Newsletter 08 March 2025
Sunny Sunday
On a nice bright Sunday morning we had 26 volunteers out as well as 6 Transition Year Students.
Welcome to our newest volunteer Marzena who joined us on Sunday.
On his collection Pat collected 11 bags of litter plus 5 bags leaves from Rosewood.
He also collected 3 bags litter,1 bag of glass and 1 bag of vapes from litter picks during the week.
We all adjourned to The Plaza for a very welcome cuppa and chat.
At The Plaza we congratulated our volunteer Cillian O’Toole who was presented with his Silver Chief Scout Award this week. This is an amazing achievement and honour for Cillian and all of us in BTT are very proud of him.
Fantastic Transition Year Students
On Sunday Denis and 6 Transition Year Students did an incredible job on Station Road. They collected eight bags of leaves silt and twigs on Station Road.
Once again they did a fantastic job sent for recycling.
Please Help Us
We are hosting an event next Saturday 15th March and would really like if you could spare an Hour to come along.
Great start to the week
Monday morning Gay, Sunday and Bikunda spent the morning working on Westcliffe bed, cutting back some shrubs and removing leaves. They filled three tonne bags which were taken for recycling. This is a work in progress and Monday was a great day for this type of work.
Spring Colour
As the days brighten so too do the beautiful colours of Spring. The amazing colours in our allotment and on the railings around Ballincollig certainly make a lovely addition to our days. Well done to John and Anne for all their work on planting all of these wonderful plants.
Busy Tuesday
Tuesday morning was a busy one for Jimmy and the Team.
They started by sorting the rubbish that was collected on Sunday morning.
They also took 8 crates of bottles to the bottle bank. They then removed grit, leaves and weeds removed from the base of stone wall on Inniscarra Road.
Then they removed moss and weeds using our Weedhex machine on one stretch of road in Wyndham Downs.
Jimmy then sprayed the area with natural algae remover which is supposed to kill the moss spores.
7 plastic bags of leaves, weeds and moss collected. Great work by Jimmy Bikunda and Keith.
Cork Biodiversity Hub
Below are details of 2 very interesting and useful talks being held this month in the newly opened Cork Biodiversity Hub at The Powdermills.
Put them in your diary and spread the word.
Mid Week Works
On Wednesday Vince had a full crew. They did a great job cleaning and sweeping outside Glincool Estate.
They collected a lot of leaves etc collected, 3 ton bags filled.
They also brought a load of 50 plus bags and 1ton bag for recycling from our own allotment.
Bikunda, Tom,Keith,Sunday and Vince did a great job.
Watch this Space!!!!
This week work started on decorative carving on two trees in the Regional Park. The skill and creativity in carrying out this work is incredible and a sight to behold. Well done to Cork City Council Parks Department for this amazing initiative. These will be incredible when completed.
Busy Thursday
We had a full Team working on Thursday morning and they finished off the work they started last Thursday on the laneway behind Poulavone Pharmacy. They filled 6 tonne bags and 12 small bags of earthy weeds removed for recycling.
The work over the two mornings had made a huge difference.
Disrespectful People
The staff in The Regional Park do an incredible job maintaining and improving the environs of the Park for the close to a million people who use it every year. They have done tremendous work in planting bulbs etc. They put these signs up to try and help the bulbs grow undeterred. The vast majority of dogs owners adhere to the the request but there are those who clearly think that this notice does not apply to them. They leave their dogs run freely and are oblivious to what or where their dogs are and having a lead would be a chore!!!
Not to mention those who do clean up after their dogs but then throw the bag and contents in to the grass or the ditch despite there being numerous Dog Fouling bins and normal bins.
Some people have no sense of respect or pride in their Community
Call for Nominations of candidates to Cork City Older People’s Council
Cork City Council and the Cork Age Friendly City invite groups, organisations and individuals to submit expressions of interest
to join a panel of representatives that will make up the Cork City Older People’s Council.
The purpose of the Older Peoples Council is to provide an opportunity for older people in the City to come together, share concerns and experiences, and to inform the decision-making process of the Cork Age Friendly City Programme.
Cork Age Friendly will accept 12 – 20 representatives to as the voice of Cork’s older citizens in Cork City.
The Older Peoples Council will work alongside the Age Friendly City Alliance,
comprised of senior management representatives of the Health Service Executive, Cork City Council, An Garda Síochána, NGO’s, the transport, business, education sectors to deliver on agreed actions to make Cork a great place to grow old in.
Groups are encouraged and invited to nominate individuals they feel would be suitable to sit on the Older Peoples Council.
The nomination should include a brief biography of the nominee.
To nominate yourself or a member of your organisations please fill in the attached expression of interest form and return to:
Siubhán Mc Carthy, Corporate & Community Affairs, City Hall, Cork
Email: agefriendlycork@corkcity.ie
Tel: 021 4924560 or 086 0123479
For any further details or a paper copy of the Expression of Interest form please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Spring is very much in the air and there’s plenty going on for the hole family to get involved in over the coming weeks. Check out the Client Activities Calendar to be in the know about upcoming programmes – ask your Client Family Liaison for a password reminder!
Reminder: If you would like to discuss your support plan, contact us on (021) 428 9267 or email clientservices@cranncentre.ie.
Crann Crafties
Adults with a disability | Parents | March 12 & 26 | In-House at Crann
No matter your craft or hobby, create and connect with like-minded people!
Good Life Group
Adults with a Disability 55+ | Thurs March 11th 11am | In-House at Crann
Keep connected with this social group full of tea and lively conversation.
Sibshop & Sibfun
Siblings | Tues April 15th | 10:30am-12:30 | In-House at Crann | Booking Essential
A safe space for siblings to explore complex feelings. Ages 6-8 and 8+
Parent Peer Support & Education Group
Parents | Thurs March 20th | 10-11:30am | Monthly Meetings | In-House at Crann
Facilitated meetings & information to support parents of children with a disability
Easter Family Fun Day
All Client Families | April 17th 2-4pm | In-House at Crann | Booking Essential
Join us for an afternoon of Easter fun in the Playground
Skills on Wheels Easter Camp
Children with a Disability | April 14th-16th | In-House at Crann | Booking Essential
Wheelchair skills for greater independence & access.
Client Activities Calendar
Please contact your Client Liaison if you need a reminder of the Client Activities Calendar password.
Client & Family Liaison Team
Your Client & Family Liaison is the point of contact for your family within Crann. Our Client Liaison team works with you to determine your needs and identify goals. They work with Crann’s Services Team to develop personalised service plans for your family members.
If you’d like to review your supports at Crann, contact your Client & Family Liaison who can discuss changes in your circumstances and new programmes that might fit your changing needs.
Cork City FC confirm Crann as Charity Partner for 2025
We’re thrilled to have Cork City FC on board again! the team on and off the pitch have been wonderful supporters of Crann since 2023, and we’re excited for the collaboration to grow in 2025 – including generously donating dedicated home game tickets, supporting our annual Walk n’Roll campaign and participating in Social Capital programmes.
Co-Designing Crann’s Research Strategy: Crann’s 2nd Living Lab workshop with University College Cork
We recently hosted our 2nd Living Lab workshop with our community partners University College Cork. The session brought together parents of children and adults living with disability. As Lived Experience Experts, the workshop allowed the group share experiences, opinions and scenarios, based on their lived experience. Their feedback also evaluated the impact of the Crann 2Gen Model of Care which will inform Crann’s research focus into the future.
Nominate Crann for the Tesco Community Fund
Every 3 Months Tesco stores across the country nominate local charities to be the beneficiaries of it’s Community Fund – voted on by customers with the iconic blue tokens in store – and we’d love it if you nominated Crann at your local store!
Details on how to nominate us are at the link below – please use Evelyn Power as the contact epower@cranncentre.ie & 085 880 4679
Hannah’s Blog – The Importance of Fully Accessible Bathrooms for Full-Time Wheelchair Users
“It is fair to say that access to a bathroom is a human right. While a lot of bathrooms are labeled wheelchair accessible, when it comes to the design of accessibility it should not be a one size fits all approach.”
Playground Opening Times
Saturdays 1pm-3pm
Website booking essential. Alternative times are available on request to todonovan@cranncentre.ie
Reminder! If you’d like to visit the playground around your next appointment, ask a member of staff or call 021 428 9267
Subject to weather & subject to change. Available to client families. To begin your journey visit: https://cranncentre.ie/crann-
Join the Community at Crann!
We welcome new applications to join our community as our services have to be limited to clients & families of Crann.
Follow the link to begin the process https://cranncentre.ie/crann-
Times and dates presented in this newsletter are subject to change.