Co-operative Housing News - Autumn 2020 - Co-operative Housing Ireland
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Co-operative Housing News Autumn 2020
2 Co-operative Housing News Autumn 2020
Dear Member,
Welcome to the Autumn edition
of Co-operative Housing News.
We’re in unprecedented times, Covid-19 has left a
permanent mark on our lives and continues to do
so. I would like to express my heartfelt sympathies
to families who have lost loved ones and best wishes
to those recovering from the virus, we are all here
to support you in whatever way we can.
Over the past few months, I have heard stories of
how our Members have supported each other, held
community events, and even hosted fundraisers for
others in need. It’s truly remarkable to see the level
of engagement in these initiatives, all while following
HSE guidelines. These acts embody community –
where we support each other – and demonstrate
how we live out co-operative values and principles.
In this issue we wanted to highlight how our
Members are living out their lives during Covid. As
I’m sure you can understand, it is impossible to hear
from everyone, but I would encourage you to send in
your stories to us (admin@cooperativehousing.ie
or through your Housing Officer) and we can include
them in future newsletters and on our website.
On your behalf I would also like to pay tribute to the
Co-operative Housing Ireland team. In particular, I
would like to mention the Housing Officers, Building
Officers and Childcare staff, who have managed, in
extremely difficult circumstances, to keep services
running during the pandemic. They are our frontline
workers.
Stay safe, check-in on your neighbour and other
Members, and let us know if you need help.
Best wishes,
Kieron Brennan
CEO
Co-operative Housing News Autumn 2020 3 Community celebrates a special birthday in Wexford Celebrations were in the air on 12th May at Willow View in Castlebridge, Co. Wexford where some Members of the Slaney Co-operative came together at a distance to mark the birthday of Seán Murphy, their oldest neighbour. Members of the estate gathered in solidarity for a community clap ringing in Seán’s 80th. The Members generously organised a card signed by everyone in Willow View with an enclosed gift for Seán. Children got creative for the occasion, decorating the estate in colourful bunting, while adults blew up balloons to add to festivities. Seán’s daughter Margaret, who lives locally, organised a cake for her dad featuring a wordsearch, one of his favourite pastimes. Seán has been an active and well-regarded resident of Willow View and Member of the Slaney Co-operative since 2018, an estate of ten households which is home to mostly young families. He has had to be cautious during restrictions, but that hasn’t prevented him from keeping active. A lover of nature and gardening, Seán has kept engaged at home by growing vegetables such as tomatoes and onions. Seán also maintains his flower boxes which he designed and built himself from timber and has gifted some to neighbours in the estate.
4 Co-operative Housing News Autumn 2020
“There is life
beyond the
pandemic
and so many
things to look
forward to”
We were delighted earlier this related issues and people lost to the virus.”
year to welcome residents to “It’s been a tough year but moving into my new
home has been incredibly positive for me. The space
the brand-new development,
is stunning. I have rented for years and I don’t think I
Hazelbrook Rise, part of the Avoca have ever had a place this nice. I love the communal
Co-operative. One such resident is garden and I can open the double doors when
Winifred Kelly there’s fine weather and enjoy it even more. The
community here look out for each other in whatever
“I feel very lucky to move into a new home this year. way we can.
I work with the Simon Community and sometimes
work at home due to Covid-19. In Simon, we have our “I’m feeling hopeful for the future and excited about
fingers on the pulse of a lot of social issues presented returning to activities I was involved in. Before
by the pandemic. Having a good space to work at Covid-19, I volunteered with a charity that supports
home has made such an impact on my routine and Native Americans in the Cheyenne River Reservation
outlook in life. in South Dakota, USA. I took part in an online arts
event they held recently and was surprised at how
“Before Covid-19, I unfortunately lost my partner, he’d much of a lift that gave me. There is life beyond the
been sick for a while. It was extremely difficult to be pandemic and so many things to look forward to.”
grieving when news headlines were about Covid-19
Inaugural meeting of the Avoca
Co-operative
The inaugural meeting of the Avoca Co-operative took place in Rathnew
Community Centre on a sunny evening in late July.
Although Members had to wear masks and socially During his address, he spoke about the co-operative
distance due to restrictions, we were delighted to see model and the unique position of Members as
a great sense of curiosity and excitement among the shareholders in their co-operative, particularly
group. Kieron Brennan, CEO of Co-operative Housing emphasising their democratic power. It is our hope
Ireland, welcomed everyone to the meeting. that we will be able to engage and mix more with the
new Members in the not too distant future.
Co-operative Housing News Autumn 2020 5
We’ve been
delighted to
hear positive
stories of
community and
support from
our Members
in the Munster
Co-operative
Peter Gatnarek, a resident of
Rooskagh Valley in Shanagarry, “The community here
Cork, tells us how his family have are very supportive,
been during Covid-19 restrictions.
and we all kept
in contact during
“I was lucky during lockdown that my day-to-day
wasn’t affected too much. I work in retail so was still
travelling to work each day.
“My wife was looking after our two daughters 24/7
lockdown”
so that was a big change for her. They are seven “My partner was able to meet with our neighbours
and ten-years-old, so when schools closed it was at a distance on the green during the day and have a
challenging. We’re fortunate though in many ways coffee and a catch-up. There’s also a couple living in
as our home is close to the beach. Even during the the estate who are musicians – one plays the piano,
2km travel limit, we were still able to go there with the other plays the saxophone. They’ve done a few
the girls in the morning and evening time when I got socially distanced Jazz performances outside during
home from work. That was a great distraction for us lockdown for the estate which was great fun.
as a family, and wonderful for the girls to be able to
“I think the hardest part for us is not being able to
get out of the house and play by the sea.
travel to Poland and Slovakia to visit our family there.
“We live at the end of our estate and there’s a good The girls would usually go for two months each year
space outside for the girls to play there too. It was to visit their grandparents. It’s something we all look
somewhat difficult for us to explain to them that they forward to. It’s frustrating as although Slovakia is
had to socially distance from other kids, but they on Ireland’s Green List, Ireland is not on theirs. I’m
were both very good about it. hopeful we will get to visit our family again soon”.
6 Co-operative Housing News Autumn 2020
“It’s amazing
became unemployed. It was a tough time for us as a
family as it has been for many.
for me and my “Moving into our new home was surreal, I felt like
I was in a dream. The Housing Officer Helena was
daughter to so helpful. She was clear and thorough about
everything when we were in contact over the phone
have a place we
which really put me at ease. When I went to view
the house, I couldn’t believe this was going to be
can safely call
our home. It was unlike any other viewing I had
done in my life – the certainty that we would have
somewhere secure to live. I’ve been renting my
home” whole life. In the boom I was thinking about buying,
but that never came to pass.
Co-operative Housing Ireland “I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when I was 16.
It was treated successfully at the time but came back
has been pleased to continue its six years later. Luckily, I’m ten years cancer-free now,
support of people in search of but I must be careful. I go for blood tests regularly
a home during this challenging and a proper check-up at least once a year.
period. This is Karen’s* story. “It’s not something I dwell on, but a small part of me
has always been anxious about what would happen
“Covid-19 has certainly been a lonely time and a
to our home if I were to become sick again. I didn’t
shock for everyone. My daughter and I were unable
realise how much the anxiety was affecting me until
to see my parents during restrictions because they’re
recently. This home has been a relief in more ways
in an at-risk category. My sister lives in another
than one. It’s amazing for me and my daughter to
county so I couldn’t see her either. The lease where
have a place we can safely call home”.
I was renting came to an end during lockdown and I
*names have been changed for Member’s privacy.
Co-operative Housing News Autumn 2020 7
Our Childcare
Team are
delighted to
be back up
and running
supporting
Members’ with
their childcare
needs
House Farm, Kildare Maze, Dublin Zoo and Tayto
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Park. The groups thoroughly enjoyed themselves,
our three childcare centres taking part in lots of activities and making many
had to close for several weeks. happy memories.
During that time staff engaged The Childcare Team was delighted at the level of
engagement with parents throughout Covid-19
in Continuous Professional
restrictions. They’ve also been very pleased with
Development courses to continue the respect Members have for new protocols of
to ensure best practice within each minimising contact and limited movement and ways
of our centres. The team were also of working. Our Team looks forward to supporting
Members’ childcare needs in the coming months.
busy preparing for the reopening
of services post-lockdown.
The three Centres, Brookview, St Finian’s and Island
Key, all re-opened in late June. It was a challenge
for the Teams as the reopening process began four
weeks in advance with a deep clean of all sites,
followed by compliance training and the introduction
of Covid-19 protocols. The protocols focus on risk
management across the sites, ensuring the safety of
all children, families and staff.
Our Childcare Team endeavoured to minimise
the impact of Covid-19 on each child. The Team
were delighted to facilitate several trips during the
summer months despite restrictions presented by
Covid-19. Children got out and about in their pods
each week, with fun day trips planned to Newbridge
8 Co-operative Housing News Autumn 2020
“We had great
fun doing our
Avondale Park
Lockdown
Bingo”
We have been inspired by the
community-based initiatives
delivered by Members during
lockdown, such as the Bingo nights
in Avondale Park in Mulhuddart,
part of the Dublin West Co-op.
Organiser and resident Ann-Marie
Reid hopes they can hold more
events in the future.
“I must say, lockdown has been hard, but we had
great fun doing Bingo with other residents at
Avondale Park. It was wonderful to bring people
together for a good cause. We were proud to raise
over €920 for frontline workers. We still haven’t
chosen which deserving charity we will donate the
money to yet, but we’re hoping to do an online pole
via the Avondale Lockdown Bingo Facebook page so
residents can decide.
“We held three Bingo nights for residents. They
started small, but once we ran the first night, we
scaled it up adding spot prizes such as hampers and
held a raffle. We also ran two dancing competitions
for different age groups of kids in the estate to take
part in with prizes for both the winners and small
gifts for those who took part.
“I’d like to thank fellow residents Sarah Callery and
Ciara Somers for their work on Avondale Lockdown
Bingo. We were grateful to get support from some
local organisations including Egan’s Shop, Salveta’s
Take Away Corduff, Avondale Youth Café, Julio’s
Take Away Mulhuddart, Daly’s Pharmacy Dublin 7
and Centra Corduff. A huge thank you also to the
residents who took part and contributed to the
Bingo. We hope we lifted everyone’s spirits
during lockdown”.
Co-operative Housing News Autumn 2020 9
Housing notices
Online rent payment Community Fund
To align with Government advice on social distancing Co-operative Housing Ireland has recently created
and to safeguard staff and Members, CHI have a fund of €20k to support community activities in
introduced two additional rent payment options for in our co-operatives.
Members.
The range of activities that may be funded in part
CHI Website: or wholly include:
z You can now pay rent via cooperativehousing.ie z Local estate events not funded under
the estate allowance
z Simply log on to the home page and select ‘Online
Payments’ z Events across several estates
z The minimum payment accepted by CHI is €30 z Co-op wide activities
z There is a mandatory requirement for Members z Research approved by the Customer
to input their Occupancy ID Service Committee
Payment by phone: z Promotion of events of a co-operative,
community, educational or cultural nature
z CHI can now facilitate credit/debit card
payments by phone
z If you would like to make a payment via phone, Applications from Members will be open soon.
please contact your Housing Officer for details Please contact your Housing Officer to learn more
about the Community Fund and how to apply.
New Member Handbook
Our new Member Handbook will be available soon.
A reminder to Members
Whether you are an existing Member or have just If you are thinking of making changes to your home,
joined your local co-operative and are moving into including gardens and fencing, you need to speak
your new home, this handbook will give you a to your Housing Officer to get permission to do so.
range of useful information about your tenancy, Further information can be found in the
your home and being a Member of a co-operative. Member Handbook.
Forget about the price tag!
Member Let’s talk about the social
value of housing
Handbook
Housing Europe’s Annual Conference will take
place online, 15 October 2020. The event will
address issues around the social value of housing
versus houses as a commodity, innovation and
future thinking, and meaningful policy changes.
If you are interested in learning more, please visit
housingeurope.eu/
10 Co-operative Housing News Autumn 2020
Community action
Breda Duffy heads up the litter pick in Matthias and his dad Austin Merrigan
Hazelbrook, Rathnew. Well done to everyone doing a weekly littler pick this summer
involved for keeping the place tidy. in Hazelbrook, Rathnew.
Hopscotch
Brooke and Hughie from the Willow View Estate, We were delighted to launch a new housing
Castlebridge recently made a hopscotch game development of 144 houses at Hazelwood, Rathnew,
on the path for kids to play on. Great work Brooke Co. Wicklow earlier this year.
and Hughie!ONLINE SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS
1. GET INFORMED 2. HAVE TH E C H A T 3. AGREE RULES
Get started by visiting Have regular conversations Agree on a clear set of rules
webwise.ie/parents. You'll find with your child on the in your home about internet
expert advice, how to guides, important things to look out for use and around screentime.
explainers and helpful online and any potential risks. Remember the importance
talking points for parents. of a healthy balance!
4. ASK FOR HELP 5. LEAD B Y E X A M P L E 6. JOIN IN
Reassure your child that they Do as you say! Modelling The internet is a great
can always come talk to you behaviour is the most resource for children! Play
about anything that comes powerful way you can your child’s favourite
up online. influence your child's computer game and discover
behaviour! the online world together.
Visit webwise.ie/parents for more expert advice, support and resourcesYou can also read
