I would like to introduce the new manager of Ozanam House Geraldine O’Driscoll, who has recently taken over the position of manager at Ozanam House from Tony Rock. Geraldine was born and reared and still lives in the North East Inner City. She has worked in the community and voluntary sector on a full-time basis over the past 25 years, having held a variety of roles in both family services and substance misuse services with a major focus on Family Support, including front line service provision, training, programme development and management. Many of those years were spent working in local organisations including LYCS, Dublin Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign and North Wall CDP then moving to Ballyfermot STAR and finally working with One Family. Geraldine has a BA honours degree in Early Childhood Care and Education and recently completed a MA in Child Family and Community.
March brings in the first signs of Spring and with it the optimism that the days are getting longer and the weather getting better. See how our Active Retirement Group have been staying active below:
Yesterday was one of the best days of the year; Pancake Tuesday. The children had a great time and really loved their pancakes. Here is our Childcare Centre Manager Debbie in action. Look at that technique.
We have a Newsletter from our Men’s Group Coordinator, Glenn. The document contains a number of activities to keep you occupied. The theme of this newsletter is this shall pass. That’s important to remember. We are all doing our best during difficult circumstances, but it will be worth it when we all meet up again. Stay safe.
The introduction of Level 5 measures will mean changes for everybody, and Ozanam House is no different. Each programme is affected differently and each will have its own updates. All these plans are still subject to some changes. We thank you for your patience during this time and, as always, we will continue to support our service members and the community as best we can.
Childcare – Our Childcare Centre falls into the category of essential services and as such will remain open. Very little will change day-to-day. We continue to ensure the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 by strictly adhering to the guidelines and our protocols.
Youth Groups – Our Youth Groups are deemed an essential service and will remain open however they will now have a reduced capacity for the 6 weeks and will only allow a maximum of 4-5 people per group. The older age groups will now be offered a drop-in service while the younger groups will be no longer able to attend in-house services, but we will be posting out activity packs and organizing competitions and online events for all. Most in-house music classes will be cancelled for the coming few weeks. However, some of them will now be online.
Adult Education – All in-house Adult Education classes are unfortunately cancelled during Level 5, but many will have an online alternative. Our Cookery and Art Classes are available through video tutorial and the Yoga Classes will continue on Zoom.
Senior Programmes – Our Senior Programmes will continue in much the same way they have since the middle of March. Activities will be provided both online and through post. Glenn and Jenna will continue to be in contact with the members supporting all of them throughout this time.
As we begin Level 5 measures today, it is important to know what our programmes and groups will be doing during this period. Below is the Men’s Group schedule for the next 6 weeks. We will be updating information as the situation develops on this blog.
We are starting adult classes on a phased basis. All classes are 90 minutes or less and start and finish times are staggered. We have increased cleaning before and after classes and throughout the building. Our class numbers are reduced inline with social distancing measures. All students and teachers will be required to wear face coverings in class and throughout the building.
Men’s Group
The lads are doing well. I’m calling them once a week and sending them out puzzles and quizzes to keep them occupied. Obviously, social isolation is not good for people’s mental health, so below are a number of helpful pointers if you feel you are struggling.
Our youth services are commencing back in phased bases where we see our youngest groups start back up from the week of 28th of September, our senior services the week of 5th of October with most of our music groups coming back on 3rd of October for Dance and Piano classes and 10th of October for Violin classes.
We would like to say a huge welcome back to all the children, young people and volunteers to the centre. It was so great to see so many familiar faces back in the centre again and doing what we do best, supporting each other and our service users in times when it’s needed the most.
October is Mental Health Awareness Month and every year we spend few sessions doing mental health workshops, this year is going to be no different and maybe even more important as we will be exploring the anxiety and stress of lockdown and the new ways of going about our lives in schools and clubs. This year we will be concentrating on finding ways to relax and take a break when things get a little bit too much for us. This is one of the posters one of our senior groups made last year for Mental Health Awareness month with some great suggestions.
We were delighted when the scaffolding was removed at the front of the building. The builders carefully repointed the brickwork and it looks fantastic. The work will ensure the façade of this venerable Georgian building will be protected for a few decades more. An important note; work is being carried out beside the front door, but the entrance is open.
With the scaffoldingBeforeAfterA successful face-lift
We are currently looking for somebody to come in and tutor our guitar classes on Saturdays. All the details, including who to contact, are in the text below.
About Ozanam House Community Resource Centre
Ozanam House is a community project operated by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, working directly with people in need through an action-oriented programme, attempting to effect positive change through social justice. Our work primarily involves person-to-person contact. Throughout the year we run childcare, youth, adult education and community programmes.
What’s Involved
The Volunteer will teach three classes: Beginners, Improvers 1 and Improvers 2, 45 min each. Violin, guitar, piano and dance classes for children 6 to 11 years old.
Time commitment 10 am to 2 pm.
General knowledge of music subject, to be able to lead and support classes of up to 10 children. Be interested and enthusiastic to work with children and music.
What’s required for this position
This role requires guitar tutoring and planning and organisational skills
Level of English required for this role: Fluent English
Times and commitment required for this role
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Morning
X
Afternoon
X
Evening
Minimum time commitment: 1 year
Hours required: 3hrs Weekly
Training & Induction
• The volunteer will receive an induction/information night in the centre prior to his/her first inset and will get a general information pack to become familiar with the centre and our procedures
• The volunteer will have an initial meeting with the co-ordinator to receive a role-specific induction and to agree a timetable and schedule of duties in line with the volunteer role description
• Ongoing individual training programmes will be provided if necessary
Other Details
Location of volunteering opportunity: Ozanam House Resource Centre, Mountjoy Sq West, Dublin 1
Screening details for this role:
Garda Vetting
Informal Interviews
References
Application Form
Identification Check (photo ID etc…)
Volunteers will be provided with the following supports:
Support/ advice/ recognition
Supervision
Initial induction and training
Reimbursement of expenses
Ongoing training opportunities
Age restrictions: Over 18
Is this opportunity suitable for groups/teams of volunteers? No
Benefits you will receive as a volunteer
• General happiness and satisfaction • Personal and professional development in terms of confidence, patience, adaptability • Learn new skills (e.g decision-making and finding alternatives, leadership skills, communication skills, organizational skills
Here is the latest update on our Adult Education Registration and start dates; Community Our Adult Education Classes come under Adult and Higher Education. Some classes will start on the 5th of October. For more details contact us on 01 8742804. Registration week will not take place next week. We will be accepting registrations for programmes via the letterbox or by phone over the coming weeks. We will be holding teacher training online during that time and now plan to commence a shorter 6-week term starting on October 12th.
