to a meeting at their office in Pound Street on Wednesday Feb 22nd at 7:30pm to discuss the setting up of a new initiative aimed at men who would be interested in taking part in activities such as woodwork, metalwork, storytelling and other hobbies or pastimes.
A number of men from the Killybegs have already set up a ‘shed’ in their area. This group decided to focus on boatbuilding as it was a trade of the locality. They have also said they would be happy to meet with local men to tell them how they got going with their ‘shed’.
As part of the initiative, special guest John Evoy, national co-ordinator of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, will be giving a free talk on the success of Men’s Sheds (in Ireland) which has helped hundreds of men throughout the country and many more wider afield to connect with their local community.
Philip Doherty from Carndonagh a member of the group said:
“Over the last couple of years following the collapse of the construction sector, a lot of men in Inishowen found themselves, almost overnight, out of work with little to do. The idea behind this project is to try to get men involved in something worthwhile again. The shape and form it takes will be completely driven by the group of local men who get involved, with the support of Inishowen Development Partnership and other local groups.
“The ‘shed’ initiative can involve activities that suit the men involved, everything from carpentry to bee-keeping, car maintenance and gardening. This meeting is open to everyone and it is a good opportunity to meet and learn more about what we in the community can do”.
Andrew Ward from the Inishowen Development Partnership said:
“It is important to stress from the outset that these will be very informal discussions aimed at providing an opportunity for men in the area to hear about this initiative and others. It is an opportunity for them to tell us what they think would be of most benefit to them.
“Through the provision of various activities, aimed at promoting a sense of belonging and community spirit, the initiative hopes to achieve positive outcomes and well-being for those men who are interested in attending.
“We hope this new initiative will help bring together young and older men, to share their stories, skills and knowledge and make a positive contribution to the local community.
“I would encourage as many men as possible in the Inishowen area to attend this important meeting. We will be providing tea and coffee and it is a good opportunity to catch up with other men to have a chat and to see if we can better the current situation in Inishowen for us all”.
