West Cork centre promoting wellbeing seeks new volunteers

Sitting just outside the town centre, the Clonakily Community Resource Centre often goes unnoticed, but when found it is a welcoming haven for all the community to enjoy.

In 2016, the collation of the centre came to light in response to the community’s growing needs.

It established its aims to promote and support the various activities and workshops organised by different groups within the creative and active town of Clonakilty. The Resource Centre was seen as an opportunity to provide a space that would bring attention to and support their endeavours.

The Clonakilty community elected a committee to establish a Resource Centre and address various group’s needs. In 2017, public feedback confirmed the need. The committee then began searching for a suitable venue.

With support from the West Cork Traveller Centre, the Resource Centre had an official launch on Friday, November 9, 2018. Thanks to the ongoing commitment from volunteers and committee members and the kindness of the Traveller Centre, the space was made available for the Resource Centre every Friday morning. The long-awaited vision was starting to come to life!

The committee worked tirelessly to provide Clonakilty with a much-needed Resource Centre. 

They established the foundations, worked tirelessly on paperwork, built case studies, policies, and business plans, and gathered evidence to support the need for the centre.

The committee worked hard and dedicatedly, leading them to meet with Cork Mental Health Foundation (CMHF). CMHF supports projects that promote positive mental health and wellbeing in the community. CCRC and the Cork Mental Health Foundation discussed their common goals, considered the benefits and alignment of their missions, found a natural unity, and formed an alliance.

The Resource Centre was now under the governance of the Cork Mental Health Foundation. Unfortunately, there was a possibility of stigma associated with this transition. Mental health can be stigmatising, so it was important for everyone involved to focus on promoting and supporting positive well-being. The project aims to provide activities that bring people joy and positivity, allowing them to explore what benefits their wellbeing.

Cork Mental Health is dedicated to reducing the stigma associated with mental health. 

Projects should not be judged based on their name or partners. We work together to create a more inclusive and positive community, welcoming everyone with the hope that they leave feeling happier and more positive, regardless of their initial mood.

Celebrating their first birthday in November of that year, they invited the public to visit them to showcase their year of achievements and fun. The motto of that evening was “Welcome, may all who come as guests leave as friends,” which remains a true testament to what the centre is all about and continues to be today.

Over five years, the vision of having their place became a reality. After endless searching and fundraising, Cork Mental Health purchased a building at 21 Western Road, Clonakilty. They were delighted to have the official opening of the Clonakilty Community Resource Centre in October 2021.

The Resource Centre has a welcoming, cosy interior and warm, friendly staff who are knowledgeable about what’s happening in the Clonakilty community. It is open four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. The centre offers activities such as knitting, chair yoga, meditation, a men’s group, and a walking group.

All groups are exceptionally welcoming and inclusive, providing a space to gather, gain valuable knowledge, and, most importantly, foster meaningful friendships.

The social aspect of these activities has helped many people integrate back into their community after the Covid restrictions. Whether familiar faces or newcomers, everyone is befriending each other through shared interests, making the centre a lively and much-visited place.

The Resource Centre hosts numerous events, particularly during this time of year. Every year, the Centre takes part in Culture Night. This year’s event celebrated spice culture, allowing attendees to taste and experience dishes from other cultures while enjoying the sounds of alternative drumming. This event allows people to immerse themselves in a different world and heighten their senses of the diverse cultures in their local community.

The Centre also participates in the annual guitar festival, a bustling event for the town. Music fills the air, with people learning new skills in every corner.

The Centre hosts a guitar workshop led by the humble yet talented John Spillane, followed by a beautiful acoustic music session with Chris Hayes, who travels across the water annually for the event.

It is safe to say that the Clonakilty Community Resource Centre has become a very important social structure within the town of Clonakilty.

Currently, we are seeking volunteers to facilitate workshops and classes. If you are interested in supporting your community’s wellbeing, please get in touch with Cork Mental Health Foundation.

Email: aisling@corkmentalhealth.com Phone: 083 091 9833

More info:

Website: https://corkmentalhealth.com/clonakilty-resource-centre/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clonakiltycommunityresourcecentre/