Trim Family Resource Centre receives €50k funding from Meta

Trim Family Resource Centre has been awarded funding of €50,000 from Meta (formerly Facebook) to enhance its digital presence and the digital skills of both staff members and the local community.

The grant will make a huge difference to the centre and will enable the purchase of equipment and facilitate training for both staff members and the wider community. The cash injection also recognises the value of Trim FRC and its contribution to the south Meath community.

The donation will allow Trim FRC to enhance its digital presence and digital skills of staff members and community groups. Additional equipment and training will allow staff and volunteers to provide necessary support for families, parents, migrants, children and young people, senior community members and the unemployed.

Justyna Doherty, Coordinator of Trim FRC explained that this is especially important as communities adapt to new modes of living, where the opportunity for social interaction is less common, and digital communication has grown in importance.

“Covid-19 has exposed Trim FRC’s limited digital resources and staff digital communication knowledge. Over the past 18 months, our staff have worked extremely hard to connect with families, with limited training and using limited technology equipment. This donation from Meta will help our staff and volunteers to upskill and boost their confidence when connecting with families online.

"It will also help raise awareness of our services locally and improve our online presence. We also aim to run Digital Skills groups for older members of the community so that they can access online support, join online courses and connect with family and friends online, which has become increasingly important since the start of the pandemic.” Meta’s Data Centre in Clonee has been part of the Meath community since they broke ground on the development in 2016. Since then, Meta has invested in County Meath and its residents through a number of initiatives."

Aoife Flynn, Meta Community Development Manager, said: “We strive to be a good partner in our data centre communities and are heavily invested in the long-term vitality of Meath and its residents.

“We are proud to partner with Trim Family Resource Centre on the vital services they offer the South Meath community. We were particularly impressed with their vision to use technology to connect more widely with local families and older people, and to increase digital skills in the community.”

Trim FRC is a local community development and family support project, one of four operating in Meath/ Louth area under FRC programme funded through Tusla.

Trim FRC is open to everyone in the community who is in need of advice, information or support. The project is managed by volunteer members from the community who employ three full time staff under TUSLA funding.

The enthusiastic and committed team, which includes part time staff funded under CE/TUS programmes work together with the local community to bring new initiatives, and to help foster an understanding of family and community development. The work carried out by Trim FRC is hugely supported by local volunteers who dedicate their time, skills and energy to many initiatives.

Justyna said: “Trim FRC facilitates and empowers families and the community to identify their own needs, to explore solutions, and to create successful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies at community level.

“We do this by offering the services and groups our community ask for. Work is extensive and includes the development and delivery of Women's Development programmes, Health & Wellbeing programmes/Workshops, Cula Bula Youth Group, Coder Dojo Coding Club, Failte Isteach - Conversational English, Strengthening Families Programme, parenting programmes, Rainbows programmes for children who experience loss or bereavement, Drop in Family Support, Beacon Family Project, Level Up Project for young people 16 -24 years old, supports and services for older people, a low-cost counselling service and Play therapy and numerous community events, family events, trips and cups of tea.”