Deansrath Family Service has outgrown its current home and is hoping to raise €1million for a new building to facilitate its Child and Family Support Service. The organisation, which has been based in Clondalkin for more than 20 years, has grown along with the community and now requires a bigger space to run programmes, classes and preschool.
Providing a wide-range of child and family support services in West Dublin, the organisation is committed to the delivery of evidence-based programmes and operates an “open-door policy” in the heart of the community. However, the growth of the service along with an upsurge of people using Deansrath Family Centre has resulted in an urgent need for larger premises to facilitate the programmes, courses and early years pre-school run by staff at the centre.
Integral programmes such as Dinosaur School, which tackles behavioural issues in young children, CoderDojo which is a computer coding club, Baby Programmes and the Young Persons’ Working Group which gives teenagers from the area an opportunity to have their say, are now held in a separate building in Bawnogue while the Family Support team is confined to a portacabin at the back of the centre. Siobhan Feehan, Deansrath Family Centre Manager explained that there are many challenges for staff in the current building. She said: “The staff here are so dedicated and passionate about
the work they do but there is frustration around the working conditions. Our Family Support team struggle to find quiet rooms to meet with clients and there is limited space for children who might need extra support.”
“Over the years we have grown along with the community and now is the time to move to a bigger building so as we can deliver the service that our community deserves.” Staff, board members and supporters came together on Wednesday to host ‘An Intimate Evening with Celine Byrne’ which saw performances from Ian Doyle and Barry Dowling from the Homonics to help fundraise towards the €1million target – with €2,500 raised on the night.
Ms Feehan said: “We are overwhelmed with the support from our generous donors and look forward to starting our local fundraising campaign early in the new year.” Those who wish to donate can visit Deansrath Family Centre Building Fund here
