Athy Community Family Resource Centre

18/06/2026

This Men's Health Week, we're highlighting the importance of connection, hope, strength and bravery. Strength isn't about facing everything alone. Sometimes, it's having the courage to talk, to listen, to reach out, or simply to take that first step towards better wellbeing.

MHI’s Connecting Men: Hope, Strength and Bravery webinar explores how meaningful connections can support mental health and reminds us that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

This year's theme, 'One Step at a Time', encourages us to focus on progress rather than perfection. Every conversation, every act of self-care, and every effort to connect with others is a step in the right direction.

Take a moment this week to check in with yourself and with the men in your life. A simple conversation can make a real difference.

Hear real stories from men about what courage, connection, and resilience means to them. An honest conversation about showing up, speaking out, and supporting each other.

16/06/2026

🌟 ADHD AWARENESS #3: UNDERSTANDING REJECTION SENSITIVE DYSPHORIA (RSD) 🌟

📢 Have you ever noticed your child becoming extremely upset by criticism, rejection, or feeling left out?

Many children and adults with ADHD experience Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) – an intense emotional response to real or perceived rejection, criticism, or failure.

While not everyone with ADHD experiences RSD, it is a common challenge that can have a significant impact on self-esteem and relationships.

💜 What Might RSD Look Like?

Children with RSD may:

💭 Worry excessively about what others think of them
💭 Become very upset by criticism, even when it is gentle or well-intended
💭 Feel devastated by mistakes or setbacks
💭 Avoid trying new things for fear of failure
💭 Take comments very personally
💭 Experience sudden emotional outbursts when feeling rejected
💭 Be highly sensitive to friendships and social situations

❤️ What Children May Be Thinking

"I've disappointed everyone."

"They don't like me anymore."

"I'm not good enough."

"No one wants me around."

Even when these thoughts are not true, they can feel very real to the child.

🌈 How Parents Can Help

✅ Validate their feelings without reinforcing negative beliefs
✅ Focus on effort rather than perfection
✅ Praise strengths and progress
✅ Help children challenge negative self-talk
✅ Teach coping and calm-down strategies
✅ Remind them that mistakes are part of learning

⭐ Remember

Children with ADHD often feel emotions deeply.

What may seem like a small setback to others can feel overwhelming to a child experiencing RSD.

With understanding, reassurance, and support, children can learn to manage these feelings and build confidence.

📅 Parent Plus Workshop: Wednesday, 17th June
📅 ADHD Parent Plus Programme: October 2026 (Expressions of interest opening soon!)

💜🌟

16/06/2026

This online or in-person workshop may be of interest to you or someone you know if you/they are on medication for mental health challenges. Please share with anyone you think might be interested.

14/06/2026

🌟 ADHD AWARENESS #2: ADHD IN GIRLS 🌟

📢 Did you know? ADHD can look different in girls than it does in boys.

As we look forward to our Parents Plus Workshop on Wednesday, 17th June and our ADHD Parents Plus Programme launching this October (we'll be taking names soon!), we're sharing some ADHD awareness facts to help families better understand and support their children.

💜 ADHD in Girls: Often Missed, Often Misunderstood

Many girls with ADHD go unnoticed because their symptoms can be less obvious than the hyperactive behaviours often associated with ADHD.

Girls may:
✨ Daydream or appear "away with the fairies"
✨ Be easily distracted but not disruptive
✨ Struggle with organisation and time management
✨ Experience anxiety or low self-esteem
✨ Work very hard to "mask" their difficulties
✨ Feel overwhelmed by emotions but keep them hidden

Because of this, many girls are diagnosed later than boys or may not be identified at all.

🌈 Remember:

ADHD is not a lack of ability, intelligence, or effort.

Girls with ADHD are often:
💡 Creative
💡 Caring
💡 Imaginative
💡 Energetic
💡 Resilient
💡 Full of potential

When we understand ADHD, we can provide the right support and help children thrive.

📅 Parents Plus Workshop: Wednesday, 17th June
📅 ADHD Parents Plus Programme: Starting October 2026 (Expressions of interest opening soon!)

💜🌟

12/06/2026

💜 A Huge Thank You to the Athy Community 💜

We would like to sincerely thank the wonderful community of Athy for your continued generosity and support. Time and time again, when we put out a request for donations, you respond with kindness and compassion, and we are incredibly grateful.

At present, we have everything we need and unfortunately cannot accept any further donations as we simply do not have the storage space to hold additional items.

As a small service, we provide assistance to clients in emergency situations when the need arises. However, due to limited capacity and resources, we are unable to offer this support on a regular basis.

We truly appreciate your understanding and your ongoing willingness to help those in need. Your generosity makes a real difference, and it is something we never take for granted.

Thank you for being such a caring and supportive community. ❤️

12/06/2026

🌟 ADHD AWARENESS #1: UNDERSTANDING ADHD IN CHILDREN 🌟

📢 ADHD is more than just being "busy" or finding it hard to sit still.

As we continue to build awareness ahead of our Parents Plus Workshop on Wednesday, 17th June and our ADHD Parents Plus Programme launching this October (we'll be taking names soon!), we're sharing some key information about ADHD in children.

💜 What Does ADHD Look Like?

Every child is different, but ADHD can affect attention, activity levels, impulse control, emotions, and organisation.

Some common signs include:

🧠 Difficulty staying focused on tasks
🧠 Being easily distracted by sights, sounds, or thoughts
🧠 Forgetting instructions or losing belongings
🧠 Finding it hard to stay organised
🧠 Fidgeting, moving, or struggling to sit still
🧠 Talking a lot or interrupting others
🧠 Acting before thinking
🧠 Big emotions and difficulty managing frustration

🌈 What ADHD Is NOT

❌ Laziness
❌ Bad behaviour
❌ Poor parenting
❌ A lack of intelligence

⭐ What ADHD CAN Bring

Children with ADHD are often:

💡 Creative thinkers
💡 Curious learners
💡 Energetic and enthusiastic
💡 Great problem-solvers
💡 Passionate about their interests
💡 Kind, funny, and resilient

❤️ Remember

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental difference. Children with ADHD often know what they need to do—but may need extra support to organise, focus, regulate emotions, and follow through.

With understanding, patience, and the right supports, children with ADHD can thrive.

📅 Parents Plus Workshop: Wednesday, 17th June
📅 ADHD Parents Plus Programme: October 2026 (Expressions of interest opening soon!)

💜🌟

12/06/2026

To book your FREE Space, contact Annmarie via whats App message 0851307487 or email [email protected]

11/06/2026

ACFRC will host a coffee morning on Tuesday, 16th June, to provide information and support for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in our local community. For more information, please see the contact details.

11/06/2026

Due to staff shortages in MABS, there will be no outreach clinics in our centre until Thursday 2nd July. In the meantime, anyone wishing to make an appointment can do so by contacting MABS office on 0818 07 2600 and they will be happy to schedule a suitable appointment.

09/06/2026

🚲 Request for Items – Can Anybody Help? 🚲

We have received a request and are hoping our amazing community might be able to help.

We are currently looking for:

🔹 2 x bikes (small adult size or suitable for older teenagers)
🔹 1 x toddler car seat

If you have any of these items in good condition and no longer need them, they would be greatly appreciated.

We can arrange collection, or items can be dropped to:

📍 Athy Community Family Resource Centre
Woodstock Street, Athy
R14 NN97

Please share this post to help us reach more people. Every act of kindness makes a difference. ❤️

Thank you for your continued support.