The South Roscommon Family Resource Centre, a service of Vita House was set up in late 2019.  We provide Family Support to families and individuals.  We also signpost families and individuals to external organisations for relevant supports.  We operate using a community development approach which means our groups and activities are based on the needs of the families using our service and the general geographical area. 

Groups which we are organising and facilitating at the moment include a Parent and Toddler Group, Conversational English Classes, Women’s Group, Music Club and Creativity Club for children between the ages of 7 and 9.  We also facilitate the Rainbows programme and Parenting when Separated programme twice a year. 

In the past we have run wellness groups, personal development groups- once we identify a need in the community we respond to it.  For example, we have been approached by some Lone Parents in the last few months saying there is a need for a programme for Lone Parents and combatting isolation.  Because of this we are now applying for funding and planning-with Lone Parents a programme over 6 weeks.

Examples of other things we do include (this list is not inclusive):

  • Parenting Courses and Supports
  • Supports for people feeling isolated and lonely
  • Supports for people with mental health needs
  • Information provision
  • Referral and Signposting to other agencies
  • Personal Development and Growth
  • Supports for families going through difficult times
  • Administration Support
  • Form Filling Support for those with literacy and/or language issues
  • Developing the capacity of local individuals and communities
  • Peer Supports groups
  • Developing and delivering training programmes
  • Ensuring issues affecting the local community are being brought to the relevant policy maker’s attention.

All supports are confidential.

A Family Resource Centre is a centre that organises activities, groups and other relevant supports based on the needs of the local community.  It is called using a bottom up approach. This means that the people living in the local area, agencies working with individuals, families and communities living in the local area inform us of the needs of the locality and our workplan in the FRC responds to these needs.

Examples of what we can do include (this list is not inclusive):

  • programme over 6 weeks.

    Examples of other things we do include (this list is not inclusive):

    • Parenting Courses and Supports
    • Supports for people feeling isolated and lonely
    • Supports for people with mental health needs
    • Information provision
    • Referral and Signposting to other agencies
    • Personal Development and Growth
    • Supports for families going through difficult times
    • Administration Support
    • Form Filling Support for those with literacy and/or language issues
    • Developing the capacity of local individuals and communities
    • Peer Supports groups
    • Developing and delivering training programmes
    • Ensuring issues affecting the local community are being brought to the relevant policy maker’s attention.

    All supports are confidential.

Sarah Brennan is the Project Co-ordinator and Felicia Loughrey is the Family Support/Community Development Worker.  They both work full time.

Catia Da Nova is our Brazilian Outreach Worker and she works part time supporting the Brazilian community.

Faye Hayden is the County Roscommon Young Carer’s Coordinator and is based in the FRC.

Shannon Keane and our newest recruit Tina Murray are both part-time receptionists/administrators.

Jan Polyak and Patrik Polyak keep the Centre tidy with us, as well as set up for groups, clear up and do general maintenance/ tidying.

Contact Details

The FRC phone number is 09066 28621 and the general email address is info.srfrc@vitahouse.org