Sister Shed launched for new skills and friendships

A NEW group aimed at empowering women and helping them to develop new skills and friendships was launched in the Belgard Community Centre on Tuesday.

Called the Belgard Sister Shed, the group will be part of a wider network of Sister Sheds which already have groups in Killinarden, Ballyfermot and Bluebell.

Sister Sheds was set up by cousins Sherin and Rachel Hughes in October 2021, when they noticed an absence of social outlets for women during the pandemic.

Since then, the Sister Sheds concept has grown, with Belgard being the newest Sister Shed in the Tallaght area.

Natasha Jordan, the manager of the Belgard Community Centre, said the aim of the Belgard Sister Shed is to allow women to form new friendships and follow their interests.

“We’re trying to bring things back into the centre bit by bit, because the centre was closed during the pandemic,” Ms Jordan told The Echo.

Alice Sweeney, Deirdre Ryan and Allison O’Dwyer on Tuesday

“We especially want to bring the ladies back in. They can make friends in the Sister Shed, and it can empower them.”

Ms Jordan said she became aware of the Sister Shed concept when she was recently doing a college course and is looking forward to bringing it to Belgard and surrounding communities.

“Although it’s the Belgard Community Centre, people from surrounding areas are welcome to come,” added Ms Jordan.

“I’ve a big passion for getting women out of their comfort zones and helping them find their interests.

“Since Covid, a lot of people are lost, but this is a way where they can make friends again.”

The beginning of the Belgard Sister Shed was kicked off by a successful launch night last Tuesday.

While Ms Jordan said the group will meet on a weekly basis, she said a firm date and time for the weekly meet-up has yet to be confirmed.

Interested parties are invited to contact her to register their interest in joining, and to let her know whether mornings or evenings suit them best.

Women who are interested in joining the new Belgard Sister Shed can contact Natasha on 085 837 1139, or by messaging the Belgard Community Centre Facebook page.