HOPE drop-in centre opens doors to new premises in the heart of Tallaght
By Mary Dennehy
THE HOPE suicide prevention drop-in centre is officially opening its new, dedicated premises in Tallaght village this Saturday, a move made possible by community-based fundraising.
HOPE [Hold On Pain Eases] was established in June 2013 by Tallaght mother Mary McLoughlin in response to the growing number of people losing their life to suicide.
Mary Walsh, Mary McLoughlin, Noreen Duggan and Anne Davison
Since opening, the support service has been based in Trustus House on Main Street, where it offered support, counselling and a cup of tea to anybody feeling depressed, anxious or suicidal through its weekly drop-in centre.
However, thanks to community fundraising in recent years, HOPE has moved into a larger premises in Tallaght village – which will allow the service to respond to the growing demand for mental health services locally.
Speaking with The Echo, Mary stressed that the centre is for anyone feeling lonely, isolated, depressed or suicidal, alongside those in the community affected by or bereaved by suicide.
“We have officially moved in and are working out of the new premises,” Mary said.
“This premises was secured by fundraising and we are so thankful to the entire community. It was so important for us to have our own premises.
Safe and secure place
“Now, when anybody is looking for help, we have a safe and secure place to bring them, and can bring in a counsellor if need be.”
The new premises has three counselling rooms and a community kitchen, where members of the public can drop in for a chat, a listening ear and a cuppa.
“The centre is for everyone, including people feeling lonely or isolated,” Mary said. “Not everyone may want counselling and people can come in and sit in the kitchen and have a cuppa . . . a lot of stuff comes out around a kitchen table.”
The confidential service has a team of counsellors who work with members of the public, while volunteers, who run the centre, providing support and a listening ear.
The reception area of Hope’s new premises
Currently the centre is open on Tuesday from 12 noon to 2pm and Tuesday evening from 6pm to 9pm, with services, which are free, and opening times expanding over time.
Over the summer months HOPE is providing art therapy classes for children bereaved by suicide, with plans for an adult suicide bereavement group underway.
This Saturday, July 14, the new premises will be officially opened by Tallaght natives June Rodgers and Paddy Holohan, with Tallaght Person of the Year Sinead Tighe also dropping by.
The event is open to the public and will run from 10am to 6pm in unit 5 Westpark Gate, Courthouse Square, Tallaght Village – with face-painting, refreshments and service information on the menu.
For further details on the service, which is looking for more counsellors and volunteers to come on board, visit the HOPE Suicide Prevention Centre Tallaght Facebook page or call 087 1363082.
