Services
How We Serve The Community
We at New Ballagh are passionate about serving our community. We looked for ways to serve and discovered that there were a lot of people in our community that were basically lonely. Due to the evolution of life, changes in society, people’s life changes, friends and family move away, health making it difficult to get out and as a result, loneliness can set in. We recognised these changes and in 2008, we created RISE – Rossinver Integrated Social Enterprise to combat loneliness among the older people of our community. Rossinver Calling was set up with this aim in mind.
Rossinver Calling
This is a free call service that is available to the older and vulnerable people of North Leitrim, North Sligo and West Cavan. We call for a chat at a pre agreed time, chatting about whatever our client wants to talk about. Our call has many benefits, it is also a wellness check, it can provide our client with local information of interest to them, it can act as a reminder for appointments, it can give reassurance to family members that no longer live close by and if we have any concerns about their health or wellbeing, we can contact their designated contact to make sure that the client is ok.
Befriending Service
To go hand in hand with Rossinver Calling, we operate a Befriending service. This is when we pair a client with a volunteer that has similar interests and see if they get on. If they do, we would set up regular visits. This is most beneficial to people who have little or no social interaction. (Please note that due to Covid, Befriending was suspended but we are getting the service reinstated).
Active Age Group
Along with Rossinver Calling and the Befriending service, we host an Active Age group in the centre, ‘The Thursday Club’ every Thursday. This is a social club for people over 55 (though the age restrictions aren’t that strict!) and a host of different activities.
Whether you want to learn and explore new skills such as Tai Chi, art and crafts and creative writing or just simply have a cup of tea and a chat, this is the club for you!
If Rossinver is a bit far for you to get too, we oversee Active Age groups in Kinlough, Kiltyclogher, Glencar and Glenfarne. Contact our Outreach Officer for more information at 071 985-4030 or outreach@rcdc.ie.
Adult Education
Another way we serve the community is to host the Back to Education Initiative in partnership with Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim ETB. These Fetac accredited courses are aimed at people looking to upskill. 2023 is the year we have expanded the choice of Community Education Classes. From the practical like Irish for parents, sewing, basic car maintenance to the hobby-creating like bridge, fly fishing, Christmas wreath making to the classics like Art, keyboard and genealogy, we have something to interest all.
