Community Service Initiatives

Thank you to the kind generosity of the Malahide Community, Malahide Lions Club are able to support various community initiatives in our area. One area we are targetting is that of young people with mental health challenges. We are also helping the efforts to enable the elderly to return to social activities.
We have identified and are currently supporting the following services this year 2022.

SÁMH
SAMH Youth Counselling is a free and confidential locally based counselling service for young people between the age of 12 – 18yrs who are having challenges to their positive mental health.  This service was initiated by the North Dublin Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force and now provides FREE early intervention counselling as part of our prevention strategy at community level. This service recognises that early intervention is key in interrupting a young persons trajectory into future problems. As well as alcohol and drug problems this service supports those with anxiety, eating disorders and school difficulties. The family is also offered support and advice.

Community Mental Health Initiative (Malahide Allotments)
There are two allotments with a poly tunnel in Malahide Allotments made available to service users from our area who have experienced mental health difficulties. Others who just have an interest in gardening or would like a bit of company are also welcome to drop in to give a hand. There is a cup of tea and a chat available too and weather permitting some brave souls head to the sea for a swim. 
Malahide Lions met with Malcolm Garland, a man of vision and generosity, who organised this venture and gives of his time and talents to  run the allotments. We are more than happy to support Malcolm in his quest by buying seeds, bulbs and tools for his productive plots.

Talbot Lodge Nursing Home (MCS TY Students)
The Club had forged a link between the TY students and the residents in Talbot Lodge. A number of visits had taken place and work was ongoing on the production of a project entitled 'Then and Now in Malahide'. The idea was that the residents, most of whom are in their eighties, and the teenage students describe their respective youths in terms of school, family life, clothes, music, reading, entertainment and social interactions. The residents were very keen to talk to the students and vice versa. Unfortunately it came to an abrupt end as a result of Covid 19. We are hoping to restart this work as soon as feasibly possible.
We also proposed putting on an Xmas concert, including both residents and some extremely talented Lions members. Unfortunately covid prevented this from happening. But going forward we will exploring this option again.

Malahide Seniors' Social Club
Malahide Seniors Social is run by an interdenominational committee who saw the need to encourage those who had been cocooning, to return to socialising with friends in a safe environment.
This is a monthly event which consists of afternoon tea, a talk on a relevant subject, followed by a different activity each month, ending with a live sing song.
It is open to all seniors within the community, including those suffering from dementia and alzheimer’s accompanied by their careers, those recently bereaved and those with any disabilities.
The committee are very grateful to Malahide Lions Club who have contributed to funding for the improvement and extension of the sound and projection system in the Gaffney Hall, part of the Malahide Parish Centre. This will enable the group to be spread over a wider area to increase capacity.

St Benedict's Visitation
St Benedicts is a fantastic, sheltered housing developement for the elderly on Estuary Road in Malahide. It is jointly run by the St Vincent de Paul and Fingal County Council and  comprises 45 units with a mix of one and two bedroom bungalows together with a community facility. 
Malahide Lions is acutely aware of the loss of confidence and social isolation suffered by many elderly people as a result of Covid.
Thankfully we are now back doing our monthly Coffee Mornings in St Benedicts. We have also set up a 6 week Arts and Crafts course, which is a great success. We hope to continue to expand the range of activities. We continually strive to cater for the interests and hobbies of the residents.
St Benedicts is very open to inviting elderly members of the wider community in Malahide to join our Coffee Mornings and courses. We hope that in time this will add to the energy and vibrancy of the events.