Family Support
An integral part of the work done at ATD Ireland are the family visits, cultural outings and family support. These have recently picked up again after some easing of the Covid- 19 restrictions. Paul, ATD community activist, describes some of the struggles faced by those experiencing poverty in light of the Covid- 19 pandemic, “The families and individuals we are working with, tell us that there is a lack of communication as well as a lack of support and that life is becoming more and more difficult”- Paul, ATD community activist. “Families already struggling from hardship, poverty and socio-economic discrimination are dropping further and further behind and getting forgotten completely”.
Visits to family homes, hostels and disadvantaged areas take place weekly for a catch up and a chance to discuss some personal issues and offer support if needs be. We do this to make sure our community knows that we are still around even if they have not, for whatever reason, been able to make it into the office. It is important that we keep up communication with everyone we know.
There are multiple aims of support; to offer company, to help our members get through times of crisis, to offer support in enabling people to pursue their goals and aspirations and to help people develop their skills, confidence and knowledge. Family support can also include providing character references, accompanying families to court or acting as a liaison with social workers. “The people who are trodden upon, who are overlooked, who are not written about, are the ones who lead us.”- Isabelle. Family visits can also be an opportunity to invite people to participant in upcoming events and give them the opportunity to meet others with similar experiences. “Many people feel alone and guilty for what they’re going through, and bringing them into contact with people from other walks of life, and among others, people who are in a position to change the way our societies work, is so important.”
Visiting with people with who are experiencing poverty in settings such as this is vital to advancing the goal of eradicating poverty. Visiting with people and having conversations is a fundamental part of understanding the experience of those who are the hardest to reach.
Our Approach
Our general approach to family support is to listen to people and to let them guide the conversation. We do not try to come in with any particular agenda or timeline and as a result the visits can vary in length. According to Martin, the importance of family support workers is that “they have time to listen”. The visits are casual and relaxed in nature. “When they go, they’re not coming with a course, they’re not coming expecting them to turn up at 4 o clock on Tuesday evening, they go to where the family is and they probably have a cup of tea.”- Martin. The purpose of family support is not to do things for people or to give orders but to help them in areas in which they feel they need it. “We do things with people, not for people”. Dignity and respect are central aspects; “There’s nothing forced, we don’t force ourselves upon them. You’re trying to build a bond and a friendship. You don’t want to push people away or frighten them off, rather just walking alongside people and to support and just be there. If they want to talk, they want to talk, if they don’t, they don’t.”- Paul. The time is taken to intentionally and slowly build mutual trust and respect. It is an ongoing process to build up trust with those we know and continually work to reach out to those most affected by poverty and marginalisation. “I think the key to good family visitations is an engagement, a willingness to learn and to develop a shared knowledge”. – Mark.
Cultural Outings
We have also started to do more outings. Those living in poverty can experience physical and psychological barriers to branching outside of their everyday surroundings and everyday routine. This can result in feeling trapped and excluded from the things others in society gain so much from experiencing. This experience was exemplified during the pandemic.
Recent trips have included to scenic areas such as the Wicklow mountains, cultural outings such as to Dublin castle and to sea life aquatic centre in Bray. These have been really enjoyable days out for all involved!
Those with an experience of poverty often do not have the same opportunities to engage in culture and history. Recent projects such as those on display in the Socio- economic discrimination: Through the creative lens exhibition have shown the valuable contributions those in poverty can make to arts and culture but they should also have an opportunity to appreciate and be immersed in culture outside of their own lived experience.
Further, living in inner city areas can restrict your access to nature, which can be so important for our physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing.
Family support, family visits and cultural outings and similar projects are a way of implementing the ‘Leave No One Behind Promise’ set out in the Sustainable Development Goals, “in a context where many are struggling with isolation and hardship”. – Paul, ATD community activist.
If you are interested in going on a similar trip, please let us know by contacting info@atdireland.ie mary@atdireland.ie , calling 01 855 81 91 or dropping into the office and we would be happy to organise something!
