Type: Rural Pre-school Group
Location: Ballycassidy is located some 4 miles north west of Enniskillen
Background and Rationale
In January 1991, two local women in the community of Ballycassidy approached the local Social Services about the need to establish a community playgroup in the area that would be run by local parents. Trory, Ballycassidy, Killadeas, Whitehall and Mullghmeen had witnessed an influx of new residential housing over recent years, which increased the numbers of new families locally and subsequently the number of pre-school children. As a result of this meeting the women were advised to approach the local community for support, which in turn led to the development of a petition being signed by many parents within the area for the establishment of a locally provided pre-school facility. The petition upon completion was forwarded to Social Services.
A Committee consisting of ten local members was formed who approached the Rector of the Local Church of Ireland Church in order ask if the Church would consider renting their Parochial Hall to the group for the purposes of establishing a pre-school project in the area of Ballycassidy. The Church agreed to the request from the group. Following the attainment of permission and the go ahead having been given to use the hall, improvements were carried out to the barn type building that was entirely made from timber framed. Hot water was installed and a softball play area along with a secured fence was erected. Jolly Tots Playgroup opened in September 1991.
Impacts of the Mentoring Support
The key and ultimate impact of the Mentoring Support was the fact that the Jolly Tot’s Play group achieved the initial goal they had envisaged at the start of the Community and Voluntary Group Mentoring Programme. In particular, they achieved the development and opening of their own purpose built pre-school facility that is located at the heart of the rural Ballycassidy community and catering for up to 20 children. Further, the successful completion of the building of the project represents the potential of cross community activity and provision of the first neutral space within the locality.
When asked if the mentoring objectives had been met the group firmly agreed that they were “fully met”. In particular funding for the project had being secured successfully with the help from the Fermanagh Trust through the expert assistance of the Mentor. Specifically, funding was secured from the Fermanagh District Partnership to the sum of £20,000, the Early Years Development Fund provided some £2,250 and Lloyds T.S.B provided and additional £1,000. “We are now sitting in a beautiful hall. There were nights I didn’t sleep but with the support of the Fermanagh Trust and the Mentoring Scheme it has eased the process. It has being a breath of fresh air”.
Jolly Tots Playgroup plan to further develop the Centre by offering their facilities to other groups within the community. Liaising with other agencies will prove valuable to create a programme of activities for the whole community. Support is continuing through the Fermanagh Trust Mentoring Programme, which is highly valued. However fears were expressed of the need for on-going funding and support to maintain the centre, “It can be scary that the project could still fall through. We feel we still need to be able to call on the Fermanagh Trust as when we need to. Managing our own building is new to us. We need help in putting systems and procedures in place, and making sure that we can sustain and keep the centre going.”
Reflecting on how the mentoring scheme benefited the group it was noted that personal development skills were developed, such as an increase in “confidence building” and “assertiveness skills” which enabled the group to move the project forward more successfully. Also, through the support of the Fermanagh Trust Mentor members of Jolly Tot’s Management Committee undertook new roles of Chairperson and Secretary along with training in book-keeping through the Fermanagh Trust’s Short Workshop Series. Jolly Tot’s playgroup also found that through the scheme they worked better and more effectively as a team, learning as they went along.
The group did suggest that at present they could benefit from the mentoring scheme to develop a strategy for the future sustainability of the playgroup and of the centre.
The new Centre has brought a lot of advantages to community life for the people in the area. Services are provided locally and as a cross-community playgroup, the centre is a neutral venue for all community members. Parents also play an active part in the project, participating in special events and are members of the committee. As well as providing a service for the children, it is increasingly being used to provide a social outlet for the new and existing residents of the area.
