In response to the hardship caused by the pandemic Oakfield Trust has donated to several local projects in Clondalkin & Tallaght and contributed to two national Government match funded initiatives. Oakfield Trust, the Clondalkin-based social enterprise, has been in the area for more than 20 years. The organisation provides a range of property-based services and related supports to local communities and projects. The company acquires and leases properties which it tailor-fits to the needs of local organisations that work with marginalised groups and socially excluded communities in South Dublin.
Oakfield Trust has donated €130,000 in funding to initiatives working to combat the impact of Covid-19. The organisation was fortunate to have a surplus in its Risk Reserve Fund which enabled the company to help support a number of projects during the pandemic which has posed a huge challenge for many local organisations. In order to donate as much as possible, Oakfield Trust selected initiatives with Government match funding – contributing €45,000 to The Children’s Rights Alliance Emergency Food Provision Scheme aimed at addressing food poverty across Ireland and €75,000 to Rethink Ireland’s Social Innovation Fund which offers extensive wraparound supports to vulnerable social and community enterprises across Ireland. Funding for both initiatives will be matched by the Government – thereby doubling the amount available to these organisations – and will be targeted at support for projects in the South County Dublin area. In addition to these funding schemes Oakfield Trust has also donated one- off funding grants to local food charities in Neilstown and Killinarden as well as Saoirse Women’s Refuge in Tallaght and Beacon of Light Counselling Services in Clondalkin.
Marie Duffin, Manager of Oakfield Trust, said: “It has been a really difficult time for the whole community during this pandemic. These funding donations will help and support local people and projects – with funding allocated where it is needed the most. We believe that now is the time for our fantastic community to come together and help each other recover from the Covid-19 crisis and build strong links for the future.”
The Children’s Rights Alliance established the Emergency Food Provision Scheme at the end of April to support the nutritional needs for children under 6 years experiencing poverty and deprivation during the Covid-19 crisis and the Children and Young People Services Committees (CYPSC) played a key role in the delivery of the scheme by assisting organisations serving those with the greatest need to apply for the funding. Rethink Ireland provides cash grants and business supports to social innovations that directly address the current crisis and can make a real difference across Ireland.
Marie added: “These initiatives are doing excellent work and we are fortunate to be in a position at this time of crisis to be part of their efforts by helping to fund their projects. Indeed, we believe their work will have a huge supportive impact on the lives of children and families within our own community and, through shared learning and other collaborations, on communities around the country.”
For more information about Oakfield Trust please visit the website www.oakfieldtrust.ie.
