Western Travellers Intercultural & Development Association.: August 2007

HARMONY

Western Travellers Intercultural
&

Development Association

Bru Bhride, Church View, Tuam
Tel: 09325244 / 25456 /25244
Email: westtravdev@eircom.net

New name for the organisation.
From January 2007 a policy decision was made to change the T.T.E.D.A (Tuam Travellers and Education Development Association) to W.T.I. D. A. (Western Traveller and Intercultural Development).
This Board of Management decision was made to reflect the organisations
TUAM THE MOST INCLUSIVE TOWN IN IRELAND FRANK FAHY'S visit to the
WESTERN TRAVELLER & INTERCULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

Minister Frank Fahy visited
The Western Traveller and Intercultural Development Association.
During his visit he was given a presentation of the five years Strategic Plan for the organisation and an update of current activities. Minister Fahy was asked to launch the new name of the organisation – Western Traveller and Intercultural Development, Tuam (formally Tuam Travellers and Education and Development Association). During his speech he congratulated the organisation on the progress.
They are making in relation to the Traveller Community in Tuam. He also stated that Tuam is the most inclusive town in Ireland and is a model to follow for other towns. He stated that this has been achieved in no small part by the work of Western Traveller & Inter
Cultural Development, plus other organisations and individuals in Tuam.

Wayne Mc Donagh (Music Project Pupil) Minister Frank Fahy and Brian Murphy (HSE West)

Table Of Contents

1. Cover
Name Change Launch with Minister Frank Fahey.

Since January 2007 the Minister Frank Fahey organisation has changed
Its name to Western Travellers and Intercultural Development.

2. Comments from Martin Western Travellers and
Intercultural Development Association.

It is the intention of the organisation to develop other new projects in the County, namely Athenry, Loughrea, and Ballinasloe.
We are currently planning in relation to these initiative. Here at the Tuam centre we have many successful Projects operating, these Projects would not be possible without the support of R.A.P.I.D. Tuam Fas, Co. Galway VEC and H.S.E West.

The Projects areas follow:
*FAS Community Employment Scheme 18 workers.
*Primary Health care programme 12 women
*Back to Education initiative12 men.
*St Anthony Boxing club 20 members.
*Computer Project 20+members
*After school Support 30 members, this is been reviewed due it Health and Safety concerns.
*Gym
*Girls club 15 members
*Women’s group 10 members
*Tuam Music Resource page Project 50 members with 82 members on waiting lists.
*Horse Care Project to come on stream will cater for 100 participants.
*Alcohol Worker to be employed shortly.

We are also hoping to develop a social economic programme during the summer it will be based here at Bru Bhride.

We are currently developing the new Heritage Centre and this should be open to the public by September 2007. This venue will be at ground floor and wheelchair assessable.
One of our new initiatives, which have commenced since September 2006, was purpose built Gym. This gym is currently up and operational and is getting a lot of use by men and women as well as the Boxing club members.
We are awaiting Contraction to commence further work on the gym. We are putting in showers and meeting rooms as well as extra toilets. This project was funded under the Capital Sports Grant. The equipment was funded by the Department of Rural and Gaeltacht affairs. If you would like to get involved in any of the projects why not call in and have a chat with us.

CLLR Martin WARD:
Martin will meet clients every Thursday from 10.30 - 12.00 p.m. at the centre and also by
Tel 093-25244 / 25456

WesternRegional Traveller Health Network Western Traveller Intercultural Development organisation held an information session on Alcohol and Drug Addiction on the 7th November 2007, this was attended by the Primary Health Care workers from Tuam, Loughrea, Galway, Ballinasloe, Ballina and Roscommon. The speakers who wish to remain anonymous both past alcohol and drug addicts gave a very moving account of their lives and how they got involved in alcohol and drug abuse, their subsequent time spent in prison (17 years to 7 years), through breaking the law to feed their habit, both men are now members of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous and give talks to organisations and groups on addiction.

Various information was shared around the different types of Counselling and Treatment Centres that is available in the Country, however they stated that theer is not enough funding available for such centres to cope with the increasing numbers of people that need to use these services. We hope to invite them both back in the near future to talk to the wider Community.

STYLES AHEAD

Bru Bhride Churchview

A New Community based hairdressing saloon opened in Bru Bhride Church View Tuam. It will be a benefit to all young and old it opened on the 31st of August 07.

Opening hours are Thursday to Saturday from 10.00 to 6.00.pm