Fingal Inclusion Week 2022 – #InviteIncludeInvolve

There is something for everyone in the fantastic programme planned for the fourth Fingal Inclusion Week with over 100 events taking place around the County. The week, which runs from November 14th to November 20th is an initiative of Fingal County Council Community Office in collaboration with Fingal Integration Officer and the Fingal Public Participation Network. 

Fingal Inclusion Week aims to highlight the positive work that communities, agencies, and other organisations are involved in to reduce social exclusion and poverty in Fingal. 

Howard Mahony, Mayor of Fingal County Council said, I am delighted to be celebrating this year’s Inclusion week, with so many events taking place I hope everyone will have the opportunity to participate. As Fingal is amongst the most diverse and dynamically growing populations in Ireland, I hope we can all take something positive out of this week’s events and learn lessons from each other and take it into our everyday lives”

AnnMarie Farrelly, Fingal County Council Chief Executive, said, With Fingal’s growing population we have seen an influx of new faces from all over the world into the region. Inclusion is about bringing people together and creating a welcoming and inviting community for all, and Fingal has always been renowned for their friendliness and kindness. Let’s show our new and old citizens our hospitality and ensure all who lives in the Fingal from all backgrounds and identities are included.”

Valerie McAllorum Byrne, Fingal Integration Officer said, “Fingal Inclusion Week is such an integral part of the work of the Community Development Office here in Fingal and gives us an opportunity to showcase the wonderful groups and organisations that we work with across the county and promote inclusion through the varied and vibrant week that really is for everyone!”

Fingal Inclusion Week is very important to raise awareness of the excellent work being done by community groups and the Fingal Community Development Office, the Fingal Integration Officer, and the Public Participation Network to combat social exclusion. 

The week also seeks to raise awareness of the barriers experienced by citizens of Fingal that lead to social exclusion and promote an understanding of inclusion in Fingal.

An example of some of the participating organisations and community groups are the Blanchardstown Brass Band, Al-Awal Centre, Aster Family Resource Centre, Malahide Seniors Social Circle and Children 4 World Children.

Fingal Inclusion Week will also provide a platform for groups and services such as North County National Learning Network, The African Advocacy Network Ireland and Blanchardstown Centre for Independent Living to tell people about their activities and how to get involved. 

All events are free, and the programme has something for everyone. There are many events to participate in such as a Five Ways to Wellbeing, In Our Eyes Inclusive Art Installation, the positive Afro-Irish Vibe through music & songs and a Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Workshop. Our Sports Team will be hosting the Fingal Inclusion Cup in schools across the week, lots too happening in our Libraries and there will be a number of events aimed at including our refugees from the Ukraine.

As part of the week-long activities, everyone will have the opportunity to participate in online workshops or physical events taking place across the county. 

For more information, registration and for the calendar of events visit: https://fingalppn.ie/fingalinclusionweek/