Frontline staff from drugs projects have ‘selfcare’ day

STAFF from five frontline community drugs projects came together for a selfcare day, organised in recognition of their work to keep services open during the pandemic.

The day was organised by the managers of Tallaght Rehabilitation Project (TRP), St Dominic’s Community Response, Community Addiction Response Programme (CARP) in Killinarden, Whitechurch Addiction Support Programme (WASP) and Tallaght Addiction Support Project (TASP).

More than 50 staff members from across all five projects attended the day, and enjoyed holistic treatments, meditation, lunch and chats.

According to Jamie Doran, Manager of St Dominic’s Community Response Project: “Managers of each project arranged [the day] to recognise the work their staff teams do, and to thank them for their commitment to keep services open throughout the pandemic.

“Each service remained operational to support our service users who struggled with the restrictions of the pandemic.

“The selfcare day was a small recognition of the work we do.”

Michelle Hutchinson, Sandra Kelly, Pamela Casserly and Tanya Martyn

Jamie added how the day also gave staff an opportunity to get to know each other, outside of a work setting.

“Sometimes we make lots of referrals and speak to each other on the phone or through emails, without actually ever meeting each other,” he told The Echo.

“This day provided our teams with the opportunity to mix and get to know each other, put a face to the name.

“Over 50 staff members from all projects attended the day and it was a lovely, relaxed environment.”

The day was held in TRP, with treatments provided by the holistic teams based in TASP and its partner family support service Swan in Fettercairn.

For information on community drugs projects in Tallaght visit HERE.