Ambitious strategic plan launched by Familibase

FAMILIBASE launched their Strategic Plan 2023-2027 this week, an “ambitious” undertaking according to new CEO Fiona Kearney.

Addressing a crowd during a presentation of the plan at Familibase’s Ballyfermot centre, Ms Kearney said the non-profit organisation had to change how they operated their services, due to the complexities brought about by covid in recent years and the existing economic climate.

At the launch of the plan this week, Ms Kearney said they had spoken with over 150 service users as part of the process to develop a strategic plan, and to staff, in an effort to secure long term investment for the service and the community.

“They are ambitious plans but achievable – we are proud of what we do,” said Ms Kearney.

Formed in 2014 following a merger process, Familibase works with children, young people and families and has three strands of delivery – Early Years & Afterschool, Child & Family and Youth & Community.

It is essentially a “one stop shop” for community services at the modern Blackditch facility.

A key aspect of the strategic plan is secure and sustain funding models, to embed and adapt existing services, while also investing in staff.

Also speaking at the launch, was Chairperson of the Familibase Board, Michael Sands, a former Deputy Director with Dublin City Council.

“It’s a real living document – what we do here saves money in the long run,” said Mr Sands.

Mr Sands said many service users who attend the centre are “on the margins of the margins” but its success was vindicated in the many success stories it has fostered over the last nine years.

Ms Kearney added that they want to keep providing quality services and specialised services to a wide variety of service users.

Research by Familibase to document their service delivery model found that they deliver progammes/events to between 3,000 children, young people, parents and adults annually.

Outcomes identified by stakeholders including the Dept of Health and Justice noted potential “significant cost savings” through reduced crisis intervention for substance misuse and mental health related issues at Familibase.

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