Wicklow Travellers Group – CDP & PHC
May has been a busy and uplifting month across the Community Development Project, full of meaningful moments, powerful events, and strong community spirit.
All of our regular groups have been going strong – the Boys Group (13–16), Girls Group (11–15), Mixed Group (10–12), Kilcoole Mixed Group (10–16), and the Arklow Girls Group all continued with great attendance and energy. It’s been brilliant to see the consistency and enthusiasm from young people across the county.
Our Toddler and Mother Groups have also been a lovely space this month, offering time for bonding, play, and connection. The groups give young mums a supportive environment to relax, chat, and share their experiences while their little ones enjoy structured play and fun activities.
This month, staff proudly took part in the Darkness into Light walk, alongside over 40 families from our community. It was a moving experience to see people of all ages come together to support those affected by suicide and mental health challenges. A powerful show of unity and hope.
We were also delighted to host our Traveller Pride event, which had a brilliant turnout. As part of the celebrations, we ran an upcycling project where participants reimagined and redesigned outfits – a creative, sustainable, and culturally meaningful activity that was really well received. The event itself was a great success, with support from the Council, funders, and local services.
On the 14th of May, we had the opportunity to attend a departmental meeting with Minister for Education, Helen McEntee TD. At this meeting, we formally extended an invitation for her to visit our Wicklow service and see first-hand the wide range of educational initiatives we’re delivering. It was a proud moment and a big step forward in highlighting the work being done in our community.
We also received fantastic news this month – a grant from Wicklow County Council to develop a biodiverse garden and run workshops that will benefit the whole Wicklow Travellers Group community. Planning is already underway, and we’re excited to see this space come to life as a place for learning, wellness, and connection with nature.
Across all of this, our regular school outreach and engagement work has continued – linking in with schools across Wicklow, Kilcoole, and Arklow, and continuing to build strong relationships between Traveller families and educational institutions.
A big thank you to everyone – staff, families, volunteers, and partners – who made May such a positive and productive month. We’re looking forward to carrying this momentum into the summer.