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general information

Support Groups for ex-Republican Prisoners

 

Name/Contact Description

Abhaile Arís

22 Meadowbank,
Long Lane, Letterkenny, Donegal
Ph: 003531749128610

 Abhaile Arís, based in Letterkenny, County Donegal, works with the Republican ex-Prisoner community to bring about their acceptance as equal members of Irish society. Abhaile Arís works with other such organisations throughout Ireland and in particular aims to support and highlight issues facing Republican ex-prisoners and families, people displaced as a result of the conflict and, more broadly, to individuals and groups within the community. Some of the services  offered include:
• Drop-in Centre
• Info and Advice sessions
• Advocacy
• Social Economy Project
• Training and Education Courses
• Counselling

Tar Isteach


133 Hillman Street, Belfast 15 2FX.
Ph: 02890746664 or e-mail: www.taristeachnorthbelfast.org

 Working for the social, economic and emotional well-being of republican ex-prisoners, displaced persons and former activists and their families. The aims and objectives of Tar Isteach are to attain equality, inclusion, full citizenship and emotional well-being for Republican Ex-Prisoners and their families in North Belfast through the provision of Advice, Counselling, Emotional Support, Youth Provision, Training and Education.

Cairde

260 Gallowgate, Glasgow, G4OTU.
Ph: 01415528554 (In Scotland)
1415528554 (outside Scotland)

 Cairde na hÉireann has already been campaigning in support of the Castlerea prisoners and the families of victims of collusion. Cairde Na hÉireann is an umbrella group established to co-ordinate those forces campaigning for a united Ireland.
Cairde Na hÉireann constitution outlines its aims as; to campaign for a united Ireland, support sister organisations in Ireland who campaign for a united Ireland, to promote the creation of a New Ireland based on the principles justice and equality Support initiatives that are aimed at improving the material conditions of the Irish community in Scotland and to campaign against racism and sectarianism.

Coiste na nIarchimí  


10 BeechmountAvenue, Belfast, BT127NA
 Ph: 082 90200770 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The aims of Coiste are to work for the full integration of republican former prisoners into the community and to facilitate the contribution of prisoners both to the creation of peace and justice in Ireland and to the overall social fabric of the country. In its day-to-day work, Coiste strives to bring about practical measures which will improve the lives of former prisoners and their families. This entails work across a variety of issues including employment difficulties, education and training, and the fight against the criminalisation, discrimination and harassment which continue to frustrate the efforts of former prisoners to build a proper life for themselves and their families outside prison.

Tar abhaile


La nua

Tus Nua

South Derry ex prisoners

Tar Anall


Failte Cluain Eois

Ar Ais Aris. Dungannon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Support Groups

Family Support Groups

 

Name Address Description
Bedford Row Family Centre

Family Resource Centre, Lower Bedford Row,

Ph: 061315332
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Bedford Row Family Project seeks to facilitate the families of prisoners, as a group sharing common interests, to identify the needs and issues which are of importance to them, to develop strategies to address those issues and needs, to carry those strategies through to implementation and to monitor and evaluate progress.
Daughters of Charity Child and Family The service operates in a number of places around Dublin, such as, Ballyfermot, Tallaght, Blanchardstown, Balbriggan etc The Daughters of Charity Child and Family Service provides a range of family support services for children and families, primarily based in the Dublin region. We work in collaboration with the Health Service Executive North Dublin, Dublin North Central, West , North West, South West, North East and Dublin City Council.
The Matt Talbot Community Trust

Kylemore Rd (Rear of Assumption Church), Ballyfermot, Dublin 10

Contact Person: Grainne Jennings (Director)
Phone: (01) 626-4899

 The aims of the project is to provide community support including education, counselling, recreation and meals especially for those returning to the area from prison or addiction therapy, or for various reasons unable to cope alone. - To provide training for work through FAS Community Employment Scheme. - To provide formal and informal education including Junior and Leaving Certificate subjects. - To provide support for prisoners and their families through prison visitation and an outreach service to their families and a Women's Group.

Irish Commision Of Prisoners Overseas

Columbu Centre, Maynooth, Co Kildare Ph: 01 5053156, E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Information, advocacy and support for Irish prisoners overseas and their families. As prisoners near completion of their sentence, ICPO makes referrals to homeless services (including accommodation for ex-offenders) in Dublin or elsewhere.
Target group
Irish prisoners serving sentences overseas, and their families.
Area served
Prisoners mostly UK, families mainly in Ireland. Service also for prisoners in other countries.
Springboard Project Naas
 1 New Row, New Row, Newbridge Road, Naas, Co. Kildare  Ph: 045 898623
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 		The Vision of Springboard is to support families with their own communities. It is envisaged that this will be achieved through inter-agency collaboration, commitments to wide ranging consultations and partnerships with families and community. Referrals will be accepted from the Eastern Health Board, schools, Juvenile Liaison Officer and other concerned agencies. There will be an emphasis on self referral.
Familiscope
 Siobhan O Reilly, 201 Decies Road, Ballyfermot Ph: 01 6206842 To work in partnership with individuals, families and communities in Ballyfermot, to prevent children and young people developing behavioural communication and relationship difficulties and to support people who live and work with children and young people who are already experiencing such difficulties.
Family Support Service Bridge House, Cherry Orchard Hospital, Ballyfermot, D 10
Ph: 01 6206387 or E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The service offers flexible home based support to families for an agreed number of hours each week in one or more of the following areas:

Parenting confidence, Diet, nutrition, health
Personal development ,  Family finance
Home care and management,  Budgeting
Establishing routines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mission Statement

 

The Prisoners' Families Infoline is a free and confidential telephone helpline for anyone who is affected by the imprisonment of a close family member or friend.

As well as providing information, we offer non-judgemental support and a listening ear.

Volunteering Opportunities

It can be a distressing time for prisoners’ families when someone is sent to prison. They may feel as if they too, are serving a sentence. They may feel lonely and confused and would like someone to talk to. Often they have questions about the prison system or visiting and keeping in touch. 

Becoming a Volunteer
No previous experience is required but volunteers must be able to show that they have the ability to work with other people and understand the issues faced by callers.

Commitment
We ask you to give 3 hours per week to work on the infoline between 11am -2pm, Monday to Friday. We would expect volunteers to commit for at least 6 months.

Training after induction period
Volunteers will have to attend two days training. Training will include:
•    Confidentiality
•    Communication Skills
•    Creating a framework for a call
•    Effective use of questions
•    Listening Skills

Support
You will work as part of a small team. There will always be someone available to assist and advise you while on calls.

If you would like to volunteer with Prisoners Families Infoline, please contact us at 1890  25 25 78 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We will then ask you to  fill out an application form. Once that is received you may be asked to attend an informal interview and following that, complete on-site and formal training.

Funding

PFI is funded entirely from private donations and from grants.  Some grants are from statutory bodies, others are from private donations.

 

To date, the main funding bodies have been:

The Saint Stephen's Green Trust
The Allen Lane Foundation
Pobal
Dominican Sisters
Society of Friends Ireland
Katherine Howard Foundation
Community Foundation of Ireland

 

We are in urgent need of funding so that the Helpline can continue.  We are grateful for any donation, however large or small.

 

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