Community organisations in South and East Cork are gearing up to assist older and more isolated people to make the switch to digital television.  As the analogue signal for receiving TV will be switched off on 24th October, viewers who use an aerial will need to check if they need to upgrade their TV equipment so they will continue to receive TV after that date.  A new Community Outreach programme is targeting people who, for whatever reason, are less likely to make the change in time.  These people may be older, live in more isolated areas or possibly live alone.

Veronica Gubbins is the Digital Outreach Champion for East Cork, working with Avondhu Blackwater Partnership Ltd., who are co-ordinating the Programme with co-operation from South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD). She will involve a wide range of organisations in the area to help create greater awareness and understanding of the Digital Switchover in local communities across the east of the county.  Volunteers from these organisations will identify people who might have difficulty making the switch and will assist them to do so.

• Anyone who currently relies on an aerial to watch TV – approximately 250,000 households across Ireland – will need to take action before 24th October 2012 to retain access to TV services. Guidance on the Digital Switchover is available at http://www.goingdigital.ie/, through LoCall 1890 940 980 (English language) and 1890 940 970 (Irish language). Information booklets are also available in post offices and Citizen Information Centres throughout the county and an updated booklet will be sent to all households in the country later in the summer.
• Oct 24th 2012 is the official date of the completion of Digital Switchover in Ireland
• Information on digital switchover is available on 1890 940 980 (English language) and 1890 940 970 (Irish language). or http://www.goingdigital.ie/

Goody bags and good business!

The Cobh Catalyst Women in Business Networking Group organised a trip over to the Naval Base in Haulbowline for their first AGM last week.  It was a lovely evening and the trip over to the island gave everyone a chance to enjoy the splendid views of Cobh and the harbour area.  The group was met off the launch by Lt. Cmdr. Roberta O’Brien who acted as hostess for the event.

In 2008, Lt. Cmdr. O’Brien became Ireland’s first female commander of a naval vessel and was chosen as the overall Cork Woman of the Year last November at the inaugural C Women of the Year Awards.  Roberta organized a very interesting tour of the L.E. RÓISÍN for the group which was followed by a presentation on the work carried out and the services provided by the Irish Naval Service.

Before the tour, chairperson, Anne Moroney, extended a warm welcome to the 40 business women from the Cobh and Harbour area and paid special tribute to the members of the steering group, Sally Donegan, Kathleen Geary, Mary Mc Caffrey and Avril Quinn for their outstanding work during the year.  Anne also thanked Sinead Conroy of SECAD who is also a member of the steering group for all of her input and support. SECAD provides funding through the Equality for Women Initiative and are partners with Cobh & Harbour Chamber in the Catalyst project.

Lt Commander Roberta O’Brien with a group of Cobh business women at the recent Cobh Catalyst women in business networking group AGM.

info@cobhharbourchamber.ie or 021 4813612

21^st Century Communications

Introductory Training Course in Social Media kicks off in Midleton.

Festival organisers, volunteers and committee members from all over the SECAD region attended training courses in Social Media in Midleton last week.

This is the beginning of a series of training opportunities that SECAD is offering festival producers and volunteers in the region as part of the 100 Festivals initiative.

Festivals participating included Ceoltas Youghal, First Cut Youth Film Festival, Midleton Food and Drink Festival, Midleton Arts Project, Midleton Arts Festival, Glounthaune Events, Cork Week, Cork Summer Show, Youghal For All, Youghal Tourism, Carrigaline Business Association, Carrigaline St Patrick’s Festival, Cork Orienteering Events, Youghal Heritage Festival, Youghal Residence Association and Youghal SEDG.

The training was carried out by Moray Bresnihan, creator and founder of Mutantspace.com a hugely popular online arts co-operative for festivals and artists; it also runs an arts network and skills exchange with thousands of members.

The training was provided with support from South and East Cork Area Development Ltd through the Rural Development Programme (funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the National Development Plan).

If you would like to participate in the festival training programme or receive more information, please contact Rose-Anne Kidney at rakidney@secad.ie

Get Clicking!

The six categories featured in the SECAD Photography Competition with the ‘European Network for Rural Development’ include Rural Environment, Rural Employment, Rural Youth, Rural People, Rural Diversity and The Spirit of LEADER. Competition entries can feature any aspect of rural life in South and East Cork, from a setting sun over Youghal Bay or the ploughing of fields in Carrigtwohill.

The options within this competition are endless and with so many wonderful locations, people and rural areas within the region of South and East Cork it should be a fantastic.

All entries can be emailed to secadcompetitions@gmail.com and there will be no infringement on copyright.  Photos can be sent with a watermark, but if selected to go forward the photo has to be made freely available to SECAD to use as they wish within the regulations of the competition. SECAD may also display the 18 pictures selected at future events.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday the 16^th of May, Good Luck! Winning pictures will have to be either sent or re-sent on announcement at a minimum size of 500MD, 300 dpi resolution.

Walking tall at Fota with Tús Participant Frank O’Brien

Tús provides short-term quality and suitable working opportunities for people who are unemployed while at the same time carrying out beneficial work within communities. South and East Cork Area Development are the implementing body for Tús in the South and East Cork area and are working closely with communities and the unemployed to ensure that the programme runs successfully at local level. Overall responsibility for The Tús Community Workplace Initiative rests with the Department of Social Protection.

One of the newest participants in the East Cork area is Frank O’Brien and he works at Fota Wildlife Park, where his duties are varied. One thing for sure Frank will have a tremendous variety in his work, from feeding Giraffe’s to looking after Cheetah’s.

You would be amazed where Tús operates!

See original post/article

Community organisations in South and East Cork are gearing up to assist older and more isolated people to make the switch to digital television.  As the analogue signal for receiving TV will be switched off on 24th October, viewers who use an aerial will need to check if they need to upgrade their TV equipment so they will continue to receive TV after that date.  A new Community Outreach programme is targeting people who, for whatever reason, are less likely to make the change in time.  These people may be older, live in more isolated areas or possibly live alone.

Veronica Gubbins is the Digital Outreach Champion for East Cork, working with Avondhu Blackwater Partnership Ltd., who are co-ordinating the Programme with co-operation from South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD). She will involve a wide range of organisations in the area to help create greater awareness and understanding of the Digital Switchover in local communities across the east of the county.  Volunteers from these organisations will identify people who might have difficulty making the switch and will assist them to do so.

• Anyone who currently relies on an aerial to watch TV – approximately 250,000 households across Ireland – will need to take action before 24th October 2012 to retain access to TV services. Guidance on the Digital Switchover is available at http://www.goingdigital.ie/, through LoCall 1890 940 980 (English language) and 1890 940 970 (Irish language). Information booklets are also available in post offices and Citizen Information Centres throughout the county and an updated booklet will be sent to all households in the country later in the summer.
• Oct 24th 2012 is the official date of the completion of Digital Switchover in Ireland
• Information on digital switchover is available on 1890 940 980 (English language) and 1890 940 970 (Irish language). or http://www.goingdigital.ie/

Goody bags and good business!

The Cobh Catalyst Women in Business Networking Group organised a trip over to the Naval Base in Haulbowline for their first AGM last week.  It was a lovely evening and the trip over to the island gave everyone a chance to enjoy the splendid views of Cobh and the harbour area.  The group was met off the launch by Lt. Cmdr. Roberta O’Brien who acted as hostess for the event.

In 2008, Lt. Cmdr. O’Brien became Ireland’s first female commander of a naval vessel and was chosen as the overall Cork Woman of the Year last November at the inaugural C Women of the Year Awards.  Roberta organized a very interesting tour of the L.E. RÓISÍN for the group which was followed by a presentation on the work carried out and the services provided by the Irish Naval Service.

Before the tour, chairperson, Anne Moroney, extended a warm welcome to the 40 business women from the Cobh and Harbour area and paid special tribute to the members of the steering group, Sally Donegan, Kathleen Geary, Mary Mc Caffrey and Avril Quinn for their outstanding work during the year.  Anne also thanked Sinead Conroy of SECAD who is also a member of the steering group for all of her input and support. SECAD provides funding through the Equality for Women Initiative and are partners with Cobh & Harbour Chamber in the Catalyst project.

Lt Commander Roberta O’Brien with a group of Cobh business women at the recent Cobh Catalyst women in business networking group AGM.

info@cobhharbourchamber.ie or 021 4813612

21^st Century Communications

Introductory Training Course in Social Media kicks off in Midleton.

Festival organisers, volunteers and committee members from all over the SECAD region attended training courses in Social Media in Midleton last week.

This is the beginning of a series of training opportunities that SECAD is offering festival producers and volunteers in the region as part of the 100 Festivals initiative.

Festivals participating included Ceoltas Youghal, First Cut Youth Film Festival, Midleton Food and Drink Festival, Midleton Arts Project, Midleton Arts Festival, Glounthaune Events, Cork Week, Cork Summer Show, Youghal For All, Youghal Tourism, Carrigaline Business Association, Carrigaline St Patrick’s Festival, Cork Orienteering Events, Youghal Heritage Festival, Youghal Residence Association and Youghal SEDG.

The training was carried out by Moray Bresnihan, creator and founder of Mutantspace.com a hugely popular online arts co-operative for festivals and artists; it also runs an arts network and skills exchange with thousands of members.

The training was provided with support from South and East Cork Area Development Ltd through the Rural Development Programme (funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the National Development Plan).

If you would like to participate in the festival training programme or receive more information, please contact Rose-Anne Kidney at rakidney@secad.ie

Get Clicking!

The six categories featured in the SECAD Photography Competition with the ‘European Network for Rural Development’ include Rural Environment, Rural Employment, Rural Youth, Rural People, Rural Diversity and The Spirit of LEADER. Competition entries can feature any aspect of rural life in South and East Cork, from a setting sun over Youghal Bay or the ploughing of fields in Carrigtwohill.

The options within this competition are endless and with so many wonderful locations, people and rural areas within the region of South and East Cork it should be a fantastic.

All entries can be emailed to secadcompetitions@gmail.com and there will be no infringement on copyright.  Photos can be sent with a watermark, but if selected to go forward the photo has to be made freely available to SECAD to use as they wish within the regulations of the competition. SECAD may also display the 18 pictures selected at future events.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday the 16^th of May, Good Luck! Winning pictures will have to be either sent or re-sent on announcement at a minimum size of 500MD, 300 dpi resolution.

Walking tall at Fota with Tús Participant Frank O’Brien

Tús provides short-term quality and suitable working opportunities for people who are unemployed while at the same time carrying out beneficial work within communities. South and East Cork Area Development are the implementing body for Tús in the South and East Cork area and are working closely with communities and the unemployed to ensure that the programme runs successfully at local level. Overall responsibility for The Tús Community Workplace Initiative rests with the Department of Social Protection.

One of the newest participants in the East Cork area is Frank O’Brien and he works at Fota Wildlife Park, where his duties are varied. One thing for sure Frank will have a tremendous variety in his work, from feeding Giraffe’s to looking after Cheetah’s.

You would be amazed where Tús operates!

See original post/article

The SECAD Rural Transport Programme began in July 2008 and provides people living in the South & East Cork area with fixed route and door to door bus services.

The primary focus of the Transport Programme is to deliver an affordable and accessible community based transport system and to meet the needs of people who otherwise might not have access to public or private transport services.

SECAD’s Rural Transport Programme has a number of key objectives:

• To provide services that meet previously unmet transport needs.
• To connect people living in rural areas to their local service centre (village or town)
• To support and enable people living in rural communities to access services
• To combat social exclusion and improve individuals’ well-being and quality of life
• To achieve integration where possible with other transport and Social services.
• To sustain and regenerate rural communities
• To promote public transport as an alternative option for people who previously would not or could not use public transport.

East Cork Timetable:

• Knockadoon – Ballymacoda – Gortroe – Ballyvergan – Youghal (Every Friday)
• Knockadoon –Youghal –Midleton/Dungarvan (once monthly)
• Churchtown South – Ballylanders – Shanagarry Cross – Stack’s Cross – Ballintotis – Midleton (Every Thursday)
• Churchtown South – Youghal/Douglas (Once monthly)
• Mount Uniacke – Inch – Clasheel – Curraghboy – Youghal (Every Friday)
• Aghada Upper – Whitegate – Gyleen – Ballinrostig – Carriglusky – Barrykilla – Midleton (Every Thursday)

For further information please contact Ross Curley, Development Officer on 021-4613432 or email: rcurley@secad.ie

The Rural Social Scheme

SECAD has been operating the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) for the past year’s and currently has eight participants working on the scheme.

The (RSS) is aimed at low-income farmers and fishermen and people participating in the Scheme provide valuable that benefit rural communities.

The Department of Social Protection has overall responsibility for the Scheme, including eligibility criteria. At a local level, the various bodies that act as host groups to the participants are supported by SECAD and the Scheme is managed by Frances Burke.

What type of work is carried out by people participating in the Scheme?

The type of work carried out by RSS participants includes:

• Maintaining and enhancing various types of walking routes
• Energy conservation work for older people and those at risk of poverty
• Village and countryside enhancement projects
• Social care and care of older people
• Community care for pre-school and after-school groups
• Environmental maintenance work – maintenance and care-taking of community and sporting facilities
• Projects relating to not-for-profit cultural and heritage centres
• Community administration or clerical work
• Any other appropriate community based project identified during the course of the scheme

An example of one project that is nearing completion is the enhancement of a wall at the entrance to Ballymacoda village.

All the stonework was undertaken by RSS participant Paddy Murphy. Kay Cullen from Ballymacoda Historical Society approached SECAD for a RSS participant to work on the project. Cork County Council helped provide some of the materials needed. The project took six months to complete and full credit must be given to Paddy Murphy for the excellent attention to detail and man hours he gave to this project.

Before

After

Any other communities that might have a similar project to discuss please contact Frances Burke at 021 4613432

SECAD Green Your Community (Part 2)

Green Your Community is a training programme designed to empower and support communities in enhancing their natural environment. The programme is currently being delivered in South and East Cork and the final three workshops to be delivered in May and June are detailed below.

Managing Invasive Species

Learn about the most common invasive species in your community and how to successfully identify them. Training will include; creating a management plan and management and eradication techniques. The practical training session will allow you to get first-hand experience of identifying and managing Hima­layan Balsam.

Tuesday the 8^th of May 6.30 – 9pm (Midleton Park Hotel)

Wed the 9^th of May 6.30 – 9pm (Carrigaline Court Hotel)

Community Gardening

Learn the basic “do’s and don’ts” for creating a community garden project and explore the process of suc­cessfully initiating a community garden. Training will cover; the benefits and issues faced by com­munity gardening projects, as well as looking at a number of successful case studies from across Ireland.

Tuesday 22^nd of May 6.30 – 9pm (Midleton Park Hotel)

Wednesday 23^rd of May (Carrigaline Court Hotel)

Social Media Training for Community Groups

The Social Media Training module will outline how your group can benefit from social networking, in par­ticular Facebook and Flickr. Learn about the different options available, promoting group activities and how to set up your group account.

Tuesday the 12^th of June (Midleton Park Hotel)

Wednesday the 13^th of June (Carrigaline Court Hotel)

The SECAD Green Your Community Training programme is funded by South and East Cork Area Development Ltd through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the National Development Plan.

Tús Playing ball at Knockgriffin!

Tús provides short-term quality and suitable working opportunities for people who are unemployed while at the same time carrying out beneficial work within communities. South and East Cork Area Development are the implementing body for Tús in the South and East Cork area and are working closely with communities and the unemployed to ensure that the programme runs successfully at local level.

Tús Participant Tony Flynn with Tús Supervisors Joe Dilworth and Frank Geary at Knockgriffin Park Midleton looking at future marketing plans for Midleton FC.

Tús participant Tony Flynn really has the PR and Marketing moving in the right direction for Midleton Football Club.

Raising the profile of the ‘Magpies’ and working on sales and marketing for the Knockgriffin based outfit is a crucial part of the clubs survival.

Tony says “In my point of view Tús is an excellent opportunity to get back up and going, it isn’t an excuse just to hide you from the unemployment figures, it is a chance to get yourself sorted and a way to push yourself back into the work space”.

Tony is just one of 140 Tús participants in place, in the South and East Cork Area.

Midleton Men’s Shed is now open!

A men’s shed is a community based non-commercial organisation. This is a place where men of all ages can come together to share their skills and experience and work on meaningful projects.

Everyone is welcome to come along to men’s shed, for more information contact Stacey Quinlivan at SECAD on 021-4613432.

See original post/article

The SECAD Rural Transport Programme began in July 2008 and provides people living in the South & East Cork area with fixed route and door to door bus services.

The primary focus of the Transport Programme is to deliver an affordable and accessible community based transport system and to meet the needs of people who otherwise might not have access to public or private transport services.

SECAD’s Rural Transport Programme has a number of key objectives:

• To provide services that meet previously unmet transport needs.
• To connect people living in rural areas to their local service centre (village or town)
• To support and enable people living in rural communities to access services
• To combat social exclusion and improve individuals’ well-being and quality of life
• To achieve integration where possible with other transport and Social services.
• To sustain and regenerate rural communities
• To promote public transport as an alternative option for people who previously would not or could not use public transport.

East Cork Timetable:

• Knockadoon – Ballymacoda – Gortroe – Ballyvergan – Youghal (Every Friday)
• Knockadoon –Youghal –Midleton/Dungarvan (once monthly)
• Churchtown South – Ballylanders – Shanagarry Cross – Stack’s Cross – Ballintotis – Midleton (Every Thursday)
• Churchtown South – Youghal/Douglas (Once monthly)
• Mount Uniacke – Inch – Clasheel – Curraghboy – Youghal (Every Friday)
• Aghada Upper – Whitegate – Gyleen – Ballinrostig – Carriglusky – Barrykilla – Midleton (Every Thursday)

For further information please contact Ross Curley, Development Officer on 021-4613432 or email: rcurley@secad.ie

The Rural Social Scheme

SECAD has been operating the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) for the past year’s and currently has eight participants working on the scheme.

The (RSS) is aimed at low-income farmers and fishermen and people participating in the Scheme provide valuable that benefit rural communities.

The Department of Social Protection has overall responsibility for the Scheme, including eligibility criteria. At a local level, the various bodies that act as host groups to the participants are supported by SECAD and the Scheme is managed by Frances Burke.

What type of work is carried out by people participating in the Scheme?

The type of work carried out by RSS participants includes:

• Maintaining and enhancing various types of walking routes
• Energy conservation work for older people and those at risk of poverty
• Village and countryside enhancement projects
• Social care and care of older people
• Community care for pre-school and after-school groups
• Environmental maintenance work – maintenance and care-taking of community and sporting facilities
• Projects relating to not-for-profit cultural and heritage centres
• Community administration or clerical work
• Any other appropriate community based project identified during the course of the scheme

An example of one project that is nearing completion is the enhancement of a wall at the entrance to Ballymacoda village.

All the stonework was undertaken by RSS participant Paddy Murphy. Kay Cullen from Ballymacoda Historical Society approached SECAD for a RSS participant to work on the project. Cork County Council helped provide some of the materials needed. The project took six months to complete and full credit must be given to Paddy Murphy for the excellent attention to detail and man hours he gave to this project.

Before

After

Any other communities that might have a similar project to discuss please contact Frances Burke at 021 4613432

SECAD Green Your Community (Part 2)

Green Your Community is a training programme designed to empower and support communities in enhancing their natural environment. The programme is currently being delivered in South and East Cork and the final three workshops to be delivered in May and June are detailed below.

Managing Invasive Species

Learn about the most common invasive species in your community and how to successfully identify them. Training will include; creating a management plan and management and eradication techniques. The practical training session will allow you to get first-hand experience of identifying and managing Hima­layan Balsam.

Tuesday the 8^th of May 6.30 – 9pm (Midleton Park Hotel)

Wed the 9^th of May 6.30 – 9pm (Carrigaline Court Hotel)

Community Gardening

Learn the basic “do’s and don’ts” for creating a community garden project and explore the process of suc­cessfully initiating a community garden. Training will cover; the benefits and issues faced by com­munity gardening projects, as well as looking at a number of successful case studies from across Ireland.

Tuesday 22^nd of May 6.30 – 9pm (Midleton Park Hotel)

Wednesday 23^rd of May (Carrigaline Court Hotel)

Social Media Training for Community Groups

The Social Media Training module will outline how your group can benefit from social networking, in par­ticular Facebook and Flickr. Learn about the different options available, promoting group activities and how to set up your group account.

Tuesday the 12^th of June (Midleton Park Hotel)

Wednesday the 13^th of June (Carrigaline Court Hotel)

The SECAD Green Your Community Training programme is funded by South and East Cork Area Development Ltd through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the National Development Plan.

Tús Playing ball at Knockgriffin!

Tús provides short-term quality and suitable working opportunities for people who are unemployed while at the same time carrying out beneficial work within communities. South and East Cork Area Development are the implementing body for Tús in the South and East Cork area and are working closely with communities and the unemployed to ensure that the programme runs successfully at local level.

Tús Participant Tony Flynn with Tús Supervisors Joe Dilworth and Frank Geary at Knockgriffin Park Midleton looking at future marketing plans for Midleton FC.

Tús participant Tony Flynn really has the PR and Marketing moving in the right direction for Midleton Football Club.

Raising the profile of the ‘Magpies’ and working on sales and marketing for the Knockgriffin based outfit is a crucial part of the clubs survival.

Tony says “In my point of view Tús is an excellent opportunity to get back up and going, it isn’t an excuse just to hide you from the unemployment figures, it is a chance to get yourself sorted and a way to push yourself back into the work space”.

Tony is just one of 140 Tús participants in place, in the South and East Cork Area.

Midleton Men’s Shed is now open!

A men’s shed is a community based non-commercial organisation. This is a place where men of all ages can come together to share their skills and experience and work on meaningful projects.

Everyone is welcome to come along to men’s shed, for more information contact Stacey Quinlivan at SECAD on 021-4613432.

See original post/article

SECAD

The promoters renovated the original White Sea Line Ticket Office, the departure point for the 123 passengers from Cobh, which joined the ill-fated Titanic, in 1912 and turned it into a wonderful permanent exhibition.

The Titanic Experience tells the story of those who departed Cobh through sophisticated audio visual aids, giving a unique life-like narration of the story.

The promoters strive to provide a world class visitor and exhibition centre in the original White Star Line Building

SECAD funded the Renovation of the building as well as the generation of the short films including audio background sounds and  animation. The Titanic Experience is providing employment to eleven people directly and the exhibition has complimented the many other tourist attractions in Cobh.

See original post/article

SECAD

The promoters renovated the original White Sea Line Ticket Office, the departure point for the 123 passengers from Cobh, which joined the ill-fated Titanic, in 1912 and turned it into a wonderful permanent exhibition.

The Titanic Experience tells the story of those who departed Cobh through sophisticated audio visual aids, giving a unique life-like narration of the story.

The promoters strive to provide a world class visitor and exhibition centre in the original White Star Line Building

SECAD funded the Renovation of the building as well as the generation of the short films including audio background sounds and  animation. The Titanic Experience is providing employment to eleven people directly and the exhibition has complimented the many other tourist attractions in Cobh.

See original post/article

Back row L-R: PJ Dennehy, Derek Kiely, Gearóid Coholan, Mark O’Connell … Front row L-R: Joe Dilworth, Frances Burke (Tús Co-ordinator), Karen Power, Frank Geary

Putting the Tús back into Community!
What is Tús?
One of the most asked questions recently.
SECAD are fully committed to the Tús community work placement initiative with 140 Tús workers in place with groups all over the South and East Cork Region.
Tús is providing meaningful, quality employment over a twelve month period and tries to offer suitable working opportunities for the participant wherever possible, so that the Tús worker can get a meaningful positive placement and make a real contribution to the group to where he or she is assigned, but also getting the unique satisfaction that can be felt, just simply by doing a good job!

CEO of SECAD Mr Ryan Howard said “Tús is one of the most important new programmes that we have seen developing in recent years. It provides an opportunity for us to place people who are on the live register into a twelve month, long work placement. SECAD have been allocated 140 placements per year that we have spread right across the South and East Cork area. I believe that this is a really positive link with our other employment, community and enterprise supports”.

Golden Opportunity for Corks’ talented Young Filmmakers. Lights Action Sound! It was all action during Easter for 60 young filmmakers who took part in a two day adventure into filmmaking. First Cut! Youth Film Project provided Young Filmmakers’ Workshops in 5 communities in the Cork Harbour area of the county. These free workshops took place in Youghal, Midleton, Glanmire, Ballincollig and Cobh.
Places were limited to 12 in each centre and there was no charge to participants thanks to funding from The Arts Office of Cork County Council and South and East Cork Area Development Ltd, (SECAD). Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback. “An amazing adventure with excellent teachers”, “a golden opportunity” and “such a good, intense & exciting experience” During the two days young people learnt about the world of film and build basic to advanced level skills under the guidance of working professionals from Cork Film Centre. These budding young filmmakers from across Cork will gather together for a Gala screening of their work at Cork County Hall on Friday April 27th.
This exciting showcase event for young filmmakers is an integral part of the First Cut! Film Project and will be hosted again by Cork County Council in the Vertigo Suite in County Hall.

“Am I Ready; Am I Right?” ‘Start your own Business’
SECAD is currently running a programme called “Am I Ready; Am I Right?” in Youghal, Midleton and Carrigaline. Since the down turn in the economy self-employment has become a real option which many people wish to explore. In order to respond to this need SECAD has been running this very popular programme. It consists of a five week (two three hour sessions a week) “Start Your Own Business” course, followed by ten hours of individual mentoring in a range of specialised fields such as legal, sales, marketing, use of the web, human resources or accounts and taxation.
The five week course has been very popular. In Autumn 2011 SECAD ran three courses all of which filled with participants very quickly. The feedback was extremely positive. The course itself places a lot of emphasis on Business Planning and participants are encouraged to put together a comprehensive plan for their business idea. All aspects of business development are covered, assessment of the commercial viability of the business, legal, financial, networking, marketing and other aspects of setting up your own business. For those who wish to take it there is a FETAC level 5 attached to this course.
The Spring courses started in Youghal, Midleton and Carrigaline in April 2012 but if you are interested in starting your own business it is worthwhile putting your name down with SECAD who may run similar courses in the future. Contact: Gertrude Cotter, SECAD 021-4613432.

 
SECAD Green Your Community
SECAD Green Your Community is a training programme designed to empower and support communities in South and East Cork in enhancing their natural environment. Below is a brief summary of the training modules provided: This week we feature the first two items of six areas covered. We will have the next two items related to green your community next week.
1. Introduction to SECAD Green Your Community
Learn how to establish a successful community group and troubleshoot some of the problems frequently faced by community groups. Training will also include; Health & Safety considerations, using local media to increase the profile of your group in the wider community and organising successful events in the community.
2. Coastal Protection and Coastcare
This training session will demonstrate how you can protect and care for your coastline. Training will include; coastal erosion, coastal biodiversity, marine litter, coastal clean ups and the opportunities for establishing a Coastcare group. Also learn about the importance of sand dunes and gain hands-on experience of Marram Grass planting on the practical training session.

See original post/article

Back row L-R: PJ Dennehy, Derek Kiely, Gearóid Coholan, Mark O’Connell … Front row L-R: Joe Dilworth, Frances Burke (Tús Co-ordinator), Karen Power, Frank Geary

Putting the Tús back into Community!
What is Tús?
One of the most asked questions recently.
SECAD are fully committed to the Tús community work placement initiative with 140 Tús workers in place with groups all over the South and East Cork Region.
Tús is providing meaningful, quality employment over a twelve month period and tries to offer suitable working opportunities for the participant wherever possible, so that the Tús worker can get a meaningful positive placement and make a real contribution to the group to where he or she is assigned, but also getting the unique satisfaction that can be felt, just simply by doing a good job!

CEO of SECAD Mr Ryan Howard said “Tús is one of the most important new programmes that we have seen developing in recent years. It provides an opportunity for us to place people who are on the live register into a twelve month, long work placement. SECAD have been allocated 140 placements per year that we have spread right across the South and East Cork area. I believe that this is a really positive link with our other employment, community and enterprise supports”.

Golden Opportunity for Corks’ talented Young Filmmakers. Lights Action Sound! It was all action during Easter for 60 young filmmakers who took part in a two day adventure into filmmaking. First Cut! Youth Film Project provided Young Filmmakers’ Workshops in 5 communities in the Cork Harbour area of the county. These free workshops took place in Youghal, Midleton, Glanmire, Ballincollig and Cobh.
Places were limited to 12 in each centre and there was no charge to participants thanks to funding from The Arts Office of Cork County Council and South and East Cork Area Development Ltd, (SECAD). Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback. “An amazing adventure with excellent teachers”, “a golden opportunity” and “such a good, intense & exciting experience” During the two days young people learnt about the world of film and build basic to advanced level skills under the guidance of working professionals from Cork Film Centre. These budding young filmmakers from across Cork will gather together for a Gala screening of their work at Cork County Hall on Friday April 27th.
This exciting showcase event for young filmmakers is an integral part of the First Cut! Film Project and will be hosted again by Cork County Council in the Vertigo Suite in County Hall.

“Am I Ready; Am I Right?” ‘Start your own Business’
SECAD is currently running a programme called “Am I Ready; Am I Right?” in Youghal, Midleton and Carrigaline. Since the down turn in the economy self-employment has become a real option which many people wish to explore. In order to respond to this need SECAD has been running this very popular programme. It consists of a five week (two three hour sessions a week) “Start Your Own Business” course, followed by ten hours of individual mentoring in a range of specialised fields such as legal, sales, marketing, use of the web, human resources or accounts and taxation.
The five week course has been very popular. In Autumn 2011 SECAD ran three courses all of which filled with participants very quickly. The feedback was extremely positive. The course itself places a lot of emphasis on Business Planning and participants are encouraged to put together a comprehensive plan for their business idea. All aspects of business development are covered, assessment of the commercial viability of the business, legal, financial, networking, marketing and other aspects of setting up your own business. For those who wish to take it there is a FETAC level 5 attached to this course.
The Spring courses started in Youghal, Midleton and Carrigaline in April 2012 but if you are interested in starting your own business it is worthwhile putting your name down with SECAD who may run similar courses in the future. Contact: Gertrude Cotter, SECAD 021-4613432.

 
SECAD Green Your Community
SECAD Green Your Community is a training programme designed to empower and support communities in South and East Cork in enhancing their natural environment. Below is a brief summary of the training modules provided: This week we feature the first two items of six areas covered. We will have the next two items related to green your community next week.
1. Introduction to SECAD Green Your Community
Learn how to establish a successful community group and troubleshoot some of the problems frequently faced by community groups. Training will also include; Health & Safety considerations, using local media to increase the profile of your group in the wider community and organising successful events in the community.
2. Coastal Protection and Coastcare
This training session will demonstrate how you can protect and care for your coastline. Training will include; coastal erosion, coastal biodiversity, marine litter, coastal clean ups and the opportunities for establishing a Coastcare group. Also learn about the importance of sand dunes and gain hands-on experience of Marram Grass planting on the practical training session.

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South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD) are inviting budding photographers from all over the South and East Cork area to participate in an EU-wide photography competition, which captures the beauty of Rural Europe.
The competition is organised by the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD), the ‘Images of Rural Europe’ competition is open to all professional and amateur photographers who are resident in one of the 27 EU Member States. All photos submitted will be considered for inclusion in a major EU ‘Travelling’ Exhibition’ during 2012/2013. According to Ross Curley, development officer with SECAD “South and East Cork is full of diverse landscapes, magnificent scenery and a wonderful variation of rural businesses, rural services and some fantastic rural areas. This competition is an opportunity for our talented photographers in the South and East Cork region to show us some of their fantastic images and at the same time show how the rural mixes into today’s modern Ireland in such a unique way. This competition is a fantastic way of capturing the very essence of Rural Ireland in the 21st Century and is a means of celebrating the beautiful diversity of the South and East Cork area as well as celebrating the fantastic landscape that is Rural Europe”.

The six categories featured in the completion include Rural Environment, Rural Employment, Rural Youth, Rural People, Rural Diversity and The Spirit of LEADER. Competition entries can feature any aspect of rural life in South and East Cork, from a setting sun over Youghal Bay or the ploughing of fields in Carrigtwohill.
The options within the structure of this competition are endless and with so many wonderful locations, people and rural areas within the region of South and East Cork it should be a fantastic entry.

See original post/article

South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD) are inviting budding photographers from all over the South and East Cork area to participate in an EU-wide photography competition, which captures the beauty of Rural Europe.
The competition is organised by the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD), the ‘Images of Rural Europe’ competition is open to all professional and amateur photographers who are resident in one of the 27 EU Member States. All photos submitted will be considered for inclusion in a major EU ‘Travelling’ Exhibition’ during 2012/2013. According to Ross Curley, development officer with SECAD “South and East Cork is full of diverse landscapes, magnificent scenery and a wonderful variation of rural businesses, rural services and some fantastic rural areas. This competition is an opportunity for our talented photographers in the South and East Cork region to show us some of their fantastic images and at the same time show how the rural mixes into today’s modern Ireland in such a unique way. This competition is a fantastic way of capturing the very essence of Rural Ireland in the 21st Century and is a means of celebrating the beautiful diversity of the South and East Cork area as well as celebrating the fantastic landscape that is Rural Europe”.

The six categories featured in the completion include Rural Environment, Rural Employment, Rural Youth, Rural People, Rural Diversity and The Spirit of LEADER. Competition entries can feature any aspect of rural life in South and East Cork, from a setting sun over Youghal Bay or the ploughing of fields in Carrigtwohill.
The options within the structure of this competition are endless and with so many wonderful locations, people and rural areas within the region of South and East Cork it should be a fantastic entry.

See original post/article