A free, holistic health and wellbeing service that links adults (18+) with local community resources, groups, and activities to reduce social isolation and improve mental health.

The South and West Offaly Meals on Wheels service provides nutritious, home-delivered meals to older people, individuals living alone, and vulnerable members of the community across South and West Offaly. Beyond meal delivery, the service helps reduce loneliness and social isolation by providing regular social interaction and wellbeing checks for those who may otherwise have limited contact with anyone.

The Job Initiative is a program providing full-time employment for people who have been unemployed for one year or more. The main focus is to assist participants in preparing for mainstream employment through work experience and specific training opportunities.

SICAP is Ireland’s primary social inclusion and community development programme. It aims to tackle poverty and social exclusion by bringing together disadvantaged people, community organisations, and key players to work on local solutions.

WorkAbility is an inclusive employment pillar within OLDC, dedicated to removing barriers for people with disabilities. Through the PLACE programme, we provide tailored career pathways, education, and confidence building to help individuals find and maintain meaningful employment. By partnering with local employers, we create progressive working environments that foster accessibility and professional growth across the county.

LEADER is a community-led approach to local development funded through Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027. The 2023-22027 LEADER Programme can fund the following enterprise types; Green Economy, Agricultural Diversification, Rural Tourism & Recreation, Innovative Enterprise Development, Rural Food Production and Social, Community & Cooperative Enterprises Managed in Offaly by OLDC, LEADER invests in local projects, community-owned development, rural enterprise, and environmental sustainability across Offaly.

The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) provides income support for farmers and fishermen who cannot earn an adequate living from their farm or fishing holding. This scheme offers 19.5 hours of flexible community work and payment as a supplement to existing Social Welfare benefits, ensuring the viability of rural families.

The Tús initiative is a community work placement scheme providing short-term work opportunities for unemployed individuals (aged 18–35). The goal is to break the cycle of unemployment, offer valuable work experience, and provide a sense of structure, identity, and social inclusion to participants.

This initiative supports individuals and groups who are trading for a social or societal purpose, where surpluses are reinvested to meet a local community need. We provide essential supports including governance guidance, financial mentoring, and specialized training to ensure these enterprises are sustainable, impactful, and thriving in the community.

Unsure if self-employment is right for you? We offer a special shorter programme that gives you a taste of the Realities of Self-Employment, so you can make a more informed decision before committing to your venture.

Our MenPower Programme is specially designed for men over the age of 18 who may be experiencing employment-related issues or seeking direction and focus in their lives. This initiative combines a unique mix of mental health support, adult guidance, physical fitness, and social networking methodologies over a 12-week period. It is a safe space for great laughs, good chats, and new perspectives.

If you want to upskill and gain employment, check out our QQI certified Local Training Initiatives. We offer a range of training programmes (like the Edenderry LTI) to support your career growth and success.

If you have a business idea that you want to turn into a reality, look at our QQI certified Business Development Programme. This program guides, supports, and prepares you for self-employment, helping you navigate the challenges and uncertainties of running your own business.