The Embassy of Ireland, London and The London Irish Centre seek submissions to participate at an exciting new Irish cultural event at The Embassy of Ireland, London on July 10th, 2013.

‘Showcase Ireland’ will present a selection of fresh, innovative and inspiring Irish creative talent to a London audience at The Irish Embassy this summer.

This event will take place where London’s global energy meets vibrant, world-class Irish creativity.

We are open to submissions in the following areas:

- Music (all genres).
- Spoken word (poets, speakers, writers, thinkers).
- Film (shorts).
- Theatre (small scale, low-tech theatre).
- Art (temporary, event-specific installations).

Curated by Gary Dunne, Director of Arts at The London Irish Centre, the event aims to transcend stereotypes, challenge expectations and promote Ireland and Irish talent in a positive and entertaining way.

Submissions and queries to  garydunne@londonirishcentre.org. Deadline: Jun 14th.

Please include:

- 100 words to describe your performance.
- 100 words on why you want to take part.
- Links to video/audio of your work.
- Overview of tech spec.

On Monday 22 April 2013 The London Irish Centre Charity and The Irish Charitable Trust, which operates as London Irish Care, amalgamated to form a new charity. The new organisation will be known as “London Irish Centre” and will be a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity.

All services and activities of the two organisations will continue as normal under the management of the new charity.

With the birth of the new charity the Council of the former London Irish Centre Charity has now been dissolved. During the Summer details about how to become a member of the new charity will be announced.

A formal launch of the new organisation will take place in early Autumn.

Charity Number:                   1149787

Company Number:               8221421

We’re pleased to announce that we are now recruiting for the post of Finance Manager.

Full job description and person specification here: LIC Finance Manager JD PS March 2013 draft.

CLOSING DATE APR. 12th

All enquiries to David Barlow: davidbarlow@londonirishcentre.org.

Running is hard work for anyone, but for somebody like Chris, who is trying to turn his life around, it’s a lifesaver.

Chris has battled homelessness and substance misuse, but is putting all that behind him with the help from the London Irish Centre and Anchor House, an East End homeless charity.

Chris is in full time employment, currently working in retail in Stratford’s Westfield. He is also training to run the London Marathon – all 26 miles of it.

SUPPORT CHRIS HERE. 

Just over one year ago, Chris left Dublin for London and found himself without a roof over his head. He was supported by the London Irish Centre to find emergency housing and to get set up in London and was eventually referred to Anchor House in Canning Town, East London.

Chris has since become a member of the East End Running club, as running has been a passion of his since his teens.

“It’s great to be able to use all your energy positively, and I now do my best to keep healthy,” said Chris.

When the London Irish Centre advertised for one runner to run the London Marathon on their behalf Chris was the first to put his hand up to raise funds for the charity.

SUPPORT CHRIS HERE. 

A SHOCKING lack of faith in the welfare system among London’s Irish community is revealed in a landmark study.

The largest ever survey of its kind shows nearly nine out of ten (87.7 per cent) report poor or moderate levels of perceived social support.

Launched in Westminster, it calls for greater awareness among frontline social workers in helping Irish migrants.

“The data showed that recent Irish migrants, older Irish people and Irish carers lack appropriate social support, feel that mainstream services do not meet their needs and have a preference for culturally sensitive services,” says co-author Jeff Moore, Director of care at London Irish Centre. “The study demonstrated the on-going health needs of the established community, and showed that although the physical health of recent migrants was good, many self-report anxiety and depression.”

Developed in partnership by the London Irish Centre and the Federation of Irish Societies the study is the first large scale examination of the needs of the Irish community in London.

It examined the needs of 855 vulnerable Irish people in London, such as recent migrants, older people, second generation Irish people, and carers.

The study demonstrates the continuing disadvantage of the older Irish community, as well as providing new data highlighting the vulnerability of recent migrants, as well as social and health disadvantages of Irish carers.

Although most respondent’s feel they are fairly treated in London, the majority report poor or moderate levels of social support.

The study also provides data on the impact of culturally sensitive services for Irish people and respondents perceptions of mainstream services.

The research indicates:

That isolation in the London Irish community is a contributory factor to poor health outcomes

Recent migrants experience a cultural shock over competition for housing and employment, with 11.2 per cent reporting either anxiety or depression

The data on recent migrants indicates a causal link between poorly planned migration and poor mental health

Although Irish migrants lack information on culturally sensitive services, those who use these services are more aware of their rights and entitlements and feel more fairly treated, the survey shows.

Respondents found that mainstream organisations in London lack awareness of their rights, while older Irish people and carers rely heavily on culturally sensitive services, rating the expertise and responsiveness of these services highly.

The research calls for an awareness raising campaign to reduce the number of Irish people moving to London without undertaking appropriate planning and to increase engagement with culturally sensitive services upon arrival.

The report also called on policy makers, funders and service providers to recognise the importance and potential long-term impact of culturally sensitive services for vulnerable Irish people.

Dr Mary Tilki, Chair of Federation of Irish Societies who co-authored the report said “The data should be used to ensure local and regional planning for social services includes detailed information on the needs of the Irish community. Those involved in migration policy and commissioning must use the results to plan effectively for the needs of this community. As well as this mainstream organisations must improve front-line workers’ awareness of the rights of recently arrived Irish people under the common travel area agreement.”

Welcoming publication of the report, Chris Ruane MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Irish in Britain said:�
“The findings of this report must give food for thought for all MPs and elected representatives in London. It reinforces representations made by community groups and care workers that the Irish in Britain, particularly the elderly, are at risk of neglect at a time of austerity. They are in need of community sensitive services. The British Irish Parliamentary Assembly has previously expressed the view of politicians from throughout these islands, that the Irish in Britain should not become an easy target for cuts. It is a view with I which I whole-heartedly concur.”

For more information please contact:
Jeff Moore, Director of Welfare, London Irish Centre
Email: jeff.moore@londonirishcentre.orgMobile: 07950 422469

Jennie Mc Shannon, CEO Federation of Irish Societies
Email: jmcshannon@irishinbritain.orgMobile: 07723 822015

To download the report you can do so here - exec-summary-frontcover, exec-summary & fresh-perspectives

Ten groups have been nominated, each backed by a celebrity endorser advocating their work.

The ten projects nominated are:

- Brent Centre for Young People, London
- Conradh na Gaeilge Glaschú (The Gaelic League Glasgow)
- London Irish Centre, Camden,
- Irish Community Care, Merseyside
- New Horizon Youth Centre, London
- Ardoyne Youth Centre, Belfast
- Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith, London
- Tyneside Irish Cultural Society, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Solace Women’s Aid, London
- icap Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy

Please join us in wishing Jeff well and also vote for him here: http://www.irishpost.co.uk/index.php/component/content/article/5-stories/599-hibernian-heroes-award

The awards night will take place on 1 November in Richard Corrigan’s restaurant, Bentley’s, in Piccadilly, with the winner receiving a cheque for further funding for their project.

Tulla Céilí Band – Brian Rooney (TG 4 Musician of the Year 2012) – Le Chéile with Danny Meehan (TG 4 Hall of Fame 2012) – Boys of the Lough – Tommy and Siobhán Peoples – Séamus Begley and Jim Murray – Gough, Clancy, Bracken and McCarthy (founder members of Danú) – The London Lasses and Pete Quinn – Eileen O’Brien, Andrew MacNamara and Geraldine Cotter – David Munnelly, Mick Conneely (De Danann) and Ryan Molloy – Rosie Stewart – Mairéad Casey – Niamh Parsons and Graham Dunne – Damien Mullane and Donagh Hennessy (album launch) – Jack Talty and Cormac Begley (album launch) – plus more…

Full event programme

ALL INCLUSIVE CONCERTS TICKET FOR 26-28 OCT: £40/£30 concession
ALL INCLUSIVE SET DANCING EVENTS TICKET FOR 2-4 NOV: £40/£30 concession
All music events for under 18s: £6
All children Free at dance events

Full details about how to book are in the flyer enclosed

Feedback and interest has been great.

We’re at stand G2, come say hello!

Learn more about the event at http://www.venuesandevents.co.uk/.