THE establishment of the North Burren Community Group has been hailed as an example of what small rural communities can achieve when they unite under a new umbrella organisation.
CLARE County Council has pledged to lend community development assistance to any local voluntary group that establishes a proposed new meals on wheels service for elderly people in West and North Clare.
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Community response continues to support Clare’s vulnerable
February 27, 2021
MORE than 1,200 calls have been answered by Clare’s Covid-19 Community Response Helpline since it was set up last March. Members of the Rural Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) were briefed at a meeting last week by Senior Executive Officer, Bernie Haugh, who outlined how the local authority continues to coordinate the service with the support of a county-wide network of volunteers.
“Up to February 14, the helpline has responded to 1,277 calls, with call relating to medical help needs, collection and delivery of food and fuel, the delivery of meals, social isolation and related queries,” Ms Haugh said.
Councillors warn of debt and mental health impact of lockdown
February 19, 2021
HUNDREDS of local families are struggling to cover the cost of food and fuel, a council committee has heard, with concerns that lockdown is tipping people into debt and mental health issues. A “food and fuel poverty emergency” like that seen during the first wave of Covid-19, was outlined to members of the Rural Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) this week. Bernie Haugh, Senior Executive Officer, Rural and Community Development, said 375 families and individuals now need emergency food and fuel support.
“Heat and lighting costs are increasing as more people spend time at home under the Level 5 restrictions, school and childcare closures result in more families having to meet additional food needs,” she outlined. “Older people are struggling to meet fuel costs and that’s worsened by the lack of alternative heated spaces. They would have gone to libraries or shopping centres, that’s no long