Event brings people back together following two years of lockdown

A PUBLIC event linking community services and residents took place in Ballyfermot over the weekend.

Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership (BCP) hosted its BCP Showcase 2022 event on Friday, June 24, from 10am to 6pm, and Saturday, June 25, 10am to1pm.

The purpose of this event was to link people back together following two years of lockdowns and social distancing.

On-the-ground research by BCP discovered many local people lost touch with each other and the community activities available to them due to Covid during 2020 and 2021.

Douglas McLellan, BCP Community Development Co-ordinator said: “In terms of the opportunity for groups to show what they do, it was a nice event, for some, it was the first time they could do this since Covid.

“In terms of the public who attended, it was very valuable. They were not aware of some of the services that are available in the area.”

McLellan said there were some 40 stands at the showcase, including sports clubs, education providers, family resource centres and youth organisations, promoting their services.

The opening day of the event coincided with the launch of the Ballyfermot People’s Park next door.

Due to the success of the showcase, McLellan is hopeful that BCP will host another one some time around April 2023.