Allotments for every community suggested at PPN

Allotments in every community, training on how to apply for funding, and workshops on improving mental health were among the ideas put forward by members of the Westmeath Public Participation Network in Mullingar last week.

On their 10th anniversary, up on 100 PPN members attended the plenary meeting in the Bloomfield House Hotel. They were divided up into groups of six or more, and invited to come up with ideas for further training to drive the network forward.

Many of the groups asked that Westmeath County Council provide raised allotments in each community, along with training on how to grow food. The need for mental health awareness training was a central theme at many of the tables, as was climate change and biodiversity.

Jack O’Sullivan, environmental consultant, said his group wanted more education and training in the area of emotional intelligence to deal with mental health issues. They also wanted workshops on biodiversity and climate change and specific training in how to apply for funding.

“Applications for funding are becoming more complicated and we need to be trained in how to apply to ensure we are more successful in getting the funds available. Groups need to be trained in what funding is available and how to apply for them on time,” he said.

Mr O’Sullivan suggested that a lot of the PPN members are not happy with their connection to the top echelons of Westmeath County Council. “Do we know that our ideas are reaching the CEO; are they being implemented or even considered?” he asked.

Committee skills, particularly media skills, including social media, need to be honed, members felt. Members need to know how to prepare press releases and how to highlight local needs to public representatives, it was submitted.

Training in first aid basic skills was suggested. Line dancing and art classes were among the ideas put forward for helping older people to stay active and mentally agile. Members of the 1428 Active Retirement Club called for the return of The Cube, a workshop at which participants took part in a series of coordinated games aimed at improving co-ordination and keeping the mind active.

One member spoke of the importance of mental health awareness, post Covid. “It is important to get back out again and training in that regard is necessary,” he said.

The battle against drugs was raised repeatedly. “Drugs are rampant in every town and village and we need to be aware of the problem and how to support those affected,” one member said.

A member of the Ukrainian community expressed concern that it is much easier to get drugs in Ireland than in the Ukraine. He said that workshops in sports, arts, dance, are needed to provide fun activities for young and old, to keep them in a good mood. He said that it was also important for the Ukrainian community to be schooled in how to participate in the PPN.

Solar panels should be mandatory on every house and windmills and hydro power should be encouraged, a member suggested. He said that Ballinahown is a magnificent example of biodiversity with its lakes, beehives, orchards, all on a couple of acres. It is being talked about even in Europe, he said.

That member said that in his area they have been cleaning a river for the last 10 years and now they have otter and kingfisher on it. It was suggested that groups should be looking at how to improve their ratings in the Tidy Towns competitions under the biodiversity initiatives.

Annette Barr Jordan, who organised the event, welcomed the suggestions put forward and assured the members that they would form the basis for future training and workshops.