FEATURES: St Johnston and Carrigans Social Services recently celebrated 50 years of providing services to clients in the local community.
The service was the brainwave of local district nurse Mrs Rita Pearson who was concerned with the lack welfare services for senior citizens in the area.
She along with other concerned residents formed a committee, this committee organised a Christmas Party in St Baithin’s National school for senior citizens.
As the social services committee became for organised they felt there was a need and indeed demand for Meals On Wheels, not necessarily because of poverty but to provide a nourishing meal when needs arose.
The service continues today, 50 years on with thanks to our volunteers and Lifford hospital who supply the meals.
A wide range of activities not forgetting the very well supported Christmas parties, keep the energetic committee active, while adding new activities such as Open Information days and afternoon Tea Dances, which have been held in the local Family Resource Centre, at which they invite members of other Social Services groups to attend.
These social gatherings in a rural community offer the participants a social outlet where they can meet and chat with friends in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and of course everyone enjoys a cup of tea.
They also provide other services such as Chiropody and a laundry service.
To celebrate their 50th anniversary the committee held a concert which was organised by Leslie Mathews and held in the Family Resource Centre, guest of honour was founding member Rita Pearson who cut a specially commissioned cake to mark the occasion.
The committee would like to thank the funders who have supported them, all the volunteers (some of whom have been involved for over 30yrs) and all those who help out in any way because without them the Social Services would not be able to continue to provide much needed support and assistance to those in need of some help.
Pictures by North-West Newspix.
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