Kids Together Archives – Community Finance Ireland

A historic community hall in Crosspatrick, Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny, has undergone extensive renovations, transforming it into a vibrant hub of activity for residents of all ages. Thanks to the support and advice of Community Finance Ireland (CFI), the Crosspatrick Community Group successfully revitalized the hall with a term and bridging loan in social finance, enabling the facility to offer a wide range of activities, from table tennis and spin classes to bridge tournaments.

Originally constructed in 1810 as a church, the building later served as a school for the local rural community before being repurposed as a community hall in 1950. Over the years, it has become a central gathering place for residents, hosting various events, including school activities, coffee mornings, card nights, and exercise classes. The hall’s renovation project, initiated in 2020, addressed the building’s deteriorating condition, upgrading essential elements such as windows, toilets, and the kitchen to ensure accessibility and compliance with modern standards.

Thomas O’Connell, the Secretary of the Crosspatrick Community Group, highlighted the hall’s significance, stating,

“People would never get together if it wasn’t for the hall. For as long as I can remember, it has been at the heart of this local community.” The renovations have already had a positive impact, fostering a sense of community and providing a space where laughter and connection can thrive. In addition to its current offerings, the Crosspatrick Community Group aims to establish a business hub within the hall later this year.”

Crosspatrick Hall Community Finance Ireland — *Pictured at Cross Patrick Hall in Co. Kilkenny: Head of Republic of Ireland Business for Community Finance Ireland Barry Symes and Jim O’Grady, Volunteer at Cross Patrick Hall.*

Barry Symes, Head of Community Finance Ireland ROI, visited the renovated hall to commend Thomas and the Crosspatrick Community Group on their successful project. He emphasized the collaborative effort that made the renovations possible, stating:

“The renovations undertaken here are a fantastic testament to the people power of volunteers from the Crosspatrick Community Group, who have seen this project through from the outset.” Symes also acknowledged the community’s dedicated fundraising efforts and the financial support received from Community Finance Ireland, a Leader grant for Rural Development, and a community grant from the Bord na Mona Powergen Bruckana Windfarm.“

Community Finance Ireland has been instrumental in supporting community and voluntary organizations in Kilkenny, approving a total of €2.28 million in social finance loans since 2016. The organization takes a flexible approach to funding, bridging gaps and providing loans to meet the diverse needs of community groups.

Thomas expressed his gratitude for the support received from Community Finance Ireland, stating,

“”Our experience with Community Finance Ireland was really fantastic. Barry helped us with advice on our Leader grant application as well as the bridging loan to get the project off the ground. That support is the reason we’re here today.“

The Crosspatrick community hall’s transformation stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact of social finance in empowering local communities.

Community Finance Ireland continues to deliver social finance solutions that support various community initiatives, sports projects, faith-based groups, and social enterprises. As part of the UCIT Group, Community Finance Ireland is the most progressive social finance provider on the island of Ireland.

If you and your community facilIf you, your board and volunteers need advice on how to fund a new idea for your community hall get in touch today or follow us on Twitter.

– £18 million social finance provided to Northern Ireland voluntary sector since 2016

Belfast charity, Kids Together, has purchased a new premises on the city’s Springfield Road, with £150,000 support from social finance providers, Community Finance Ireland. The purchase will allow Kids Together to provide services for 408 children and people with complex needs each year, in response to increasing demands from local health trusts.

Since 2016, Community Finance Ireland has supported 166 social enterprises and organisations from across the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland, with a total of £18.1 million in social finance loans.

Phelim Sharvin, Head of Community Finance Ireland, Northern Ireland said:

“The rate at which Kids Together has expanded its service offering is indicative of the team’s professionalism and expertise and their desire to respond positively to the ever-increasing needs of individuals and their families. We’re delighted to support the next phase of Kids Together’s growth and development. Community Finance Ireland has provided £18million in social finance to Northern Ireland’s voluntary sector since 2016 and we’re proud that almost a third of that has gone to organisations like Kids Together, which delivers Community Services, Childcare and Health and Wellbeing services.”

Kids Together was established in 2005 and delivers wide-ranging childcare, youth programmes and specialist care/therapy support for children and young adults with complex disabilities. Service users are located across the Greater Belfast area and growing demand from Health Trusts and families created the need for a new property.

Kids Together Belfast Community Finance Ireland — Photographed at the new Kids Together Springfield Road premises in Belfast Orlaith Bradley and Sharon McCloskey, Kids Together and Phelim Sharvin Head of Community Finance Ireland’s Northern Ireland business.

Mairead McCrea who founded the charity explains:

“The demand for our services has risen every year since 2005 and the acquisition of the new property, which includes a lift for service users, is a great opportunity for Kids Together to help secure our future and deliver key services on-site . The social finance support and advice from the team at Community Finance Ireland that allowed us to move forward with the of our new property, has been invaluable. Phelim and the team really understand and encourage our plans for growth and development. We couldn’t have made the new property purchase and therefore extend our services without their help and advice.”

If you and your community facility need advice, get in touch today or follow us on Twitter.