News & Events

Drogheda Community Safety and Wellbeing Event

Nov 14, 2023

Today Drogheda Implementation Board, in partnership with Louth Local Development’s Social Inclusion Community Activation (SICAP) Programme, held a Community Safety and Wellbeing event in the Holy Family Community Centre in Ballsgrove attended by almost 200 staff, service users and community members. Attendees had the opportunity to hear Fr. Peter McVerry speak about community safety needing inclusion, collaboration and a united community. They also visited over 20 stands and interactive exhibits at the event hosted by a wide variety of service providers such as An Garda Siochána Community Policing and Crime Prevention units; Louth County Council Tenancy Liaison Officers, Dog Wardens, Healthy Louth and the Electoral Register teams; HSE Health Promotion; Tusla’s Family Support service; Louth Local Development’s employment and other support services; LMETB Adult Education; and many community organisations who showcased the supports they provide including Connect Family Resource Centre; local Youth Services; Lifestyle Development; Culture Connect and more.

Drogheda Community Safety and Wellbeing Event organising committee

Meanwhile in the outdoor emergency services area, the Garda Mounted Unit horses entranced the over 200 children who came to visit the event with their teachers, sending excitement levels off the richter scale. Also in the outdoor area volunteers from the Red Cross Drogheda branch carried out health checks in their ambulance; the Boyne River Rescue allowed children to have a go in one of their rescue boats; and members of Drogheda Fire Station gave safety demonstrations.

Boyne River Rescue demonstration

Attendees were asked to complete a short survey after visiting the event. The majority said they were surprised at the amount of services available in Drogheda and found the event very useful. Fr. Peter McVerry was also a big hit on the day. Many also said that neighbours looking out for one another is the thing that makes them feel safe in their community – which connected very strongly with what Fr. McVerry saying about the importance of a united community and the organisers’ goal for the event of empowering people to know where to go for help when they need it and to feel more connected to their community.