Community members connecting over tea and conversation at a Café Connect event that promotes social inclusion and wellbeing

Create Connections

Strengthening the link between people and the community.

Local Collaboration

Connecting with local communities to learn, grow, and discover new resources and opportunities.

Wellbeing-focus

Providing opportunities to make social connections and lessen the feelings of loneliness.

Community-centric Approach

Placing the needs and aspirations of local communities at the heart of everything we do.

Creating Connections and Collaborating Locally

At Offaly Local Development Company (OLDC), we believe that connecting with other communities in our local area is crucial. We know that this kind of collaboration can help us all learn and grow together, as well as discover new resources and opportunities that benefit everyone.

The work of OLDC seeks to create connections between people, place and potential and reduce social isolation in our communities. We provide a comprehensive range of supports to communities within the County, developing innovative solutions to help them transition culturally, demographically, economically, environmentally, and socially.

Information

Drop-In Cafe brings communities together through two of life’s simple pleasures – cuppas and chats! These sessions are open to adults of all ages and aim to tackle social isolation and loneliness by giving people an opportunity to make connections within their locality and beyond.

Drop-In Cafe has taken place in multiple locations to date. All tea, coffee and sweet treats are provided by Offaly Local Development Company and sessions are facilitated by our staff; all you need to do is bring the conversation.

Current Locations:

  • Tullamore: Thursdays 11am – 1:30pm at The Darmagh Centre, R35 HC04. Contact Michelle on 087 7470562 or email Michelle mcoyne@offalyldc.ie
  • Edenderry: Mondays 11am – 12pm at The Community Cabin, R45 HY18. Contact Derek on 087 7421524 or email Derek dcoyne@offalyldc.ie
  • Birr: Fridays 11:30am – 1 pm at LOETB Birr, R42 W902. Contact Aoife on 087 7385989 or email Aoife akelly@offalyldc.ie

For queries or to bring the Drop-In Cafe to your community, contact Stephanie on 086 833 6873 or email shill@offalyldc.ie

Community Lunch Clubs

The Lunch Club is a social outing developed by Offaly Healthy Homes working with several community partners. The aim is to provide a positive environment where people can meet, enjoy a good meal together and socialise with their neighbours and friends all within their local community.

The club is open to anyone over 55 years old. Our wish is to support older people to live independently by bringing people together in their communities, providing a healthy lunch, engaging them in social activities and facilitating social connections.

Clients can also get help and information on support services they may need. The cost is currently €10 per person for dinner, dessert, goodies and entertainment held over a three-hour period (usually 12:30pm and 3:30pm).

Locations currently include: Ballycumber, Banagher, Barna, Birr, Clareen, Cloghan, Coolderry, Kilcormac, Kinnitty, Mountbolus, Mucklagh and Shinrone.

At OLDC, we believe that connecting with other communities in our local area is crucial. We know that this kind of collaboration can help us all learn and grow together, as well as discover new resources and opportunities that benefit everyone. The work of OLDC seeks to create connections between people, place and potential and reduce social isolation in our communities.

We understand that social isolation can affect anyone, and that even small moments of connection can make a big difference. Walking side by side provides a relaxed and supportive environment where conversations can happen naturally, helping people feel more at ease and less alone. These shared experiences help to build trust, friendships, and a sense of belonging.

As well as supporting social connection, social walks contribute to overall wellbeing. Gentle physical activity, fresh air, and time spent in good company can all have a positive impact on mood, confidence, and mental health. By bringing people together for a social walk, we create opportunities for connection, growth and mutual support, followed by a good cup of tea!

Through social walks, OLDC continues its work of connecting people, place, and potential—helping to reduce isolation and strengthen the fabric of our communities.

Social walks are coordinated monthly across the county, are suited to any ability, and are tailored to suit the group on the day. For information:

Walks in the north east of Offaly contact Cormac on 087 665 9267 or Derek on 087 742 1524.

Walks in the south and west of the county, contact Declan on 087 699 1226 or Stephanie on 086 833 6873.

Offaly Local Development Company runs multiple programmes with the support of Safefood and HSE funding, which have the aim of educating the community on healthy eating and creating an opportunity for the development of skills and knowledge around food, healthier shopping, and cookery skills.

Safefood: OLDC is one of thirteen community based organisations that received funding for the Community Food Initiatives Programme 2022-2024.  CFI is delivered across County Offaly in the form of two community events and three small projects annually.

The community events for 2022 took place in Clonbullogue National School and Walsh Island National School where students, parents, grandparents and the wider community came together for a fun day of cookery demonstrations, taste tests and sporting activities.

The small projects support participants over a number of weeks. In 2022 these projects took place in the form of interactive cookery classes in conjunction with Scoil Bhride Edenderry, Mucklagh Community Centre and Tots and Teas Shinrone.

For more information on Safefood in Offaly contact Claire: 087 7799 853 or chall@offalyldc.ie

Healthy Food Made Easy: Healthy Food Made Easy is a 6-week programme based around nutrition, education and cookery. It was developed to promote healthy eating and build basic cookery skills. It will equip individuals with the necessary nutritional knowledge to help them make practical and wiser food choices, overall it encourages positive changes in eating habits. The programme is delivered over 6 sessions lasting roughly 2.5 hours. Each session includes a theory section and a cookery session.

Able 2 Cook 4 Health:  is a modified version of Healthy Food Made Easy designed to meet the needs of people with low literacy skills and people with intellectual and learning disabilities.

Cool Dudes: A 5 session programme aimed at children 8-12. All 5 sessions include practical cookery and participants choose what they would like to cook from a range of recipes in the handbook provided. This course is available to schools and youth activity groups.

For more information on any of these programmes in Offaly contact Claire: 087 7799 853 or chall@offalyldc.ie

Community integration ensures that everyone has access to the full spectrum of social, educational, and professional opportunities, with these opportunities deeply rooted within the existing communities. At its core, community integration involves ensuring that each person has the opportunity to pursue their interests, desires, and goals.

Within Offaly Local Development Company, various supports are offered to people from all backgrounds to promote inclusion and integration. Individuals and groups who find themselves marginalised, isolated or segregated due to disability, gender, race, origin or any other reason are supported to engage and positively participate in a host of activities and programmes with a focus on meaningful integration in their communities.

Community integration opportunities are available through a variety of health and wellbeing programmes, employment programmes and other ad hoc events.

Further Connecting Initiatives

OLDC also supports social inclusion and connection through various related programmes, including:

  • MenPower Programme: Equipping individuals with essential skills for growth and personal advancement.
  • Offaly Well Connected – Social Prescribing: Connecting individuals to community supports.
  • Fáilte Isteach Conversational English: Seeking volunteers to help strengthen community connections in Clara, Kilcormac, and Birr.
  • Social Walking: Promoting wellbeing through organised social walks.

Find out more in our Latest News & Insights section.

Contact

At Offaly Local Development Company, we bring deep local insight, dedicated support, and proven expertise to foster sustainable development across our communities. If you or your community group are seeking support to reduce social isolation, please contact our team.

Louise Larkin

Social Inclusion Team Leader

Social Inclusion Initiatives

Sinead Conneely

Meals on Wheels Coordinator

Community Lunch Clubs

Contact

Ready to take the next step? Our team is available to provide guidance and support tailored to your needs. Contact your local coordinator directly via the details below.

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