The Rural Social Scheme

In South West Mayo

john corless

South West Mayo

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

population.

Westport

Castlebar

3 Supervisors

Claremorris2 Supervisors

Ballinrobe

2 Supervisors

Louisburgh

2 Supervisors

Newport

1 Supervisor

Mayo Abbey

Ballindine

Structure

RSS Commenced in September 2004By October 2008 –

10 Schemes191 Participants

Co-Ordinator, 10 SupervisorsPart-time Administrator

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.

Some Figures

We serve 133 Community groups

With 191 Participants- 136 Male- 55 Female

Social Care and care for the elderly, Community Care for both pre-school and after school groups.

Serving 23 Communities30 Participants

- 28 Female- 2 Male

Location

Currently operates measures in all areas.

Meals delivery service operates in four areas–

Louisburgh, Mayo Abbey,Castlebar,Ballindine.

Numbers1 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%

No Legislative Framework

Left to Community and Social groups to deliver. HSE very supportive.RSS a vital ingredient.

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.

AchievementsHot, 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.

AchievementsHot, 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.

Lessons Learned

Start small.Listen.Communities must take charge.High standards – exceed EHO

requirements.Start working and keep working

with HSE and EHO.

ChallengesPersonnel.Training.Working with stakeholders.Funding needs – who gets what from

where.Keeping families and communities

involved.High community expectations of RSS

SolutionsIdentifying and utilising RSS Participant

talents.Utilising volunteers.Pro active supervision.Developing relationships with

stakeholders.Regular reminders of role / boundaries

of RSS.

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.

Some Images

...from South West Mayo

Brigid McGurrin in the kitchen at Mayo Abbey

Teresa Derrig and Carmel Prendergast obviously enjoy chopping parsnips

Eileen Hurst prepares vegetables at Mayo Abbey.

Padraic Chalke gets the Mayo Abbey delivery van ready.

Satisfied customers.

and more satisfied customers.

And another satisfied customer (with keen spectators.)

Warmer Homes

The Warmer Homes Scheme is another service provided by SWMDC.

Base & People

Warmer Homes operates out of Claremorris at Clar ICH offices.

4 Participants Involved.2 Installers2 Admin.

Service Provided

Attic Insulation,Draught Proofing of houses,Lagging Jackets,Energy Saving Bulbs,Energy Saving Advice.

Promotion

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

Clients

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

Numbers

Commenced in September 2006250 houses insulated to date.Typical saving of 30% on heating bill,

- 25% on water heating bill,- 80% on lighting bill.

Plus the environmental impact.

ChallengesRecruiting 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.

Solutions

Training. Draw up criteria for prioritising

clients. Work closely with SEI and ESB.Regular visits to clients by supervisor.Ongoing review of operations.

Future Plans

Continue to provide a high standard of service.

Become involved in Care & RepairProgramme.

Looking for new opportunities in energysaving areas.

Some Images

...from Warmer Homes

RSS Participants getting ready to insulate an attic.

Work in progress

Insulation in place.

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..

Other Initiatives

Children’s Allowance 1 Aug 1944. Half a Crown for third and subsequent children. Introduced by Seán Lemass TD.

Minister for Supplies, Industry and Commerce.

Went on to replace Eamonn DeValera as Taoiseach.

Significance of RSSTime 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.

ConclusionRSS 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.

Questions

Go Raibh Míle Mhaith Agaibh Go Léir