Erris Family & Community Support Centre

Erris Family & Community Support Centre In November 2022, Tusla CEO Bernard Gloster announced multi-annual core funding for a Family & Community Support Centre for the Erris area.
(1)

Erris Family & Community Support Centre has been established as a result of a successful community-led campaign over the course of three years, running from 2019-2022. In March of 2023 the Steering Committee completed incorporation as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) and set-up as a Voluntary Board of Directors. In July 2023 the Board commenced a recruitment process for a Co-ordinator. In Dece

mber 2023 a full-time Co-ordinator took up post to develop and co-ordinate this new resource in the area. Our Vision:
An inclusive, sustainable and independent community that is self-sufficient and provides a supportive environment to all those living in the area. Our Mission:
Use a family support and community development approach to ensuring the physical and social infrastructure and resources necessary to facilitate access to appropriate support and services for the community. Our Values:
Equality and a commitment to ensuring fairness
Empowerment and a commitment to ensuring the committee is rooted in empowering ways of working
Inclusion and a commitment to ensuring accessibility
Integrity and a commitment to acting in an honest and open way
Participation and a commitment to collective action and collective outcomes. Our Objectives:
To use a combined community development and family support approach in working with the local community
To ensure the necessary physical and social infrastructure is in place to support the local community
To facilitate appropriate family supports and services for the community
To facilitate and promote peer-led supports
To engage, empower build capacity and address social isolation and exclusion

Erris FCSC is core funded by Tusla, The Child & Family Agency under the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration & Youth. The organisation is governed by a Voluntary Board of Directors;
Rosaleen Lally
Margaret Heffron
Dervilia Cullotty
Rosemarie Mangan
Paddy Joe Deane
Teresa Gaughan
Ferdia O'Mongain

🌈 A Beautiful Tribute Over the month of May, Katie Hefferon and her family completed a 5km challenge in loving memory o...
12/06/2026

🌈 A Beautiful Tribute

Over the month of May, Katie Hefferon and her family completed a 5km challenge in loving memory of her cousin Ryan.

The memorial fundraiser was a huge success and the family raised €5,170 for Rainbows Ireland.

Their efforts helped to raise both awareness and funds for this important charity that supports children and young people across the country who have experienced separation or loss.

The funds raised will go to Rainbows Ireland nationally which in turn helps them to support the delivery of Rainbows peer support groups in places like Erris.

We plan to roll out the peer support programme in the Autumn and have a wonderful group of volunteers now trained as facilitators and eager to put their training to use.

Katie, with Ryan’s mum Marian, and their family finished their May 5km challenge by climbing Stairway to Heaven, a very special way to mark what would have been Ryan’s 30th birthday. 🥰

Congratulations and thank you on this special fundraiser! 🙏

👣 ✨ BABY REFLEXOLOGY We recently hosted a Baby Reflexology Course delivered by Chloe from Align by Chloe.It was lovely t...
09/06/2026

👣 ✨ BABY REFLEXOLOGY

We recently hosted a Baby Reflexology Course delivered by Chloe from Align by Chloe.

It was lovely to be able bring mums and babies together to learn gentle baby reflexology techniques that can support issues such as wind, constipation, unsettled sleep, congestion and support bonding & attachment.

The course provided mums with basic reflexology techniques and it also allowed them a space to connect with each other and their little ones through nurturing touch.

The early years are so important, and opportunities like these are vital to create supportive spaces, and reminds us the vital role of community in overall family wellbeing.

Thank you to everyone who took part and to Chloe for reaching out to us, this was a really lovely project and we are glad to have been part of it.🌿🥰

🥳 Volunteer Appreciation PostAs we are nearing the end of we want to acknowledge the huge contribution of our voluntee...
22/05/2026

🥳 Volunteer Appreciation Post

As we are nearing the end of we want to acknowledge the huge contribution of our volunteers.

💪 This Centre is built on the dedication, time, energy, commitment and care of volunteers from across the community.

ℹ️ We are run by a Voluntary Board of Management but the role of our Board extends far beyond management. Despite many responsibilities as officers, and sitting on sub-committees our Board members lend additional time and support across many community projects and initiatives, as well as taking the time to train, learn and build on their skills.

🥰We are also fortunate to have lots of support outside of the Board, from people assisting with our Food Appeal, Sunset Walk, Awareness events, Parent and Baby Group and new Rainbows programme.

🙏To anyone who has given their time freely to the Project for the benefit of the local area, be it for one hour or 20- we thank you for helping us to support and empower the community.

📣 Period Poverty Awareness Week took place from the 11th to the 17th of May, we raised awareness of menstrual health and...
22/05/2026

📣 Period Poverty Awareness Week took place from the 11th to the 17th of May, we raised awareness of menstrual health and period dignity, reaching out to the local secondary schools and offering a talk to female students.

👩🏻Erris Women's Shed kindly welcomed us to one of their meetings & the members helped assemble kits to be shared in the schools. The kits included tampons, pads, chocolate and a small self care card.

Our Family Support Worker, Danielle delivered talks in St. Brendan's College, Gaelcholaiste Chomain, Our Lady's Secondary School and in An Cosan.

The talks covered various age groups from 1st years up to 6th years and a total of 221 students attended the talks and received kits. 🤗 And a final total of 300 kits were distributed throughout the week. 🛍️

There was great engagement and conversations had with the students around the topic of period poverty and menstrual health. Thank you to them for their participation and to the teachers and workers who hosted us for the talks. 🥰

We also wish to thank Mayo County Council community section for providing use with the products to take part in this campaign. 🙏

If any primary schools or local organisations would like to make products available in their spaces, please get in touch we have more available to be distributed.

Saint Brendan's College, Belmullet.
Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet
Gaelcholáiste Chomáin
Erris Youth Service

🙋‍♀️ ARE YOU PARENTING A NEURODIVERGENT CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON?As the school year is coming to an end, many parents of ne...
19/05/2026

🙋‍♀️ ARE YOU PARENTING A NEURODIVERGENT CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON?

As the school year is coming to an end, many parents of neurodivergent children & young people may be feeling exhausted, proud, relieved, confused or overwhelmed.
Maybe all of these at once, or none of them!

Before we head into the summer months, we’re inviting parents and caregivers to come together for the first meeting of a new Parent Peer Support Group. 🤗

This group will be for those parenting a child or young person who is neurodivergent.

This will be a relaxed, welcoming space to connect with others who understand the unique joys, challenges, highs & worries of parenting neurodivergent children. ☕️ 🫶🏼

Our first meeting will be an informal meet up, to chat, connect and explore what kind of support would be most helpful for the group going forward. There’s no pressure, no right answers, and no need to have everything figured out. 🥰

This is an opportunity for support and also to be part of shaping the group.

We hope that this space can be one of support, information, advocacy and empowerment- the first step is to start so please join us on 16th June, 7-8.30pm at the IWA Centre.

This is funded by the Parent Peer Support Fund under Pobal & Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

Saint Brendan's College, Belmullet.
Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet
Gaelcholáiste Chomáin
Erris Youth Disability Network- EYDN
Belmullet Autism Friendly Town
Erris Youth Service
Mayo Child & Family Support Networks
Mayo Public Participation Network - PPN
Mayo County Childcare Committee
ÁIRC - Supporting Children with Disabilities in Mayo
Mayo Autism Camp
Mayo CYPSC

👋 Hello, How Are You? Day 💬 Thank you to everyone who participated in our wellness event today!We appreciate the service...
15/05/2026

👋 Hello, How Are You? Day 💬

Thank you to everyone who participated in our wellness event today!

We appreciate the services, supports and businesses that attended to share information on what they do and promote various options to improve your health and wellbeing. 🌱

A special thank you to our wonderful facilitators, Beatha, Agatha and Ged! Amazing feedback from participants of the classes and everyone really benefited from taking some time for themselves and enjoying some relaxation and calm. 🧘‍♀️

A great venue and hospitality at Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet as always! 🙏

The event was part of Mental Health Ireland’s campaign promoting community connection, and open conversations about mental health.

If you need information, advice or support please get in touch. 🥰

💜 GO PURPLE 💜 We are starting the day marking Day raising awareness of domestic abuse and the supports and services av...
15/05/2026

💜 GO PURPLE 💜

We are starting the day marking Day raising awareness of domestic abuse and the supports and services available.

This is an initiative of An Garda Síochána and we are supporting the campaign as proud members of the Community Response to Domestic Abuse, Western Regional Network.

As part of the day, we will be joining local Gardaí in town with an information stand, please stop and say hello if you are passing and pick up some information.

We will have the leaflet available. This is a really helpful resource in understanding the steps you can take if you are experiencing domestic abuse or coercive control.

Thanks to our friends in the IWA for supporting the campaign! 🥰

If you need support please contact Safe Ireland Mayo on 0949025409.

💬 HELLO, HOW ARE YOU?👋 We hope to see some of you at our Wellness Event this Friday, 15th May 11.30am-2.30pm in Áras Ini...
13/05/2026

💬 HELLO, HOW ARE YOU?

👋 We hope to see some of you at our Wellness Event this Friday, 15th May 11.30am-2.30pm in Áras Inis Gluaire,.

The event is part of Mental Health Ireland’s Hello, How Are You? Campaign.

We are delighted to have such a great mix of stands attending;

🚭 Advisor Brenda McNicholas
👨‍⚕️ Basic Heath checks with Lavelle's Pharmacy
🫶🏼 North West STOP Counselling Service
🌱Slàinte Healthfood Store
👣 - reflexology
🍶SaltagusAnam-homeopathy
🤗Flourish Social Prescribing Mayo

Come along and say HELLO!

Or join one of the FREE workshops on offer!

🧘‍♀️ Some places available for Yoga 1.15-2pm

🐚 Some places also for Wellness Walk 12-2pm

ALL WELCOME!

For more information or bookings contact Leanne on 0870670989.

📢 PERIOD POVERTY AWARENESS WEEK 🗓️ 11th-17th May As Period Poverty Awareness Week begins, we’re really glad to be welcom...
11/05/2026

📢 PERIOD POVERTY AWARENESS WEEK

🗓️ 11th-17th May

As Period Poverty Awareness Week begins, we’re really glad to be welcomed into local secondary schools to support conversations and education about menstrual health.

Today we begin in Saint Brendan's College, chatting with students from each of the six years in the school.

Many young women still miss school, feel embarrassed, or struggle in silence because they don’t have access to period products or reliable information. Periods are a normal part of life — no one should feel ashamed or unsupported because of them.

Period poverty is not alone financial, it is lack of access and lack of education and support.
This week is about education, dignity, and access to hygiene products.

By creating spaces to talk, listen, and learn, we can help break any stigma and ensure that every student has the products, information and support they need.

We thank Mayo County Council for providing us with the products for this week’s initiative in schools. And a special thank you to the wonderful women from Erris Women’s Shed who helped us to make up the period kits. We had a great chat with them last week and really enjoyed their company! 🥰

By all working together 250 kits will be distributed to young women in the area this week.

We have lots more hygiene products and are happy to make these resources available to other local groups, services and schools.

Please get in touch if you’d like to make products easily available in your setting and provide some simple information on menstrual heath. 🩸 🛍️


🐚 WELLNESS WALK- The Tide of ChangeCalling all walkers, nature lovers, or anyone who might just like to try something ne...
08/05/2026

🐚 WELLNESS WALK- The Tide of Change

Calling all walkers, nature lovers, or anyone who might just like to try something new.

This guided walk will be peaceful and restorative. Taking some time to relax, pause and bring calm on one of our beautiful beaches.

This session is part of our wider Wellness event for Hello, How Are You Day. 💬

Transportation provided.

There is no fee but registration is essential.

Just fill in your info and select WELLNESS WALK from the options. ⬇️

*please note soundbath and yoga classes are full.

https://forms.office.com/e/hLs9jSZCVv

Address

C/o Irish Wheelchair Centre, Logmore, Belmullet
Co. Mayo

Telephone

+353870670989

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Erris Family & Community Support Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category