13 July 2020: Barnardos Thurles were delighted to receive the Investing in Children Membership Award for providing an inclusive and imaginative environment in their Family Support Centre. The Investing in Children Membership Award recognises and celebrates examples of imaginative and inclusive practice.
Staff at the family support centre in Thurles wanted to provide a more appropriate and comfortable space for children, one where they felt safe to express themselves. The team worked closely with the children to facilitate this and created calming spaces, such as ‘The Cosy Zone’ and ‘The Chill Corner’. You can read more about the centre evaluation here.
Olive Carter, Project Leader, Barnardos Thurles said: “We are delighted to receive the Investing in Children Membership Award. The voices of the children in our centre have always been central to our work and their input provides a wonderful energy and vibrancy to the centre. At Barnardos, we believe childhood last a lifetime. A child whose ideas and imagination are being heard and, more importantly, listened to, will feel the positive benefits throughout their life because they know their voice matters. Barnardos Thurles will continue to strive to provide imagination and inclusive practice in our work.”
Barnardos centre in Thurles works with 117 children from 119 families, providing intensive family support to those that need it and also provides an early years service which aims to get little ones ready for their move to big school in September. The work is child-focused and aims to challenge children, their parents and carers to reach their full potential. For more information on Barnardos services visit www.barnardos.ie.
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
See Barnardos Thurles Evaluation here
For further information, please contact:
Barnardos Press Office: 01 7080442 / 086 0445966
Trudy McCarthy; 01 7080423
Lorna Cronnelly; 01 7080443