Community leadership training to assist county groups

A COMMUNITY Leadership Training Programme for residents associations has been developed by County Limerick VEC based on a structure initiated by Ballyhoura Development and in conjunction with Limerick County Council. The training guide is the culmination of the VECโ€™s work with community leaders, from residents associations, parents councils, community groups and community councils and was launched by Minister of State for Housing Jan Oโ€™Sullivan at County Hall, last Monday.

The training is about supporting individuals who want to make a change in their community by taking a more active involvement and covers a wide range of topics from residents association goals to conflict resolution and effective communication.
โ€œHousing estates form an integral part of our community so we view them as a priorityโ€, said director of services in the housing section of the council.
โ€œThe programme will allow us to work on tangible issues like cleanups, while offering encouragement and advice with the creation of residents groups.
โ€œIt is modelled on community leadership programmes already in place in Ballyhoura and delivered by group facilitator and community leadership trainer, Donal Fitzgibbonโ€.
Cllr John Sheahan said that the launch was about, โ€œsupporting community leaders and about building communitiesโ€.
Minister of State, Jan Oโ€™Sullivan, said that the council was โ€œleading the country in this forum and in its approach to working with communities to identify and support leadersโ€.
She said the programme would build on a โ€œgenuine relationship between local authorities and communitiesโ€.
Developing community Leaderships training is suitable for any individual who would like to play a more active role in their community.
Ballyhoura Community development worker, Olivia Oโ€™Brien, told the Limerick Post that the scheme already in place was working well.
โ€œWe launched it four years ago with residents in Cappamore and we negotiated a lease for a community house where there is something on offer for people of all ages, like basic computer skills courses, after school programmes and health eating advice.
โ€œThere was a lot of interest from people looking to get more involved in their community and members underwent training in 2010 and received certificates in community leadership.
โ€œThey are big into improving the appearance of their area and won a Pride of Place award last yearโ€.
Any group looking to take part in the training can contact Regina Duane, community education facilitator at County Limerick VEC.

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