​New Branch Office For Traveller Movement in Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre

The Galway Traveller Movement recently opened a new Branch office within the Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre, expanding from their existing space in Headford Road in Galway city
 
Currently the charitable organisation covers the county overseeing many programmes advocating for equality, social justice and rights for the Traveller community. Some of their recent achievements include founding the Miselor Festival celebrating Nomadic culture, their ‘Build Homes, Build Health, Build Hope’ campaign against Traveller inequities post-pandemic, and winning an Aontas Star Award in 2021.
 
The Ballinasloe branch's leading service, included under the HSE funded Peer Led Primary Health Care programme, sees team members collaborating with nearby health services and responding to healthcare and wellness needs of the region’s Traveller community.
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Currently 10 members are working part-time on this programme servicing Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Athenry, Portumna and Ballygar. The local team will also help in conducting campaigns and assisting in organising events in town.
 
Meanwhile, together with Galway Rural Development, the branch held a sponsored walk fundraiser for St. Teresa’s Special School. The event was organised by Geraldine Ward and the county team of Community Health workers, alongside Karyn Gavin of GRD.
 
Starting in the centre of town, the participants made their way towards St. Teresa’s in Creagh brandishing blue outfits to support autism awareness. A crowd of parents, pupils and teachers welcomed the walkers as they entered the courtyard where they were offered refreshments. A raffle was held with multiple prizes to be won, and the day concluded with some words by Geraldine Ward, Karyn Gavin, Margaret O’Riada, and St Teresa’s principal Anita O’Reilly.
 
Together through funding cards and the raffle, the event brought in €3,500 donated to the school. “It was an incredible day focused on inclusion and increasing awareness of Autism in our community, and the incredible work of services and supports like St Teresa’s Special School” mentions Margaret O’ Riada, Joint Coordinator with Galway Traveller Movement.
 
Currently the team are hiring a new coordinator to oversee the Peer led Primary Health Care Programme in South-East Galway. The full job description can be found under a listing on Activelink online with applications sent to [email protected], and the deadline to apply is June 5. For all other general queries regarding the organisation, you can reach out by mobile at 091 765390 or email at [email protected].