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Minister Joe O’Brien launches the Ukrainian Community Centre in Bray, Co Wicklow

  • a joyous celebration of its first year
  • an exhibition of the rich and vibrant culture of Ukraine
  • places the final piece of the ‘From Home to Home’ community jigsaw

Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien, has today (Thursday 29 June) officially launched Bray Area Partnership’s Ukrainian Community Centre at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Bray.

Minister O’Brien was welcomed with the traditional Ukrainian Korovai bread and a salt welcoming ceremony by members of the Ukrainian community.

Bray Area Partnership works closely with local organisations in Bray and North Wicklow to provide a space that is warm and welcoming, which provides information and support, across a wide range of social, educational and recreational group activities operating in this centre every week.

Speaking in Bray, Minister O’Brien said:

“I am delighted to be invited here today to mark this momentous occasion — the launch of this Ukrainian Community Centre and the joyous celebration of its first year, alongside an exhibition showcasing the rich and vibrant culture of Ukraine.

“As you reflect on the past year, you can take pride in the countless moments of joy, laughter, and cultural exchanges that have taken place within these walls, from a wide range of social, educational and recreational group activities operating in this centre every week.”

Minister O’Brien joined in the celebrations, finishing the ‘From Home to Home’ jigsaw and putting the last piece in place. This artwork was developed in 2023 by the Ukrainian community living in the Bray & North Wicklow area, supported by Bray Area Partnership. The jigsaw represents the experiences of Ukrainian children from different regions of Ukraine during their last year in Ireland.

The Minister concluded:

“I am really impressed by this symbolic ‘From Home to Home’ jigsaw. We have some extremely talented artists among us. The last piece of the jigsaw puzzle fittingly represents the final step in your journey; your journey toward unity and inclusiveness.

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who has contributed to the success of the Ukrainian Community Centre in Bray. I would also like to thank the community of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church for providing their hall to accommodate the Ukrainian Community.”

Notes

SICAP: Additional funding for people arriving from Ukraine

The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) has responsibility for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, or SICAP, our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. The aim of SICAP is to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality in Ireland through supporting communities and individuals using community development approaches, engagement and collaboration.

SICAP is delivered by 46 Local Development Companies (LDC’s) across 51 areas (Lots). In addition to the €44.3 million secured for the SICAP budget, the department secured further funding of €10 million in 2023 to ensure Local Development Companies may continue their work to support arrivals from Ukraine. This is in addition to an allocation of €5 million in 2022.

By the end of 2022, 5,331 Ukrainians, 18% of the overall SICAP caseload, received one-to-one supports through SICAP. In addition, SICAP supported 496 events targeting Ukrainians, with over 17,000 attendees. SICAP supported 205 Children and Family activities for Ukrainians with over 14,000 people participating.

It is acknowledged that the numbers of Ukrainians supported may be under-represented due to the urgency and nature of the humanitarian response (basic humanitarian needs) especially in the initial months.

SICAP staff have engaged with Ukrainians through a range of initiative, supports and interventions among them:

  • outreach and drop-in services
  • translation services
  • provision of English language supports
  • provision of information and referral to access other services

Bray Area Partnership

Bray Area Partnership is a local development company working in the greater Bray and North Wicklow areas to:

  • tackle disadvantage and social exclusion
  • increase equality of access to information, basic services, education, training and employment for marginalised individuals and groups
  • empower local people and communities to have a say on issues that affect them, identify their own needs and make positive change in their lives

BAP opened a Ukrainian Community Centre in July 2022 to provide a safe space for Ukrainian community to meet to avail of supports. The centre is resourced through SICAP support staff and TÚS.

There are currently up to 1,000 Ukrainian nationals living in Bray and North Wicklow area.

Significant integration work has been happening locally to include our Ukrainian friends and neighbours in activities and projects. One example is the development of our Ukrainian Community Centre which would not have been made possible without the support from a number agencies and local groups including:

  • Department of Rural and Community Development
  • Wicklow County Council
  • Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
  • Tusla
  • HSE
  • Healthy Ireland
  • Department of Social Protection
  • local schools
  • Kilruddery House and Gardens

The centre provides a number of social and recreational activities for example yoga, lady dance, parent and toddler group, children arts and music therapy; resilience and psychological programmes.

Future plans include a three-week summer project full of activities for children; and making use of our wonderful new garden, and to continue working creatively to support our Ukrainian community in the centre and across North Wicklow.

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