CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

The reasons people volunteer are as rich and varied as the people themselves.

Whatever you're going through, whether it's big or small, don't bottle it up. The Samaritans are there for you

Many local families have been moved by the care of the Foyle Hospice where each person is treated with dignity, respect and compassion.

Donegal Action for Cancer Care want a health system that is there when you need it, that is fair and trustworthy.

ACCORD have professionally trained counsellors available to facilitate couples and individuals to explore, reflect upon and resolve difficulties in their marriage and relationship.





CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

One of the great things about living in Inishowen, is being part of a community. It is a safe place to bring up children, and we all belong to a society where we look out for each other. Many local people also have taken that extra step and have become involved in volunteering, working with a local organisation, to make a difference or get a need met. These are ordinary people giving their time and energy to provide services and meet local needs, such as helping out with a local football team or checking in on elderly neighbours.


Donegal Volunteer Centre
The Donegal Volunteer Centre operates a “One Stop Shop” for volunteering activity in Donegal. It has loads of volunteering opportunities available from youth work to support and advocacy, to administration and working with animals, and even being part of a mountain rescue team. Volunteering is a unique expression of active citizenship and it benefits the volunteer as well as the recipient. It helps people to fulfill their potential, while contributing to positive social and environmental change. The reasons people volunteer are as rich and varied as the people themselves and can include; wanting to give something back to the community, being asked to volunteer by a friend or neighbour, wanting to get more involved in the community, to build up experience that will help in getting paid employment, to build up self esteem and confidence and having a passion or belief around a particular issue.

The Donegal Volunteer Centre provides information and advice to people who are interested in volunteering as well as to organisations looking for volunteers. Donegal Volunteer Centre advertises volunteering vacancies, advises people on their volunteering options and helps organisations support their volunteers.

The service is free and confidential and is funded by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. For further information, please contact Sandra or Colleen on 074 91226740 or visit the website: http://www.volunteerdonegal.ie/

THE FOYLE HOSPICE
Many local families have been moved by the care of the Foyle Hospice where each person is treated with dignity, respect and compassion irrespective of their cultural or religious background. Their services include inpatient care, homecare, daycare, bereavement support and 24 hour telephone advice. The philosophy of the hospice means they are committed to providing the best quality of life for their patients with special emphasis on expert pain relief and symptom control. They combine excellent nursing and medical care with holistic support that recognises practical, emotional, social and spiritual needs and they respect the patient’s autonomy and support the family throughout the illness and bereavement.
Because all of the hospice services are free of charge to patients and their families, the hospice is always looking for ways to raise funds to continue their much needed and appreciated work. These include running marathons, weekly draws, and various fundraising events. The latest challenge is a three day West Highland Trek including climbing Ben Nevis next May. For further details contact Ciaran McGinley on 048 71359888

SAMARITANS
The Samaritans provide confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those, which could lead to suicide.
Whatever you're going through, whether it's big or small, don't bottle it up. The Samaritans are there for you if you're worried about something, feel upset or confused, or just want to talk to someone. You can contact the Samaritans by phone, email, letter and, in some centres, face to face. Common reasons to call Samaritans include; Relationship and family problems, loss, including the loss of a job, a friend or a family member through bereavement, financial worries, job-related stress or overwork, college or study related stress and body image issues. You can contact the Samaritans on 074 9120999 or 04871 265511

DONEGAL ACTION FOR CANCER CARE
The Donegal Action for Cancer Care (D.A.C.C.) campaigns for health services for the people of Donegal. They want to see a health system that supports and empowers you, your family and community to achieve your full health potential. They want a health system that is there when you need it, that is fair and trustworthy and that encourages you to have your say, listens to you, and ensures that your views are taken into account. They have recently launched a major campaign to retain a vital pre-cancer service at Letterkenny General Hospital. The colposcopy service prevents cervical cancer by detecting pre-cancerous lesions early and treating them. Approximately 700 women avail of this service annually. According to D.A.C.C., this service actually generates income for the budget of Letterkenny General Hospital and they are campaigning for this vital cancer service to be restored. For more details, see their web site – http://www.dacc.ie/

ACCORD
ACCORD has two local branches of the Catholic Marriage Care Service, located in Carndonagh and Derry. ACCORD provides different services to help marriages grow and thrive.

Marriage Preparation Courses
Before the big day comes, why not take time out to honour each other and your commitment and attend an ACCORD Marriage Preparation Programme. This course emphasizes the needs of the couple, allowing time to explore the relationship, the unique partnership and gives time to celebrate this commitment to each other. Courses are run locally and can help the couple understand each other better.

Fertility and Wellbeing
Planning a family carries much responsibility along with joy and, sometimes, great disappointment for a couple. The process of the couple gathering information and knowledge about their fertility can be very enlightening and satisfying. ACCORD provides an educational service, offering instruction / counselling in Fertility Awareness and Natural Family Planning (NFP) for women and couples.

Relationship Counselling
ACCORD have professionally trained counsellors available to facilitate couples and individuals to explore, reflect upon and resolve difficulties in their marriage and relationship. The service is totally confidential the service facilitates you to clarify your particular situation, to express your thoughts and feelings and explore new options and agree a course of action.