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Monday 19, January 2009

Investing in a Brighter Future for Children

Minister O'Keeffe, T.D., Unveils Barnardos Brighter Futures Centre in Cork

19th January, Cork - Barnardos, Ireland's leading children's charity and the Bon Secours Foundation were joined today by Minister Batt O'Keeffe T.D. to officially launch an innovative early years service in a new state-of the art centre in Knocknaheeny, Cork.

The services provided in the Barnardos Brighter Futures Centre are aimed at improving the educational outcomes of children living in the Knocknaheeny area and helping them to reach their full potential. There are approximately 1,200 children living in Knocknaheeny who currently face significant challenges in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Speaking at today's launch the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe T.D., said, "I am delighted to unveil this innovative centre in the heart of Knocknaheeny. The combined experience of Barnardos and the Bon Secours has shaped the development of this purpose-built centre and its services that will help improve the educational outcomes for children from the surrounding area. This is the start of a bright new future for the children of Knocknaheeny."

Knocknaheeny is a district of Cork city which has historically suffered serious social and economic disadvantage with children in Knocknaheeny currently having a much lower level of educational achievement than their peers in other parts of Cork City.

Fergus Finlay, Chief Executive of Barnardos explained the importance of the Brighter Futures Centre to the area, "Latest reports indicate that there is an alarmingly high rate of school drop out in Knocknaheeny, with three out of four children leaving school before their Junior Certificate and only 1% completing a degree. The Brighter Futures Centre is about evening the odds for children in Knocknaheeny. We are putting in place supports that will help children to stay in school and make the most of their education, regardless of what they're up against."

"Research has shown time and again that there's a direct relationship between poverty and low educational achievement. One in three children in disadvantaged communities leaves primary school unable to read and write. The long-term impact can be devastating as it perpetuates the cycle of poverty and further social and economic disadvantage. Brighter Futures aims to support children and their parents to break this cycle and achieve better educational outcomes. The children of Knocknaheeny deserve the same opportunities as their peers to fulfil their potential," Finlay concluded.

Speaking about the partnership with Barnardos, Sr. Margaret Mary Hanafin, Chairperson, Bon Secours Foundation said, "Today's launch demonstrates the strength of communities working together towards achieving a common goal and that togetherness and partnership can create a sense of belief. The completion of the Brighter Futures centre is a result of investment by a wide group of partners, both public and private in realising this goal to provide improved facilities for children and parents in the locality.

She continued: "This sense of partnership is also realised in the commitment of Bon Secours Foundation and Barnardos towards working with the local community to help remove barriers that prevent a child from learning in school, making friends, making safe choices and being happy. Bon Secours Foundation has as its focus the care and well-being of women and children in particular and with this in mind we continue to be committed to working within the community, and to build on its strengths."

Alongside the provision of world class programmes in educational improvement the Brighter Futures Centre itself provides a unique and positive space to help build improved emotional well-being and increased capacity for learning and development.

The innovative building was designed around the physical, social, emotional and environmental needs of the children and their families and is tightly knitted into the surrounding housing. It contains light filled colourful rooms that coalesce into a series of creative and stimulating spaces for the children.

The following services will be provided in The Brighter Futures Centre:

• Preparing for your Baby Programme - group work programme
• Parent/Baby Programme and Parent/Toddler Programme - group work programme
• 2 Early Years Services to support early childhood development:
o High Scope Infant/Toddler Programme - High Scope uses the approach of active participatory learning for children.
o Tus Maith Pre-school Service - Tús Maith is Barnardos Early Years programme for children aged 3-4 years which uses the High Scope and REDI curricula to ensure that children develop appropriately, are socially and emotionally literate and are ready to start school.
• Friendship Group and other after-school group programmes will address social skills and poor peer relationships, and are programmes designed to help children to learn how to manage their emotions.
• School Support Programmes will help the child address issues which may be impacting on their education and ultimately remain in school. These can include: Transition to primary school; Transition to secondary school.
• Home School Support and Parent Support will work with parents to improve parenting capacity and create links between home and school. This approach will work with the parent / child / family / school to find solutions to issues which may be impacting on the child's attendance and participation at school.

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For further information please contact:
Yolanda Kennedy 01/7080443 0863860638
Irene Lawlor 01/7080423 0863980441

Editor's Note:

Design and construction
The Brighter Futures Centre was designed by Magee Creedon Kearns Architects, and built by O'Sheas Builders of Cork.

Generous support for the construction of the building was received from:
• Former Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
• Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
• Cork City Council
• HSE South
• Sustainable Energy Ireland

Partners
Barnardos has a close working partnership with the Bon Secours Foundation, who is a key partner in developing this project. The Bon Secours Foundation has a particular focus in supporting projects for women and children.

Generous support for the operation of the service from 2008 to 2010 was received from:
• Bon Secours Foundation
• Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Dormant Accounts Flagship Funds)
• Tom Cavanagh
• Dormant Accounts operated through Pobal

Barnardos supports children whose well-being is under threat, by working with them, their families and communities and by campaigning for the rights of children. Barnardos was established in Ireland in 1962 and is Ireland's leading independent children's charity

The Bon Secours: "Bon Secours, good help to those in need within a spirit of Healing, Compassion, Liberation"

 

 

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