Charitable initiative inspired by St Brigid launched in Cork

An initiative aimed at assisting those experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, loneliness, and hardship has been launched in Cork.

The Naomh Brids initiative was announced at the inaugural St Brigid’s Day gathering at Cork City Hall on Monday.

The initiative, inspired by St Brigid, seeks to celebrate her humility and compassion towards the poor, sick, elderly, and all who struggle.

Launched by Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy and Lady Mayoress Karen Brennan, the event was hosted by Catriona Twomey who was invited to launch the charitable initiative which will be led and run by experienced volunteers.

Like St Brigid herself, whose patronage extended to poets and nuns, fugitives and farmers, those who came together at City Hall to support the initiative dedicate their time and talents to supporting people from all walks of life, shining a light into many of the darker corners of our communities.

Chair of Naomh Brids, Fr Con O’Doherty, welcomed women and men from across Cork’s voluntary and community sector to the event, which included Mary Crilly of the Sexual Violence Centre, Olive Morris of Women’s Aid, and Jennifer Dowler of Dogs for the Disabled.

Representatives from the Good Shepherd Services, Cork Suicide Awareness, Irish United Nations Veterans Association, the Cobh Group, Solace Café, Second Glance, and the High Hopes Choir were also among the volunteers who came together to launch the centre.

NAOMH BRIDS

Naomh Brids, which describes itself as “a group united by faith and experience, recognising the urgent need for a support centre for people facing challenges such as homelessness, addiction, poverty, loneliness and hardship”, further received the blessing and support for this initiative from the two bishops of Cork — Bishop Fintan Gavin and Bishop Paul Colton.

The group has grown out of their current premises and is urgently seeking a larger premises in the city centre that will provide a welcoming space where people can find solace and support, be cared for, and begin their journey back to stability.

The centre will offer food and nourishment, access to showers and clean clothing, guidance and practical assistance, education and employment support, family support groups, addiction support, help with administration and form-filling, support for those bereaved by loved ones in addiction and suffering from mental health, and help connecting those in need with the relevant organisations.

The group also needs a warehouse for storage and sorting.

In addition, Naomh Brids also intends to provide healing and joy through music, poetry, drama, reading, and prayer, as well as hosting recovery meetings for those experiencing addiction. The group will also undertake outreach work, including visiting people in hospital, bringing companionship and essential items to those who need it.

A spokesperson for Naomh Brids said volunteers who support their vision of compassion and practical assistance, will be comprehensively trained to work sensitively with vulnerable adults, and will be drawn from organisations throughout Cork, making the proposed new day centre a badly needed one-stop shop for the city’s most vulnerable, and valued, citizens.