cumann-na-daoine-logo-2023

Cumann na Daoine

A community based organisation in Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland.

All About Us

Cumann Na Daoine Community Development Resource Centre – All About Us

The Board of Management of Cumann na Daoine: left to right Liam Power, Angela O’Loughlin, Peggie Biessman, Biddy Phelan, Margaret Kelleher, Dolores Corcoran, Valerie O’Donnell
What We Are

  • Cumann na Daoine works with individuals and groups to help identify their needs and empower people to work together on a common agenda
  • It provides information and training to support people to improve their quality of life
  • It provides low-cost rooms to agencies and community groups to run courses and events.

Board of Management

  • Dolores Corcoran (Chairperson)
  • Nicola Bray (Company Secretary)
  • Peggy Biessmann (Treasurer)
  • Biddy Phelan ( Asst. Treasurer)
  • Mary Daly White
  • Michael ‘Mack’ Dempsey
  • Stephanie Whyte
  • Margaret Kelleher
  • Angela O Loughlin
  • Liam Power
  • Trish McGrath
  • Katherine Twomey
  • Valerie O’Donnell

Sub Groups (comprised of management + others) include:

  • Staff Liaison
  • Finance Group

A Welcoming & Accessible Community Resource Centre

  • We support other groups in Youghal including: Youghal Residents Network, Community Based Drugs Initiative, Family Support Project, Youghal Community Response Network, Youghal Community Health Project, Men’s Peer Project and RAPID AIT.
  • We provide room and office space for other community groups/activities including North Lee Mental Health Service, Community Counselling, Aspire, Employability, Cardiac Support Group, Department of Social Protection Clinic and Training Courses, SECAD courses, GROW, Weight Watchers, Yoga, Indoor Bowls, Downs Syndrome Ireland, Sinead Sheppard Dance Class, Keniry/Cahill School of Dance, Inch Bingo, Youghal Lace Group and many more.

Video

Inspirational short film celebrating the 20th anniversary of Cumann na Daoine.

Cumann na Daoine CLG is a community based organisation. It is managed by a Voluntary Board of directors & management members – local people who give their time to manage and guide the work and staff of the Community Development Resource Centre. Cumann na Daoine is a company limited by guarantee (CLG) and has charitable status.

Background of the Project

  • A first public meeting was held in March 1997, which resulted in a group of local people deciding to work together as Youghal Community Development Group and train with Community Consultants and support agencies from Cork and Limerick.
  • In 1998, the group found a small office space in Youghal Community Centre. Support from SECAD (ECAD at time) enabled the employment of a Development Worker.
  • The group then acquired bigger office space and training rooms at No. 10 North Main St and also acquired 2 part time Community Enterprise (CE) workers. At this time the only financial support came from SECAD and Youghal Credit Union.
  • After much training in management skills, finances, governance and development of work plans, Youghal Community Development Group were accepted into the state’s Community Development Programme (CDP) in 2002 and joined over 180 funded projects in Ireland.
  • The group was renamed Cumann na Daoine. A recruitment process took place to employ a full time Coordinator and part time Administrator. In December 2002 both positions were filled. In 2005 funding became available to employ a part time Community Development worker.
  • In 2006 Cumann na Daoine was successful in obtaining €1.16 million from the Dormant Accounts Fund and purchased the League of the Cross building. After much work and refurbishment Cumann na Daoine moved into the building in August 2008, providing a thriving Community Development Resource Centre.
  • Cumann na Daoine works in conjunction with the HSE; Department of Social Protection (DEASP); RAPID; SOLAS; Cork Education Training Board (ETB, formerly VEC); SECAD; Age Action Ireland and Community Radio Youghal. Numerous social groups became involved with Cumann na Daoine such as the very successful Women’s Group, Music Group, Men’s Shed Social Group and others.
  • Cumann na Daoine were the owners of the original Community Bus which was set up in 2010
  • In 2011 the State ended its Community Development Programme and Cumann na Daoine, along with the other 180 CDPs, ceased to be core funded by this programme. A directive from government saw a restructured community development programme being managed by county-based partnerships which for us was South & East Cork Area Development (SECAD) who manage the county’s Local & Community Development Programme (LCDP)
  • From 2011 to 2015 Cumann na Daoine  no longer received direct funding from any statutory body for staffing or to run the building. Cumann na Daoine stayed strong and continued to provide much needed support to the communities of Youghal through significant volunteer effort. Despite no state funding, Cumann na Daoine determined to remain open as a community development project
  • Cumann na Daoine continued to works with both individuals and groups, supporting people to improve the quality of their lives in a safe, confidential and comfortable environment where they could build confidence, gain skills, and have an awareness of social issues.
  • In 2016 Cork County Council and HSE South provided financial support to Cumann na Daoine towards the new post of employment of a Development Manager.
  • In 2017 further funding was awarded by Cork County Council and HSE South to employ a part time Community Development Worker. Also in 2017, funding to provide a full time Traveller Development Worker ensured the setup of the East Cork Traveller Project.
  • In 2017, funding was received from Cork ETB to fund a Local Training Initiative Culinary Skills course, facilitating up to 14 students, and this continues to run successfully each year
  • In 2017, funding from Bord Iascaigh Mhara enabled us to upgrade the kitchen area to HACCP standard, and in 2018 this enabled a new Community Cafe to start operations. The Community Cafe staff positions are funded under the Community Services Programme (CSP).
  • In the welcoming, accessible environment of the Catherine Street premises, Cumann na Daoine collaborates with government bodies and voluntary groups to provide education and training opportunities, social opportunities and employment supports (including DEASP clinics to help people back into further education or to the work force). Activities to encourage inclusion and awareness of diversity run alongside personal development initiatives, health services and social supports through the many social and support groups attached to Cumann na Daoine and the service users of the Resource Centre.
  • Rooms are available to hire for statutory and community activities: please see our room rental page for details.

Office hours are Monday to Thursday 9am to 5:30pm Fridays 9am – 5pm

Dolores Biddy and Lorraine_resized