Family Resource Centre National Forum

13/10/2026

Would you like to join the Sligo FRC dynamic team?

If YES....Here is the perfect way of doing so.

You will need to have all of these;

🎓Social studies/community development or equivalent 3rd level qualification
💪Strong management and organisational skills - minimum 3 years in a manager’s role with ability to lead, manage, support and supervise staff
💰Experience of funding applications, managing budgets and reporting to funders
Ability to engage effectively with communities and senior stakeholders.
👬Excellent communication and group facilitation skills
👍Understanding of disadvantaged communities and the challenges they face
🙂Positive can-do attitude, adaptable and confident with ability to motivate others
🙂Ability to work flexible hours
🚗Full clean drivers’ licence and use of a car

Closing date is Friday 30 October 2026. Click the LINK for details:
https://www.activelink.ie/vacancies/community/128777-sligo-family-resource-centre-manager-job-sharing

13/10/2026

💚 Mental Health Month | Supporting Parents and Babies

Having a baby can bring enormous joy, but it can also be an overwhelming time for parents. Sleepless nights, changes in routine, financial pressures, isolation and the demands of caring for a new baby can all affect a parent's mental health and wellbeing. Whether you're a mum, dad or another caregiver, it's important to remember that you need support too.

🏡 Your local Family Resource Centre
Many Family Resource Centres offer parent and baby groups, parenting programmes, family support and opportunities to meet other parents. These welcoming community spaces can help parents build connections with other parents, share experiences and find information about additional supports.

If you would benefit from connecting with other parents or finding out what support is available locally, contact your nearest Family Resource Centre.

🔗 Find your local FRC: https://www.familyresource.ie/family-resource-centres-regions.php

Some of the national organisations offering support to parents and caregivers are:

👶 HSE mychild.ie
Trusted information on pregnancy, babies, parenting and parental mental wellbeing.
🌐 www.mychild.ie
📞 HSE Live: 1800 700 700

💙
Confidential listening support and guidance for parents dealing with parenting challenges.
📞 01 873 3500
🌐 www.parentline.ie

💚 Cuidiú - Caring Support for Parenthood Page
Parent-to-parent support, antenatal education, breastfeeding support and opportunities to connect with other parents.
🌐 www.cuidiu.ie
✉️ [email protected]

💜 Aware
Free support and information for anyone experiencing anxiety, depression or difficulties with their mood.
📞 1800 80 48 48
🌐 www.aware.ie

💛 One Family
Information and listening support for people parenting alone, sharing parenting or separating.
📞 0818 662 212
🌐 www.onefamily.ie

If you're struggling with your mental health during pregnancy or after having a baby, speak to your GP, midwife or public health nurse. They can help you access appropriate support.

🌱 Supporting parents' wellbeing helps create a positive environment for babies to grow and thrive.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available. Contact your GP or out-of-hours GP service for urgent support.

If there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or someone else, call 112 or 999 or attend your nearest Emergency Department.

For other free, confidential emotional support, contact Samaritans Ireland on 116 123.

For further information, visit the HSE's mental health support page: https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/get-urgent-help/

12/10/2026

A wonderful reminder of what community is all about. 🥰 We are so proud of our Patron, Uachtarán na hÉireann / President of Ireland Catherine Connolly Her support for Runners shows an unwavering dedication to solidarity, friendship, and respect, inspiring us all to build a more inclusive and welcoming world through sport. 🏃‍♀️✨

10/10/2026

✨ Today is World Mental Health Day. If you or someone you know needs support navigating mental health services, talking to a support worker at your nearest Family Resource Centre (FRC) is a great place to start. 🧠💚

FRCs offer a safe, confidential, and welcoming space to access support and guide you to the right mental health pathways in your county.

📍 Find Your Nearest FRC:https://www.familyresource.ie/family-resource-centres-regions.php

📞 In need of 24/7 support today?
• YourMentalHealth Information Line: Freephone 1800 111 888
• Text 50808: Text HELLO to 50808 for free, anonymous crisis support
• Samaritans Ireland: Call 116 123

This World Mental Health Day we remind ourselves that Lived experience is expertise. The voices of people who experience mental health difficulties must do more than tell their stories. They must help shape the policies, services and decisions that affect their lives.

Learn more and see events taking place this month to mark Lived Experience 👉 https://mentalhealthreform.ie/lived-experience-day/

09/10/2026

Throughout 2025, the FRCNF continued the implementation of the ROADMAP Therapeutic Governance Framework, supporting Family Resource Centres to strengthen the governance of counselling and therapeutic services.

🧭 ROADMAP training was delivered across four regions, with 30 individual FRCs receiving direct support to strengthen therapeutic governance and service planning.

The training also created opportunities for shared learning and helped FRC staff build confidence in the safe and sustainable delivery of therapeutic services.

💚 Discover more about this work in our Annual Report 2025: Insert link to report use a plain text link - less chance of something going wrong with the link https://www.familyresource.ie/publications.php

08/10/2026

🏡 Budget 2027: 10 More Family Resource Centres Announced

The Family Resource Centre National Forum warmly welcomes Minister Norma Foley’s announcement of funding for 10 additional Family Resource Centres, bringing the National FRC Programme to 146 centres across Ireland.

💚 We are delighted for the communities that will benefit from having their own Family Resource Centre and proud that the Government continues to recognise the extraordinary value FRCs bring to communities across Ireland.

This announcement brings the total number of additional FRCs funded across the past three Budgets to 25, reflecting the importance of accessible, community-based family support, prevention and early intervention.

The expansion will enable more children, families and individuals to benefit from the support, opportunities and connections that Family Resource Centres provide.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who campaigned, contacted their local politicians, met with public representatives and helped make the case to Government for increased investment in Family Resource Centres across Ireland. We have achieved a great deal together, but there is still more work to be done in the coming year to secure the funding and resources FRCs need.

💙 Invest Now to Save Later. Fund What Works.

🔗 Read the Budget 2027 announcement:
https://wccc.ie/press-release-record-investment-of-e7-5-billion-announced-by-ministers-foley-and-higgins-to-deliver-major-childcare-cost-reductions-strengthened-disability-services-and-enhanced-child-protection-me/

07/10/2026

Before Budget 2027, The Irish Times spoke to people across Ireland about the issues they wanted the Government to address, including heating and fuel costs, housing, childcare, pensions and support for disabled people and single-parent families.

The Budget responded to some of these concerns, with a planned €550 monthly childcare fee cap from September 2027, increases to social welfare payments and the Fuel Allowance, a €500 Cost of Disability payment, and investment in housing. However, questions remain about funding for childcare providers, staffing and the longer-term support families need.

What were people hoping to see in Budget 2027, and how was the childcare announcement received?

Read the two Irish Times articles to compare the concerns raised before Budget day with the response to the measures announced.

The budget I want, researched and written by Dara Bradley, Jack White, Emmet Malone, Barry Roche,Kitty Holland and Stephen Conneely https://www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2026/10/05/what-i-want-from-the-budget-people-across-ireland-share-their-key-concerns

Muted welcome for childcare cost reduction measures including €550 cap on fees, researched and written by: Kitty Holland and James Cox
https://www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2026/10/06/muted-welcome-for-childcare-cost-reduction-measures-including-550-cap-on-fees/

Sligo mother of three wants to see ‘more strategic thinking’ in Minister’s long-term plan for childcare

07/10/2026

🧡 Kinship Care Week | 5–9 October 2026 🧡

Kinship carers are relatives and family friends who raise children when their parents are unable to care for them. Their support can help children maintain important relationships, stay connected to their family and community, and find stability and a sense of belonging during a challenging time.

Thank you to all kinship carers for the care and commitment you give to children and families.

Kinship Care Ireland offers information and support for carers and families. You can also contact your local Family Resource Centre to ask about support available in your area.
Kinship Care Ireland: www.kinshipcare.ie
Find your local FRC: https://www.familyresource.ie/family-resource-centres-regions.php

06/10/2026

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