CUMANN NA DAOINE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, YOUGHAL, CO. CORK FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN 2020 2025

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CUMANN NA DAOINE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, YOUGHAL, CO. CORK FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN 2020 2025
CUMANN NA DAOINE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, YOUGHAL, CO. CORK

       FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN 2020 – 2025
Catherine Street, Youghal, Co. Cork.

          Tel: 024-91900
Email: cumannnadaoine@gmail.com
   Web: cumannnadaoine.com
  Facebook : Cumann na Daoine
BACKGROUND

Cumann na Daoine (CnD) is an independent community development organisation located in
Youghal, Co. Cork and was formed in 1997 by a group of local volunteers. In 2001 Cumann na
Daoine became incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. Since then, Cumann na Daoine
has been managed by local volunteers with a range of skills and experiences. See current list of
directors and management committee members in Appendix A.

•    Cumann na Daoine aims to provide programmes, which will empower people to help
     themselves and each other in order to improve people’s personal and community life. By
     giving people a voice, building confidence and creating awareness of social issues.
•    The spirit of the project is to reach out to all, enhancing their skills, giving them belief in their
     own dignity and self-worth, breaking down barriers through listening to and accepting each
     other’s differences.
•    We work from the principles of equality and inclusion. We are committed to providing a safe,
     comfortable and confidential environment for people to explore and value their own power.

The key principles underpinning the work of Cumann na Daoine are as follows:
• Community participation and ownership of community development work and community
   assets.
• Equality and integrity in our work and negotiations with others.
• Inclusion of all but especially of those most marginalised.

Cumann na Daoine has co-ordinated a very successful community development project in
Youghal for the past 22 years. It has gone from strength to strength and has made a significant
contribution to the local community (see video clip on the web site www.cumannnadaoine.com).
In the last couple of years Cumann na Daoine has played a lead role in taking responsibility
for attracting projects that span the East Cork area with a base located in Youghal, e.g. East
Cork Traveller Project, East Cork DSGBV Services. In addition, CnD has also been instrumental
in attracting key service providers into Youghal, e.g. Barnardos, Jigsaw and leading out on larger
projects and collaborations for the benefit of local residents. e.g Employment for co-hosted with
DEASP and scoping out local research jointly with UCC and SECAD.

Cumann na Daoine’s work has been guided by several strategic plans and this is the most recent
plan. This plan was developed by consulting the public (through Survey Monkey), carrying out
one to one interviews with external service providers who work in partnership with Cumann na
Daoine, meeting with staff and members of the management committee collectively. See the list
of those consulted in appendix B.

Key priorities were identified by all those consulted and which were subsequently consolidated
under main themes. These themes are:
• Community Engagement, Participation and Ownership of Cumann na Daoine
• Unemployment and the Working Poor
• Expanding the role of Community Work in Youghal/East Cork
• Minorities & Targeted Community Work
• Governance, Organisational Capacity and Sustainability
• External Service Providers and Collaborations

The key pieces of literature guiding this plan are: Youghal Community Profile (2018), A Critical
Guide to Community Engagement (2018), All-Ireland Standards in Community Work (2016) with
a link to Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities (Dept of Rural and Community
Development, 2019). Acronyms listed on page 11.

We are committed to the All Ireland Standards in Community Work (2016)

                                                              3
CONSULTATION PROCESS

An extensive consultation process was carried out to inform the development of this plan. In
particular, all relevant stakeholders (10) were invited to participate as were all staff at CnD (20) and
all members of the management committee/board of directors (14). In addition, Survey Monkey
was offered to the public to get their input into this plan.

Besides detailed work which is included in the action plan itself, key themes emerged from the
consultations and these are:

•   There was a general perception that CnD is doing really valuable, local community development
    work. That CnD is a very important asset to the town and local residents and the organisation
    has an excellent reputation for transparency and good governance.
•   Key developments, such as the establishment of the community cafe was highlighted by many
    as a great addition to the town as is the front office reception, which is helpful to all that call in.
•   In relation to challenges, the key theme that emerged was PR. It was mentioned several
    times that ‘many people do not know who you are, what you do and how they might avail of
    opportunities or get involved’. This is indeed very challenging as much effort is given to writing
    newsletters, going on radio, updating web pages and social media. This area will be prioritised
    again in this new strategic plan.

With approximately 25,000 footfall to the centre each year, Cumann na Daoine is a very successful
Community Development Project. It goes from strength to strength and has the potential to
lead on many important initiatives for Youghal and surrounding areas – particular in relation to
community, social inclusion and social services. It is important at this stage that Cumann na Daoine
consolidates its work, strengthens its relationships with partners and continues to work with the
community and support staff in reaching their full potential. CnD should remain committed to
sustainable long term community development.

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are without doubt the backbone of Cumann na Daoine. Volunteers give significant
time to all aspects of CnD. The management committee is made up of 14 volunteers who meet
monthly at a minimum. Staff Liaison Group and Finance Group are also made up of volunteers
who meet who meet monthly to support staff and oversee the financial management of CnD.

                                                    4
ORGANISATION CHART

    As of 2019, Cumann na Daoine has a staff complement of 20 which includes 6 fulltime, 6 part-
    time and 8 people on supported employment schemes. In addition, there is an average of 4 daily
    volunteers and the management committee is made up of 14 volunteers. The organisation is
    structured as follows:

                                Management CommiOee/Board of Directors

                                                                                    External   Barnardos
      Volunteers/                                                    Finance
                      Staff Liaison                                                  Services   Jigsaw
      Students                                                        Group
                         Group                                                                 DEASP
                                                                                               ETB
                                                                                               Counselling
                                                                                               SECAD
                                                                                               HSE

>

                                                                                                             K7
    CnD is fully compliant with the Code of Governance, and provides an annual report and audited
    accounts to the public each year.

                                                    5
STRATEGIC PLAN 2020 – 2025

OVERALL AIM
To consolidate the work of Cumann na Daoine and continually respond to community needs and
priorities especially for those most excluded and marginalised.

GOALS
1.   To reach out and include those most disadvantaged through the provision of courses,
     programmes and research.
2.   Take on a more strategic role in Youghal and East Cork in relation to Community Development.
3.   Build responses and partnerships that are collaborative in order to deliver projects of high
     impact for the community of Youghal.
4.   Manage and deliver community development work that is sustainable, equitable, participatory
     and democratic.
5.   Continually ensure community work is based on evidenced-based need and priorities
     identified by the local community and with stakeholders who have responsibility for
     community development.
6.   Manage Cumann na Daoine ethically and with a commitment to local community ownership
     and good governance.

                                                6
Lead
Theme             Sub-Theme            Actions
                                                                                                            /Partners

1. Community       1.1 Engagement       Deliver taster courses throughout the year at CnD, e.g.              CnD/PC/Front
Engagement,                             horticulture, health and well-being, life-long learning festival,    Office,
Participation &                         Prides                                                               ETB
Ownership of                            Organise community events through the Arts, Heritage,                CnD/LCDW, Cork
CnD                                     History and Culture                                                  CoCo

                                        Specific targeting of marginalised and disadvantaged                 All
                                        communities will be prioritised, i.e. through History and
                                        Heritage programmes, Arts and Culture, Community
                                        Garden, etc
                                        Seek funding and support to run ‘A Time to Change’                   CnD, ETB
                                        programme again
                                        With YRN – host coffee mornings/chat by estate, e.g.                 YRN, CHP, LCDW
                                        Sarsfield Tce day, etc. engage more local residents
                   1.2 Participation    Local people will be targeted for leadership, committee and          All
                                        management roles across all programmes, activities and
                                        organisational structures
                                        Women: Women to agree an annual work plan with support               CnD/LCDW
                                        from CnD and Finance
                                        Men: Men to develop Men’s Shed Allotment project with                CnD/DM, CGC,
                                        CnD Development Manager and with link to Cafe                        HSE
                                        Older People: Continue to renew and roll out the Spring              CnD/LCDW, HSE
                                        Chickens programme, support Active Retirement and new
                                        initiatives led by older people
                                        Community Garden Project: Initiate Community Garden                  CnD/DM, YTT,
                                        project in partnership with Youghal Tidy Towns and Cork              Cork CoCo, HSE/
                                        CoCo. Transfer this project to a larger scale project with           Links CoOp
                                        Links CoOp and the HSE when possible
                                        Continue to host and promote the AGM in its current format           CnD/MC
                                        and invite the public to engage

                   1.3 Ownership        Resource centre will be held in trust for the community by           CnD/BOD
                                        local community members
                                        Capacity building programmes will be led and designed by             CnD/PC, LCDW
                                        the key target groups, women, men, older people including
                                        the provision of community development training
2. Unemployment 2.1 Supports            Continue Employment Support Services                                 SECAD, DEASP,
& the Working                                                                                                ETB
Poor            2.2 Access              Seek improvement in Public Transport                                 LEN

                   2.3 Research         Finalise Labour Skills Analysis                                      CnD, DEASP,
                                                                                                             SECAD
                                        Finalise a skills audit of Youghal Employers (sample)                CnD, DEASP,
                                                                                                             SECAD, SE Ed
                                                                                                             services
                   2.4 Education &      Explore UCC Outreach/Springboard programmes                          CnD, UCC, ETB
                   Training
                                        Host Employer Workshops                                              LEN

                                        LTI: Continue the roll out of agreed LTI training, aiming to         CnD/LTI, CTC
                                        increase nos and develop a new programme of interest to
                                        meet local needs
                                        After-schools: Continue supporting YRN to deliver two after-         YRN, CnD, Tulsa
                                        school programmes in Youghal
                   2.5 Social           Support Cafe to reach its maximum capacity/grow business             CnD/CSP Mgr
                   Enterprise/
                   Community Cafe       Implement contingency plan fully

                                        Link this project to the Community Garden/Allotments
                                        when possible
                                        Raise awareness of the Cafe through marketing

                                                            7
Lead
Theme             Sub-Theme          Actions
                                                                                                   /Partners

3. Expanding    3.1 Influencing      Carry out research into the model of Community                CnD/DM
the role of     Policy               Development utilised by a sample of surviving CDPs in
Community                            order to influence future Community Development policy
Work in Youghal                      Explore future role of CnD in influencing policy in           CnD, CHP
& East Cork                          collaboration with other like minded projects
                                     Lobby on behalf of communities more and educate local         Extra CW required
                                     residents on why policy and lobbying is important
                  3.2 Expand         Explore the possibility and benefits of expanding CnD into    CnD/DM/PC/MC
                  premises           extra space
                  3.3 Whole Town     Request the re-establishment of the RAPID structure to        CnD/DM, Cork
                  Approach           build a whole town approach to priorities                     CoCo
                                     Explore the potential development of Youghal being a          CnD/MC, Barnardos
                                     ‘Trauma Informed Town’ i.e.
                                     -Screen Resilience movie for CnD staff, volunteers,
                                     management and other service providers
                                     - Develop specific actions to ensure CnD services
                                     and activities can include children and adults who
                                     may have experienced childhood trauma (training,
                                     environment review, service user participation)
                                     Lobby with others for the allocation and implementation of    CnD, Other groups
                                     a Day Care Centre for Youghal                                 e.g. ARG, OPS, HSE
                  3.4 Green Agenda   Prepare for the impact of Climate Change – rising sea         CnD/MC
                                     levels near the Cumann na Daoine Centre
                                     Raise awareness of Climate Change and the ‘Green’             CnD/LCDW/Staff
                                     Agenda through local CnD projects, internally and
                                     externally
                                     Support the introduction of the Greenway into Youghal         CnD/MC

                  3.5 DSGBV          Support the development of the new YANA East Cork             CnD/DM
                                     Service – based in Youghal by participating in the Advisory
                                     Group
                  3.6 CAMHS /        Pursue HSE MHS to locate a CAMHS service in Youghal for CnD/HSE MHS/
                  Mental Health      East Cork residents                                     Jigsaw
4. Minorities &   4.1 Travellers     Support and Deliver on the ECT strategy agreed for 2020 –     CnD/ECT/THU
Targeted Work                        2025 (separate document)
                                     Support ECT workers to deliver their work and be more         All staff
                                     inclusive of Travellers at CnD
                                     Promote Traveller work and culture                            All staff

                                     Ensure CnD policies reflect the inclusion of Travellers and   CnD/PC
                                     ethnicity
                  4.2 LGBT+          Support requests to host LGBT events, support the             CnD/LCDW
                                     Network to develop and support youth organisations to
                                     facilitate LGBT youth
                                     Seek funding to do a small piece of research into the needs   CnD/LCDW/ Extra
                                     of the Older LGBT community in East Cork. Expand LGBT+        CW required
                                     work in East Cork. Last column Extra CW required
                                     Expand LGBT work in East Cork                                 Extra CW required

                  4.3 Migrant        Build connections with migrant communities                    Extra CW required
                  Populations
                  4.4 Homeless       Carry out preliminary work to assess the numbers and
                  People and         needs of Homeless people and Refugees in Youghal
                  Refugees
                  4.5 Disabilities   Bring together all disability group reps in Youghal and
                                     support them to develop a collective voice/network

                                                         8
Lead
Theme             Sub-Theme            Actions
                                                                                                      /Partners

5.               5.1 Management      Review Memo and Articles for appropriateness for new             CnD/BoD
Governance &                         strategic plan period
Organisational
Development                          Ensure rotation of officer roles every few years

                                     Ensure adequate oversight, reporting and membership every        CnD/PC
                                     few years
                 5.2 Premises        Continue to manage the premises to high quality fire and         CnD/PC
                                     safety standards
                 5.3 Capacity &      Continuously offer training to staff and management by           CnD/PC
                 Support             agreeing a yearly training plan to enhance and build skills
                                     and capacity across the board, including Community
                                     Development, Cultural Competence, PR, Health and well-
                                     being activities
                                     Ensure regular staff meetings and appraisals carried out         CnD/PC/DM
                                     annually. Constantly work at improving communication
                                     Ensure structured induction process for new staff particularly   CnD/PC
                                     in front office, e.g. develop script sheets for new staff
                 5.4 Finance         Review and ensure high quality Financial Management              CnD/FG
                                     controls and reporting are in place
                                     Rental Income – aim to reach maximum capacity each year          CnD/FG/MC

                                     Request HSE & DRCD to provide increased sustainable              CnD/DM
                                     funding streams for core staff (4) and programmes
                 5.5 Volunteers      Ensure up to date volunteer policy and procedures in place       CnD/PC

                                     Ensure regular training made available

                                     Ensure adequate supervision and feedback

                                     Host an annual volunteer day for all volunteers in Youghal

                 5.6 PR              Hold more open days and celebratory events to promote the        CnD/MC/PC
                                     work, achievements and the organisation
                                     Develop greater awareness of CnD and its offerings through       CnD/MC, SEDG
                                     more focused marketing techniques with the support of the
                                     SEDG and Management Committee
                 5.7 IT              Continually review and introduce solutions that bring            CnD/PC
                                     efficiencies to CnD environment and work
                                     Offer IT up-skilling training regularly

6. External      6.1 DEASP           Continue to work together to address the needs of those most     CnD, DEASP
Service                              vulnerable in relation to welfare and work
Providers
@ CnD            6.2 ETB/LTI         Consider a new focus for the LTI, post 2020                      CnD, ETB

                                     Explore the Culinary School proposal for Youghal/East Cork

                 6.3 SECAD           Work with SECAD to deliver responses to unemployment,            CnD, SECAD, EPA
                                     offer courses and respond to environmental concerns in
                                     Youghal
                                     Develop research into sustainable towns with UCC and             UCC, SECAD, CnD
                                     SECAD – funding permitting

                 6.4 Barnardos       Continue to support this work in Youghal                         CnD/DM

                 6.5 Jigsaw          Continue to support this work in Youghal

                 6.6 DSGBV           Continue to support this work in Youghal

                 6.7 Childcare/FRC   Pursue the approval of an FRC for Youghal when opportunities
                                     arise

                                                                                                      Lead
Theme             Actions
                                                                                                      /Partners

7. Collaborations Continue close working relationships with CHP, Foroige, Chamber, SEDG and           CnD/DM
                  Cork CoCo, HSE, ETB and agencies listed above providing a service from CnD.
                  Strengthen collaborations internally at CnD between ECT project, LCDW, LTI,         All
                  Barnardos and Jigsaw
                  Strengthen links and work with CHP and Youth Services                               All

                  Strengthen CnD voice on other local structures                                      CnD/DM

                                                            9
CHALLENGES FOR THE YEARS AHEAD

Distance and Accessibility to Cork city: For those furthest from the labour market, and those
with special needs such as mental health concerns, (children or adults) living in and near Youghal
is particularly challenging when it comes to travelling to Cork either for work on a daily basis or
for services when required. Transport is not frequent enough to allow people to get to work, buses
are full early in the morning and people get left behind. The cost of a return trip is €19 per day,
i.e. €95 per week (Jan 2020), which is significant on a low income. In addition, return buses from
Midleton to Youghal at 4pm/5pm are often full and by-pass Midleton leaving passengers stranded
for several hours.

Key services such as A&E, mental health and psychology are based in the city, in Douglas and
Glanmire. Without private transport, it is time consuming and expensive to get to these places,
particularly if you have family members to bring with you. Such services need to have an outreach
base and service in Youghal.

Communication/PR: This is a challenging task for CnD as there is no dedicated staff/time to
focus on this requirement. Management will need to give consideration to this matter and develop
a strategy that responds and improves awareness of CnD in the community.

Family Resource Centre: Cumann na Daoine has been lobbying (with the support of others)
for a Family Resource Centre for Youghal for over ten years. There have been many proposals,
promises and work done but no FRC has been allocated to Youghal as of yet. It is essential
for families in Youghal to have a centralised support system particularly those families who are
vulnerable and exposed to social difficulties. Locating a Family Resource Centre with a community
childcare service in Youghal would go a long way to supporting children and parents to respond
to the demands of family life.

Youth: The online survey for the public to contribute to our strategic plan identified the youth
services as the highest priority need for Youghal. We support this request and will work in
partnership with youth services to increase responses.

Additional Community Workers required: The current level of local community work required
for one dedicated part-time community development worker is too much. Workloads are being
managed but so much more could be initiated if a second local community development worker
was in place. There are shortfalls in other areas too such as co-ordination time for our community
garden and the mainstreaming of ‘Spring Chickens’ services to older people. Additional resources
are required and will be requested.

                                                10
ACRONYMS

HSE             Health Service Execu7ve                LCDC         Local Community Development CommiHee
Cork CoCo       Cork County Council                    ARG          Ac7ve Re7rement Group
ETB             Educa7on and Training Board            YRN          Youghal Residents Network
SECAD           South & East Cork Area Development     CHP          Community Health Project
DEASP           Dept of Employment Affairs and Social   LEO          Local Enterprise Office
                Protec7on
UCC             University College Cork                THU          Traveller Health Unit
MHS             Mental Health Services                 YSEDG        Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group

CnD             Cumann na Daoine                       PC           Project Co-ordinator
LCDW            Local Community Development Work(er)   CGC          Community Garden Club
DM              Development Manager                    CSP          Community Services Programme
FG              Finance Group                          SLG          Staff Liaison Group
KPI’s           Key Performance Indicators             DSGBV        Domes7c, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

                                                                                                                K17

                                                                                                     APPENDIX A

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT MEMBERS 2019 - 2020

Dolores Corcoran                                        Chairperson & Director
Mary Daly White                                         Secretary & Director
Peggie Biessmann                                        Treasurer & Director
Biddy Phelan                                            Director
Liam Power                                              Director
Margaret Kelleher                                       Director
Stephanie Whyte                                         Director
Angela O Loughlin                                       Director
Patricia McGrath                                        Director
Valerie O Donnell                                       Management Member
Mary O’ Neill                                           Management Member
Geraldine Hearty                                        Management Member
Liam McCarthy                                           Management Member
Brendan Dempsey                                         Management Member

                                                                                                                K18

                                                       11
APPENDIX B

LIST OF STAFF AND KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY 2019 - 2020

Maria Power                                           Development Manager
Catriona Harrington                                   Project Co-ordinator
Hayley Fox-Roberts                                    Local Community Development Worker
TJ Hogan                                              East Cork Traveller Project Co-ordintor
Amy Hyland                                            East Cork Traveller Outreach Worker
Caroline McCall                                       Community Cafe Manager
Oonagh Poynton and Brian Keane                        Cafe Cooks
Virginia Sandoval                                     Finance Administrator
Margaret Roche, Teresa O Connell, Sarah Mangan,       Front Office/Admin Staff (CE, RSS)
Sabrina Perozzi
John O Shea, Zvonomir, Jason Conney                   Care-takers (CE, TUS)
Volunteers                                            Front Office and Cafe

                                                                                                APPENDIX C

LIST OF THOSE CONSULTED TO INFORM THIS PLAN                                                             K19

Cork County Council                                    Lorraine Hogan, Helen Mulcahy
Youghal Socio Economic Development Group               Aileen Murray
Youghal Chamber of Commerce                            Sandra McLellan
Foroige                                                Catherine Ryan
Dept of Employment and Social Protec7on                Edel Powell
HSE CWD                                                Mags Creed
Staff                                                   See list above
Management                                             See list above
Survey Monkey                                          55 Respondents

                                                                                                        K20

                                                     12
13
NOTES

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