'Community spirit is alive and well in Tipperary'
Throughout this new life-changing situation we find ourselves in, like many county organisations, the Tipperary Public Participation Network (TPPN) is doing huge work behind closed doors.
It isn’t an easy time for any organisation (or, of course, anybody) as we adapt to new ways of thinking and working, almost on a daily basis. There are, however, always good news stories in changing times and one of those stories is that the TPPN is adapting well and working closely with its member community groups, thanks to a small but dedicated and creative team, headed by Avril Wilson, TPPN co-ordinator, and Sharon Melbourne, TPPN administrator, and the volunteers who work with them from all parts of the county.
Avril has realised that “a true great learning for me is that community spirit is alive and well in Tipperary. It has been so heart-warming to see and hear the stories and the lengths that people will go to across the towns and villages to help others.
"Whether it be volunteers in the local community or paid staff in our myriad of organisations in the county, from the local authority to community and resource centres, they are all doing their bit to ensure that everyone in our society is and will be looked after as much as is possible. It is very humbling to watch and be part of.”
Groups have, unsurprisingly, sprung up in response to the Covid-19 emergency, wanting to actively help within their communities in all different ways. This means that TPPN has been even busier with an increase in applications for membership to avail of the information and support that the TPPN can offer to them.
One of the new developments that has emerged, directly due to the Covid-19 crisis, by TPPN is a small, but vital, fund of up to €500 to support the PPN member groups who are providing direct services and supports to the community during the Covid-19 situation. So far, 25 groups have benefitted from this support to buy personal protection equipment (PPE), food supplies, tutors for online learning or mobile phones, for example.
Working together is the way to get through this crisis and the PPN is doing just that, whether it is with the Community Response Forum, Tipperary Volunteer Centre, Red Cross, etc, sourcing much-needed foods or essential care packs, ensuring correct practical information and supplies get to where they are needed.
Avril feels passionately that, “all agencies need to work together now more than ever, and the importance of working in collaboration cannot be said enough. We need more collaboration going forward between agencies and government departments, and not just because of this pandemic. Communities are better served, and services are stronger.”
The PPN staff have been responding to an increase in calls from these groups looking for support, assistance/guidance around aspects of this crisis that affects them as well as an increase in welcome and vital correspondence the PPN has been sending to these community groups on the ground. There is a dedicated section on the PPN website with Covid-19 information resource packs and everything is updated regularly.
FURTHER DETAILS
The PPN will be more than happy to promote good work being done in communities and good news stories from its members. Please help us in sharing these stories by emailing them to admin@ppntipperary.ie
You can visit our website www.ppntipperary.org to find out more, or contact Avril on Coordinator@ppntipperary.ie and Sharon on admin@ppntipperary.ie or phone 0504 61014.