About Us
OUR VISION: Providing a meal service & a social outlet to vulnerable people within the communities in the Greater Kenmare Area
History of Kenmare Community Care
Kenmare Community Care was established to ‘fill a need’ in the community, with the provision of a hot meal for those vulnerable in the community. This originated with a ‘Meals on Wheels’ service which operated from Kenmare District Hospital under the supervision of Mary Fitzgerald, acting matron. This vision of the meal center was passionately pursued by a newly formed committee, with the first meeting been held on the 15th October 1973 in the Convent Assembly Hall.
The Health Centre’ at Bell Height, on Henry Street provided the facility to realise the first step of the dream, and this opened in conjunction with the ‘meals on wheels’ in the late seventies. This serviced the community for almost 20 years providing sandwiches and tea on a Wednesday and every Friday & Rose Crushells’ homemade soup! The service had progressed to a hot meal by the time they moved to the ‘Old Boys School’ on Shelburne Street in 1999, serving a growing number.
It was then in September 2010, Taobh Linn was opened and today our numbers have tripled with the provision of a 3course dinner provided Monday to Friday both in the centre and also a Meals on Wheels service. Taobh Linn center also focuses on social engagement through activities, events, classes and trips away. The official opening on the 29th of June 2011, highlights the huge commitments and effort made by staff and volunteers spanning nearly 40 years.
Our Mission:
‘Kenmare Community Care is a local, all inclusive, community based organisation. We offer a safe and welcoming space for an affordable meal, while also providing a meals on wheels service. We address social isolation and inclusion through a range of social activities, course and trips.
Our Guiding Principles:
“One of our key objectives is to work with the community in our area, focusing on the elderly or those with disabilities or medical issues and those whose who are in need of a meal and also isolated and lonely. We are committed to a policy of, openness, equality, respect and fairness”.
In 2021 under the Charities Regulator directive we are now under the framework of a company limited by guarantee, Kenmare Community Care CLG.
Covid changed the dynamics of what we were able to provide and the focus of our work was all meals on wheels based – up to 40 meals a day leaving the centre. Our present goal in 2022 is to encouraging more people back in through the doors for their meals and activities and classes.
KENMARE COMMUNITY CARE FUNDING SUPPORT, ADVISORY & AGENCY GROUP LINKS
Funding Support For Kenmare Community Care CLG
All fundraising undertaken by Kenmare Community Care Clg
HSE – Partially HSE Funded – Section 39 & part salary funding.
Grant Funding – Kerry County Council , SKDP , other grants bodies.
Direct Advisory, Agencies & Support Groups
-In house Advisory – the Directors Committee.
-HSE Community Works Department,
-Kenmare Family Resource Centre (Tusla),
-Kenmare Medical Centre and the Public Health Nurses
-The Kenmare Community Hospital – Fiachne Day Centre,
-The Rockmount Alzheimer’s Facility in Kilgarvan
Indirect Advisory Groups and Agencies:
Scheme Staff :
CE Programme (Community Employment) through the offices of the Department of Social Protection
TUS Scheme through SKDP – South Kerry Development Partnership
Garda Vetting
Kerry Volunteering Centre Ltd. – Tralee
Clann Housing Ltd
Kenmare Community Care is located on the site of Cluid Housing so a mutual support and advisory relationship would exist between both parties.