PRESS RELEASE October 2007 from FIS BIRMINGHAM OFFICE
The Federation of Irish Societies, the national representative body of the Irish voluntary sector in the UK, in collaboration with a Steering Group from the local Irish community in Sheffield, has commissioned a new research project.
It will explore the needs and aspirations
of the Irish in Sheffield, looking at health, welfare, housing and cultural
issues and how they are met by existing statutory and voluntary sector
providers.
Federation worker Rita Corrigan said" We
were very pleased by the high calibre of tenders we received, and are looking
forward to working with Dr Rionach Casey and her team from Sheffield Hallam
University."
She stressed the need to give all sectors of the community a voice: Irish born, people of Irish or dual heritage, young or old, traveller or settled. The report is due out next spring, and the quality of the research will depend on the active engagement of the community. There are several ways that people can become involved including taking part in a focus group or one-to-one interview.
A driving force behind the research is the newly formed Sheffield Irish Steering Group, which aims to set itself up as a formal membership organisation and take forward the research findings. It has attracted a wide range of individuals and organisations, and has formed a working party to support the researchers. The working party will draw on the expertise of workers in mental health, social services, Irish housing, and travellers support.
People willing to be involved in the research or interested in the new organisation are urged to contact Rionach Casey or Gerry Kelly.
CONTACT:
Rionach
Casey or Gerry
Kelly
CRESR Sheffield Irish Steering Group
Unit 10 Mobile: 0798 6019 716
Science Park
Howard
Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB
Tel: 0114-225-2987 Mobile: 07717 508815