Community Focus: FamiliBase
The Echo visited Familibase earlier this month as part of our Community Focus series. The centre is currently closed until Monday, March 30.
By Maurice Garvey
WALK into the FamiliBase centre in Ballyfermot, and the first thing you notice is the buzz of energy reverberating throughout the open-plan building.
The colour, café, and creative interior décor downstairs (graffiti designed and applied by young people), along with the movements of service users and staff alike, creates an atmosphere that has been good for Ballyfermot.
Alan Tully, music and film lead
The centre often sees 1,000 people through its doors on any given week, and provide a wide spectrum of services and supports for children, young people, parents and families.
“Overall, across the week, we run 44 groups and work with 50-55 families,” according to Fiona Kearney, Programme Manager FamiliBase.
“What we are doing, we are doing really well, but some programmes are full. Sixty families are on the waiting list and other services are tight like therapies. We welcome people to come join music programmes and drop-ins, we have capacity in those areas.
“Last year we ran 19 theatre events with open mics and all sorts of different events.”
FamiliBase is also a safe haven for young people to hang out on Friday and Saturday nights until 10pm.
“We’re very lucky in that the kids really respect the building.
“We have done a lot of work with young people in the community and are so proud of them. The key is talking with kids and let them lead. Seven young people now work on our relief panel.”
Kearney admits the “heaving” centre presents “logistical issues but we make it work.”
David McGovern, community programme lead
“One of my pet hates is seeing a community building underutilised.”
In 2014, the former Base Youth Centre merged with Familiscope to form FamiliBase, which is supported by seven different funders.
Following the merger, the public café became an internal facility, because it “wasn’t working” – kids couldn’t come in and make their own lunch behind the counter.
The set-up today essentially provides a “one-stop concept” of supports for young people, says Kearney.
She says engaging young people for their input has been a key element for the success of the centre and another is working with parents.
“In community programmes, we’ve developed them on the street. The running club is the genesis of that. Young people in recovery became role models. It’s about tapping into the community and supporting it to develop itself.”
Kearney gives a brief breakdown of their “three strands of delivery”, Early Years Supports, Child and Parent Supports and Youth and Community Supports.
Included in the three pillars is a crèche which accommodates 40 children full-time, therapists and parenting groups.
Youth and Community covers a wide range of youth work groups and arts programmes, which includes a “fully working recording studio and theatre.”
“We helped set up a Parkrun, and Horse Power, where young people were looking for stables. It is all about working with young people, advocating for them, and helping local residents to organise.”
For those struggling with substance abuse, they can come in, meet an assessment worker and get a care plan devised.
“We also work with the family, work out what’s problematic – but you have to be realistic,” said Kearney.
“One young person can present with not one but many needs at the door. The supports we provide avoids passing on bits of a child to other services.
“There is a stigma for a young person who is referred to mental health services. But there is no stigma to enter a youth club.”
Services: FamiliBase (The FamiliBase building is closed to groups until Monday, March 30)
– Offers a wide range of services including youth art and music programmes, a crèche, therapists, parenting groups, addiction services, café, theatre and even a professional recording studio.
– The community-based, not-for-profit organisation with charitable status is supported by a range of funders.
- FamiliBase operates an integrated model of practice based on the needs presenting from children and young people.
– In 2014, the former Base Youth Centre merged with Familiscope to form FamiliBase – providing a one-stop shop of supports.
– Contact Phone: 654 6800
Email: info@familibase.ie
Facebook FamiliBase
