“Surviving a life in poverty is getting harder and harder as Government policies become more punitive and divisive. This creates feelings of fear and insecurity, it drains your energy and can make you ill. Having a place to go to where we are not judged, can dare to trust the people around us and be free to be ourselves is a lifesaver. Frimhurst gives us strength to carry on, knowing we are not alone in our struggles.”

Moraene Roberts, ATD activist and volunteer
in ATD UK National Leadership Team

“What can I do to actually help put things right? To which the answer we gave was, to spread the word, let people know that poverty does exist.”

Eric Knibbs, ATD activist and volunteer
at Frimhurst Family House

“Frimhurst: A Place of Freedom” is  a new ten-minute film celebrating the work of ATD in the Frimhurst Family House.  Over the past 60 years the House became a sanctuary where families struggling under the weight of poverty can rebuild their lives in dignity, free from stigma and discrimination.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Surrey is a Victorian manor house set in a tranquil woodland park. For 60 years, families struggling under the weight of poverty have found acceptance at Frimhurst.

At Frimhurst, families living in poverty can enjoy a wide range of activities alongside others in similar situations. Frimhurst is a place to share experiences, develop supportive relationships and form new long-term friendships. This network of support is essential in recognising and building upon the strengths of a family, while working alongside them in overcoming the challenges they face and promoting societal change.

Persistent poverty has a devastating impact on all aspects of family life.

At Frimhurst, ATD UK promotes the wellbeing of the whole family in a safe, welcoming and non-judgmental environment. The respite breaks, capacity building projects, skill-sharing and volunteering opportunities are designed to help the whole family build confidence, learn new skills, explore their creativity and create happy memories. Many who stay at Frimhurst go on to become anti-poverty advocates and spokespersons for ATD at a local, national and international level.

The film features the voices of people with first-hand experience of poverty and of parents, who have lived or stayed at Frimhurst. They speak from the heart about why Frimhurst Family House, the location of ATD’s residential programme, is such a unique and important place. They highlight the importance of creating a safe supportive and non-judgemental environment for the whole family… somewhere away from the day-to-day pressures and anxieties of a life in poverty.

Made to mark the sixtieth anniversary of Frimhurst Family House, Frimhurst: A Place of Freedom was produced for ATD UK by journalists and film-makers Ofelia de Pablo and Javier Zurita.

Discover also… the story of Mary Rabagliati, the member of the ATD volunteer corps, who first met Grace Goodman, the founder of Frimhurst Family House. She was the first British person to join All Together in Dignity in 1962, at the age of 20.

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For 1st November 2017 to 31st December 2017 ATD needs to collect €6,000 to make ends meet. This means raising €100 a day during the two “Christmas” months!

With these €6,000 we have to cover some costs of:

– the training of our volunteers (€500)
– the “European Djynamo Youth Network” project involving young people from various background (including early school leavers and unemployed youth) to meet and develop solidarity projects – in particular in 2017 the participation to a major European meeting over the Summer. (€1,500)
– unexpected expenses generated by the events marking the 25th anniversary on the UN #EndPoverty Day (€1,000)
– the awareness projects promoting the new 17 Sustainable Development Goals (€1,000)
– home support visits to households facing hardships because of poverty. (€2,000)

Help us to meet the challenge!

Support us to meet the challenge:

    1 – Donate the cost of pint and invite your contacts to do so! If many people donate a small amount we may reach quickly a big amount. So please invite people you know, relatives, friends, to make a gift to ATD:

Donations on-line can be made via:

 Altruism Ireland – PayPal – Charity Checkout – Benevity Causes

    2 – Plan a fundraising event! We are happy to support you! Contact us: volunteering@atdireland.ie

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Will citizens around the country play a role
to make next Irish National Action Plan
for Social Inclusion the best ever?

Marking the 25th anniversary of the United Nations’ Day for the Eradication of Poverty, All Together in Dignity launched a call to action in Leinster House with the support of Maureen O’Sullivan TD and the SAOL project.

The call “Walking as One for an Inclusive Society: A Call to Action on the People of Ireland” aims to network citizens, workers, leaders, managers, carers, teachers, trainers, parents, young people who are ready to be contribute to the new national action plan for social inclusion.

ATD with the support of old and new allies would like to contribute to strong participatory process to make the next Anti-Poverty Plan the best ever. Those who today live with poverty and social exclusion deserve it. They also should have the opportunity help develop this new plan. And when the plan is in place they should be able to play their part to ensure it is implemented.

We believe that with “Our Own Two Hands We Can Change the World”!

2017 marks twenty years since Ireland’s first comprehensive plan to address poverty: the National Anti-Poverty Strategy 1997-2006. The Irish Government is currently evaluating the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2017 and aims to publish a new plan in 2018.  Official consultations are expected in the autumn and a draft of the new plan may be available later next year.

ATD Ireland and various partners will collect signatures in the coming weeks. Human Rights Day 2017 (10th Dec) will be a first deadline to assess this mobilisation. Responding to the feedback this call generates from citizens around the country, ATD plans to initiate a dialogue with the signatories and with the team of the Minister Regina Doherty in charge of the preparation of the plan.

As the 2017 international Call to Action www.poverty-stop.org ended with a meeting of ATD delegates with the highest officials at the UN in New York,  ATD Ireland launched on the 17 October 2017 a national Call to Action related to the Irish commitment to implement the UN 2030 Agenda and its Goal 1: To end poverty in all its forms everywhere by 2030.

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‘It’s about giving young people a voice’ said PJ Gallagher at the Thank You Fund 2017 launch. ‘Coca-Cola’s objective was to find projects that would inspire and support young people, and there is no doubt the recipients will do exactly that. I am humbled by the people working in communities throughout the island of Ireland,” he added, “and believe that the impact of the work they do with young people has an immeasurable impact on our society”

On 12 October 2017, comedian and Thank You Fund Ambassador, PJ Gallagher awarded ATD’s Youth Group with a grant of €5,000 to run the project “Ireland, I Have A Dream”!

Coca-Cola has announced the recipients of its 2017 Thank You Fund, a €100,000 purse which recognises the work of community organisations, non-profits and other groups in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The presentations were made at Zeminar, a youth conference event taking place at the RDS in Dublin. 14 groups in total received funding, for their innovative projects in supporting and inspiring young people. Among the groups arwarded are: The Little Museum of Dublin, An Cosán, Leave No Trace Ireland, Oasis Caring in Action Antrim.

We are proud to announce that the ATD Youth Group (the new UC youth Group – Unity in the Community) has been chosen too!

Here is a video the group prepared to pitch for their project:

About the project

‘Ireland, I Have a Dream’ will invite young members of deprived communities to write a speech inspired by Martin Luther King’s legacy.

4th of April 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of MLKs death and although he is most famous for his work in civil rights he was also an anti-poverty activist.

Through this creative writing process we want young people to find strength in sharing their experiences, finding their individual and collective voice with the aim of empowering participants and inspiring others to keep fighting to stop poverty.

Martin Luther King was a role model and leader to millions. His speeches empowered people to find their voice and come together to take action. There are far too many young people living in persistent poverty in Ireland. The  project is to help young people to learn about MLK and use his legacy as a source of inspiration and empowerment.

We aim to encourage them to find their own voice, share their dreams, become leaders and ultimately role models for others through the active participation in a creative writing exercise. Participants will be encouraged to write about the dreams they have to stop persistent poverty in Ireland through the context of their own story.

During ‘Ireland, I Have a Dream’ the Youth Groupe “Unity in the Community” will empower other young people living from deprived communities, facilitate a series of creative writing workshops and organise an  event on 4th April 2018 to present all the “Ireland I have a dream speeches”.

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To mark the UN End Poverty Day in Dublin, ATD Ireland invited citizens in Dublin to “Stand Up, Speak Out, Sing Loud” series of event startind the 16 October at 7pm and finishing the 17 October with an event from 7pm to 9pm!

Discover pictures and videos of the ATD events
and many more the Gallery 2017
prepared by the Irish 17 October Committee!
Visit starts here!

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On 25th September 2015, world leaders agreed to a definitive plan for the planet and the people on it: 17 Sustainable Development Goals have been adopted. 193 governments signed up and if they stick to the plan the results will be extraordinary. End poverty. Fight inequalities. Tackle climate change. And leave no one behind.

It has already been two years. Is Ireland on track? Is Leo Varadkar and other world leaders sticking to the pledge?

For the goals to be reached for everyone, everyone needs to do their part: governments, the private sector, civil society and people like you and us.

Early in September 2017, ATD with all members of the Irish Coalition 2030 wrote to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar a pledge to make the Budget 2018 a 2030 Agenda Budget (see letter here).

On the 2nd anniversary of the SDGs,  ATD called on its friends and volunteers to to join the Coalition 2030 and many other organisations worldwide in the “Global Day of Action”.

On the 24th September, ATD organised “Stronger Together”, a community event to celebrate the 60 years of ATD International and to mark the 2nd Anniversary of the Global Goals! GAA Football Dublin star Jonny Cooper joined us for the event!

More pictures of the day here!

On Monday 25th September, day of the 2nd anniversary, at lunch break the Coalition 2030 invited its members to join us from 1pm to 2pm in a symbolic Act 4 SDGs March from the Rosie Hackett Bridge to the Famine Statues and the Human Rights and Poverty Stone.

The March was organised by the Irish Environmental Network, World Vision Ireland and ATD Ireland.  The 25th September 2015 banner “Ireland, Light the Way!” has been modified for the event with an addition of 2 words: “WILL Ireland Light the Way AGAIN?”. The banner was displayed on the Rosie Hackett Bridge.

Watch the video of the event here:

More pictures of the day here!

More about the day:

• ATD Ireland’s statement for the day: Will Leo stop ignoring the major challenge
  of the world leaders of his generation?
• The Coalition 2030 press release: Coalition of Irish NGOs call for action on 2nd anniversary of UN Sustainable Development Goals
• The SDG Watch Europe statement: Juncker should stop avoiding the elephant in the room and ‘Make Europe Sustainable For All’
• The ATD International statement:  A Call to Achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in Every Country of the World

We believe you own the SDGs. Your actions both big and small can help. Together we will be turning the plan into action, promises into reality and make sure that no one is left behind. Join a global movement. Make every voice count!

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ATD Ireland will be at the Irish Aid Volunteering Fair 2017! Come and discuss ways to volunteer long-term in one of the 100 projects run by ATD local communities across 40 countries around the world!

To start the journey:

• Join our Local Volunteers Network: help us in many ways from the running of our projects: fundraising, translating English<>French to maintenance in the office, special events, administration, family support and a whole lot more. Whether you like to work alone or in a group, in an office or outdoors, on the front line or in a support role, we can always use the help and we are flexible according to your available time and skills. Currently we are inviting volunteers to support 3 specific projects. Read more about them here!

OR

• Join a 3 months internship to start the discovery of the ATD’s Overseas International Volunteer Corps: ATD International Full-time Volunteer Corps members make a long-term commitment to working alongside families living in extreme poverty and are involved in activities and projects in Ireland and overseas. They  agree to live on same basic stipends and make themselves available to go where their expertise and skills are most needed.  Families, couples and individuals of all ages, from a variety of backgrounds and with an assortment of practical skills and qualifications, make up this diverse group of dedicated, full-time workers. There are a number of steps and ways to joining the Volunteer Corps, the first being involvement in ATD activities and projects here in Ireland.
  Read more on ATD Full Time Volunteers!
  Visit the ATD International website!

Follow updates about the event here!

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Every year ATD Ireland supports the “4 tests” call on the Government by the Community Platform.

As ATD  we want to underline one request of the “4th test”expecting from the Budget 2018 to “Set aside funding for pilot projects with the aim of developing long-term participatory processes in which people with experience of poverty and their organisations could contribute to the assessment and monitoring of policy”.

Download here the Community Platform Four Tests for Budget 2018

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ATD Ireland and the Irish 17 October Committee are creating a new volunteer team to support the preparation and organisation of the events which will take place in Ireland and especially in Dublin on the 16th and 17th October to mark the 30th anniversary of the UN End Poverty day and the finale of the 2017 #StopPoverty Campaign (see www.poverty-stop.org).

Hands and Hearts Welcome! Contact: volunteering@atdireland.ie

Visit also: http://volunteering.force.com

A first team meeting will be organised on 12 September 2017 – More here!

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