Voting is now open for Clubbing In 2024
Community groups and clubs are the lifeblood of Waterford, creating a vibrant atmosphere that makes our locality a fantastic place to live. After careful consideration by our impartial judging panel, the top four finalists have been selected. Now, it's up to you, the public, to decide who will win a share of the total prize fund of €4,500 in the Clubbing In 2024 competition, proudly sponsored by Waterford Credit Union and Cairde Credit Union.
- There will be one winner from the city and one from the county - each winning €2,000.
- Runners-up (one from the city and one from the county) will receive €250 each.
Without further ado, here are your top 4 finalists…
- City: Assisi House
- City: Outrage Foroige Club Waterford
- County: A Team Dungarvan
- County: Ballyduff Upper Badminton Club
More about the Finalists
Assisi House
Assisi House is a day center for the elderly, offering a warm and inviting environment for those who may be struggling with loneliness or isolation. It fosters friendships among its visitors and provides snacks, a two-course meal, and entertainment at a very low cost. The staff at Assisi House are exceptional, genuinely taking the time to understand the personalities and needs of everyone who comes through the door. The center also offers respite to the families of those who use its services, allowing them to attend to essential tasks, such as shopping or work.
Assisi House, Airmount, Dominics Place, Waterford City.
Outrage Foroige Club Waterford
This youth group is full of amazing young people, and this funding would help enhance their experience with Foroige and provide supplies for the upcoming club year, which they have been actively fundraising for. Over the past year, the club has been very active in the local community in Waterford City; they have built a community pond at the back of Butler's Community Centre and organized quiz nights with the homeless to combat exclusion in the community. A grant of €2,000 would have a significant impact on this small club.
Outrage Foroige Club Waterford, St Johns Park, Ballytruckle, Waterford.
A Team Dungarvan
The Dungarvan group, "The A Team," was recently established in April of this year. The group launched by collaborating with Dungarvan Shopping Centre to introduce quiet hours from 10-12 on Sundays, which included promoting sunflower lanyard awareness, dimming lights, and turning off music to create a more accommodating shopping experience for families with individuals who have additional needs. They were fortunate to receive support from Lámh, who provided an accessible video of the launch.
At the launch, a weekly social group for all abilities, aged 9 and above, was established with the support of Barnardos, who provided their facility for the group. The group is at full capacity every week and has a waiting list, with the children actively engaging, socialising, and enjoying their time. Additionally, the group organised a summer surf camp in collaboration with Bonmahon Surf School and Waterford Area Partnership, which was also fully booked with 16 children attending three sessions.
A monthly art therapy session led by an art therapist is held at Eason Dungarvan, with the store's support, and has been highly successful, with the next session scheduled in the coming weeks. The group also hosts monthly family coffee mornings at Starbucks Dungarvan, which supports the quiet hours initiative. The group has ambitious plans to further promote an inclusive and integrative society within the local community and has already held an initial meeting with Waterford County Council about rolling out the sunflower initiative across the county and collaborating with other volunteer groups.
The core focus of the group is supporting individuals with additional needs and fostering an inclusive society for all. With additional funding, they aim to expand their weekly groups and establish a broader social group, allowing them to rent space and provide these activities at minimal cost to parents and the A Team family. The group is thriving and is grateful for the dedication of the local community in supporting integration and inclusivity.
A Team Dungarvan, Carrigeen, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.
Ballyduff Upper Badminton Club
The group is part of a small rural community in West Waterford, where it is fantastic to have badminton available for both juveniles and adults. Normally, locals from this village have to travel to participate in sports, so having badminton locally is a valuable opportunity.
The group aims to further grow its membership, and part of the funding would be used to offer free taster training sessions to encourage more people to join. The club also tries to provide racquets for children to use at the facility, as these can be expensive and purchasing them might be a barrier for some families. Additional funding would help in purchasing a few new racquets, making the sport more accessible to everyone.
The facility also requires relining, as it has been 15 years since this was last done - a very costly undertaking. There is also a need to replace the court fixtures, specifically the poles that hold the nets, as the current ones are old, in poor condition, and difficult to move. This funding opportunity could make a significant difference to the club., and the group appreciates the chance to enter the competition.
Ballyduff Upper Badminton Club, Sports Hall , Ballyduff Upper, Waterford.
You can vote below or click HERE
The closing date for the public vote is Thursday, September 5th, at 12 noon. The overall winners will be announced on Friday, September 6th.
Waterford Credit Union and Cairde Credit Union proudly invest Community Funds in their local communities throughout the year. Visit their websites, www.waterfordcu.ie and www.cairdecu.ie for more information.
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