Athlone community services launch three new websites to aid accessibility
The Athlone Community Services Council (ACSC) officially launched its new websites at an event in Athlone Library on Thursday last (September 12).
Three websites were launched at the event; the main ACSC umbrella website, as well as a website for the council's childcare services and one for its Esker House domestic abuse support services.
ACSC Chairperson Cyril Dully said the community services council was developed in the late 60s and early 70s when society was seeing a lot of changes: Switzerland gave women the vote, and Led Zeppelin played 'Stairway to Heaven' in Belfast.
“The sense of social change infused the entire community,” he said, adding that, in Athlone, people became concerned with a lack of services.
He said the ACSC came together to form an umbrella group. While “the organisation didn't always go from strength to strength,” the support it received from its board has enabled it to provide its services over the last 50 years.
Cyril said the purpose of launching the websites was to make the services more accessible to the community.
“There is an over-demand for our services,” he stated, adding that the community services council had also undergone an organisational restructuring recently.
Newly-appointed Head of Services Grace Naughton introduced the new websites, which she said reflected the ethos of the ACSC in treating everybody with respect, dignity and care.
The websites were set up to fully showcase all the services ACSC provides, which include services for older persons, Esker House domestic abuse services, childcare services, counselling services and a Community Employment Scheme.
The main Athlone Community Services umbrella website explains all of the services provided, and the dedicated Esker House website and childcare website, which provide much more detail on these services, can be reached from there.
ACSC's older persons services include a chiropody service, meals on wheels, and laundry service. Grace said in recent years ACSC put a larger emphasis on developing older persons activities and wellness services.
“The aim of all of these services is to provide an enhanced quality of life, and improve people's health and mobility. Our aim is to empower people to live happy, healthy and independent lives at home.”
Grace also highlighted the four childcare centres operated by the ACSC, Clonbrusk Childcare Centre, the Jolly Mariner Childcare Centre, Sarsfield Pre-school and Shannon Pre-school services. She said “All of our childcare staff are dedicated to providing safe, loving and enriching environment for children.”
She noted that the Esker House Domestic Abuse support services have developed significantly over the past five years.
“While our refuge service is vital to the community, there are a few other services I would like to point out. Our community support services provides support to women and children experiencing domestic violence but who are not accessing our refuge service, they are living in the community.
“Our Child and Youth service has really developed over the past two to three years. The service provides tailored support for each individual child that comes to our service. It is a targeted programme, and is producing life-changing results for children and young people.”
The ACSC has also offered training and awareness on domestic abuse to the public, community groups, businesses and local police.
Grace said, “The aim is to build a community that actively works against domestic violence and sends a clear message that it won’t be tolerated.
“We want to make sure that this website is accessible and discreet, so there are a number of features. The website has been translated into over 100 languages, there are exit safety features on it when you close out of the website, we have a chatbox so you can contact staff directly, and we have a link to our 24-hour freephone helpline.”
Grace thanked Ryan Hoey and Eimear Hannon of Neighbour Creative Agency and Deirdre Keon of FCDM for their work on developing the websites, the ACSC staff for providing the resources, and Athlone library for hosting the launch.
The new websites can be found at:
* www.athlonecommunityservicescouncil.com