Some of the exhibitors who attended the Carlow PPN wellbeing in the community expo and ntworking event in the Seven Oaks Hotel. Photos: michaelorourkephotography.ie
Gary Graham, former manager of Bloom, speaking at the Carlow PPN Wellbeing in the Community Expo & Networking Event
Some of the participants at the Carlow PPN Wellbeing in the Community Expo & Networking Event
Cllr Andrea Dalton cathaoirleach Carlow County Council with Eamonn Moore PPN facilitator
Cllr Andrea Dalton cathaoirleach Carlow County Council with members of the Carlow PPN secretariat during the Carlow PPN Wellbeing in the Community Expo & Networking Event in the Seven Oaks Hotel, (seated l-r), Frank Morris, Eileen Doyle, Eamonn Moore and Thomas Kinsella, (standing (l-r), Patricia Duffy (PPN co-ordinator) and Fiona Broadberry (PPN Administrator)
By Sarah Slater
ONGOING communication is “crucial” on important issues affecting communities, a recent event on wellbeing heard.
Carlow Public Participation Network (PPN) held its first Spring Community Networking Plenary event of the year on Thursday 11 April in the Seven Oaks Hotel. The event was “very well attended” by people from around the county, who engaged with speakers on topics relevant to them, said Carlow PPN co-ordinator Patricia Duffe.
Ms Duffe continued: “It is crucial that we communicate with our members regularly to keep them informed about our efforts and to update them on topics that are currently of particular interest to the community. For this event, Carlow PPN focused on the theme of ‘Wellbeing in your community’, which explored the welfare of Carlow communities through the lens of the Carlow Community Wellbeing Vision, with member groups having the opportunity to connect with one another from around the county and to share experiences and ideas.”
The secretariat of Carlow PPN invited a host of speakers to discuss topics relevant to the community. The speakers included Frank Morris of Tullow Men’s Shed and Erin Byrne of Kiltegan Women’s Shed, who spoke frankly about sheds as safe places to reconnect with themselves and the wider community. Mark Hazzard from Co Kildare presented a successful model for ageing in a place where you are “never short of company”, and Gary Graham, renowned horticulturist and former manager of Bord Bia’s Bloom, which is Ireland’s premier garden festival, talked about the wellbeing benefits of community gardening.
Other opportunities were presented where groups could take part in mini-workshops on topics such as challenges for community groups on opening a bank account or credit union account, and for people to register their interest in starting a women’s shed in Carlow.
Shane Casey spoke about biodiversity, which captured people’s interest in the new garden Hedgehog Survey. Additionally, information on the new Community Recognition Fund 2024 was made available to attendees. PPN facilitator Eamonn Moore added: “The PPN is the main link between community groups, Carlow County Council and other decision-making bodies. Understanding and resolving the concerns that citizens have, and finding out how we can enable our groups to solve these issues together at a local level, depends heavily on the information and discussions that take place during and after these networking events hosted by Carlow PPN.”
For further information on Carlow PPN and funding opportunities see www.carlow.ppn. To find out about how to join, call Patricia Duffe on 087 1951444/059 9172495 pt email [email protected]
