The Bungalow celebrates 30 years in style

SINCE it was established in 1990, The Bungalow has played an integral role in the community of Cherry Orchard.

The premises provides valuable support to local residents in the form of education courses, childminding, creative arts, and even a cosy place to just drop by for a cup of tea and a chat.

On Wednesday morning, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland visited The Bungalow.

The 30-year anniversary for the centre was in 2020, but like a lot of other events, it was postponed due to Covid.

Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland said: “I was delighted to accept the invitation to visit this amazing facility.

The Bungalow is woven into the fabric of the Cherry Orchard community and the support the team has provided to locals over the last three decades has been incredible.

I commend the centre’s volunteers for their tireless work, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Anne Doyle and Ann Tynan enjoying the celebrations

They represent the selflessness and generosity of spirit that so many volunteers throughout the country have demonstrated over the last year and a half.”

Back in the early 1990s when a number of housing estates were developed in the Cherry Orchard area, Dublin City Council provided the small bungalow as a resource space for those new to the locality.

With support from the Daughters of Charity, the centre became a place for local mothers to come together and develop new skills.

With childminding services provided at the centre, mothers were free to attend cookery courses, which were among the first offered at the facility.

These were later complemented by first-step education classes, which became part of The Bungalow’s programme when it became a limited company and was enrolled in the Family Resource Centre programme in 1998.

Since its inception, the building has undergone many changes, with its most recent extension in 2009.

The range of courses offered have, too, increased, with The Bungalow boasting an impressive catalogue of classes, including everything from Personal Development and Stress Management to Photography and Flower Arranging.

In addition to these courses, the centre also provides bereavement support and meal assistance schemes to those going through financial hardship.

The focus on family is evident in the summer day-trips they organise, as well as the annual Christmas pantomime outing.

One volunteer Connie Murphy made a lasting impact at the centre through her development of special “fidget blankets”, designed to offer sensory stimulation for the user.

These have been particularly effective for those suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Volunteers at the centre have also crafted numerous blankets, aprons and bags for patients at Cherry Orchard Hospital.

They have worked throughout the pandemic, providing much needed support for locals and making protective masks for local businesses and community groups.