GRD’s SICAP programme works in partnership with communities and individuals across County Galway from Inishbofin to Glenamaddy and from Clifden to Corofin to identify and meet their own needs. We help those who are most in need of support to access training, employment and education as well as to develop Local Community Groups. All the supports we offer under SICAP are free.

There are two key SICAP programme goals:

Goal 1 - Supporting Communities

We work with Local Community Groups and Social Enterprises to make them stronger, better able to address their own needs and support their community.

Some of the support we can give to Local Community Groups includes:

• Help to organise and run themselves

• Help to organise community events

• Training

• Small grants to buy equipment to support their work

• Advice on, for example, how to apply for grants and join the Public Participation Network (PPN)

• Access to equipment on long-term loan to organise social activities 

By working with communities and partner organisations, we can improve access to information. We can organise events and initiatives and help provide services and supports to those who need it most across rural Galway.

Some examples of this work includes:

• Partnering with the Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) to organise community education courses across the county

• Working with Irish Rural Link to organise computer courses for older people and farmers

• Working with Croí to organise blood pressure checks in livestock marts and community venues

• Linking with the Galway Lions Club to promote their Message in a Bottle Scheme

• Working with Sexual Health West to provide local access to Rapid HIV testing

• Partnering with organisations such as the HSE, Healthy County Galway, Forum Connemara, The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) and Teagasc to improve access to mental health supports across County Galway.  

Goal 2 - Supporting Individuals

Under this goal, the SICAP team works with people on a one-to-one basis across all age groups to help them to improve their own lives and take part in their local community. SICAP helps people to understand their own needs, decide what their goals are and how to reach them. These goals may be to get a job, set up a business, take part in education or just to build their self-confidence.

We help people to access training, employment and opportunities either through SICAP or working with other organisations.

In 2023, as well as our usual work, the SICAP team will be focusing on and supporting, older people, those who are isolated or lonely, people from New Community (migrant) backgrounds and people with mental health issues across County Galway.    

Some of the people we work with include:

• The long-term unemployed, who we work with to help become more job ready, by preparing CVs, organising training, helping with interview skills and supporting those who would like to set up their own business

• Older people and people who are isolated, who we help by organising digital skills classes and community education courses such as fitness, cookery and gardening

• Minority groups such as Travellers, Roma, people with disabilities and New Communities (migrants) who we work with by providing access to training, education and support to join Local Community Groups

• Children and families in disadvantaged communities who we work with, for example, by running homework clubs, organising parenting classes, improving access to music education and providing play therapy

• Young people who are not in education, employment or training between the ages of 16-25 who we work with to become job ready or get qualifications
  

We actively take part in many networks such as Age Alliance, the Traveller Interagency Forum, LGBTIQ + Network and the Child and Family Support Networks, to make sure that the voices of those we work with are represented in policies and planning at a strategic level.

If you want to get SICAP support, either as a local community group, individual or social enterprise, then please get in touch!