Rochfortbridge
Introduction by Áine, the Rochfortbridge community organiser
The journey started alone with support from Neighbourhood Network finding people to participate in this wonderful project. Through social media and approaching local Community groups the project was able to bring together not only the younger generation who interviewed our wonderful senior members of the community but their parents who accompanied their children in the interviews.
As we all stepped on board the time machine my role was to help, guide, support, motivate and encourage each person along the journey of the project which became one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.
The creativity was amazing and the heart-warming feedback from the participants were words of appreciation, happiness, inclusion, a feeling of belonging and a feeling of “not being forgotten”. One participant said that she “felt privileged when she got the knock on the door” this is when she was asked by one of the participants to participate in the project and other said “I was so happy to be chosen for the project”.
Participants
Marie Doyle
“Lockdown and covid was very hard for older people, especially being confined to the house. Vaccination has helped people to be able to move again.”
Gabriel Lyster
Looking towards the future Gabriel hopes the world will be a kind and peaceful place where people are not locked in poverty and war and that Westmeath could one day win the GAA All Ireland.
Frances Gillespie
Frances loves Rochfortbridge. Has her friends and neighbours. She loves our quiet road and the peace of it.
Christine McNamara
Joy for Chris comes from visits from her family and neighbours, Socialising, Music and her grandchildren.