Kerry’s first Women’s Shed up and running thanks to Phoenix Women’s Centre in Tralee – Independent.ie

The new Phoenix Womens Centre and Shed, located in the Pipers Band Hall on Matt Talbot Road in Tralee, held its first gathering on Thursday and organisers are already looking forward to adding a new dimension to the excellent work of the Centre.

he Phoenix Womens Centre at Market Place will continue as normal to provide its full range of supports in counselling, advocacy, confidential phone line, and signposting services for women.

However, the Phoenix Womens Centre and Shed is an extension of this service, and a place for women to meet in a social environment.

Arange of pursuits such as expanding Empowerment and Personal Development programmes, Return to Work Courses, IT Skills, Walking Group, Nutrition classes, Yoga sessions, Drumming, Art Therapy, Self-Care Workshops, and various talks on women's issues, will be a feature of the Shed.

The Mens Shed model is already extremely popular in Kerry and around Ireland. Currently, there is 40 Womens Sheds in Ireland, a number that continues to grow.

Were very excited about it. Womens Sheds have been springing up fast in recent years. By linking up with Womens Sheds around Ireland, this will help us to network and grow our own Shed, said Sheila Martin of the Phoenix Womens Centre.

Sheila has also been in contact with Kerry County Council to explore the possibility of acquiring a more permanent site for the Womens Shed.

The Shed is about improvingthe quality of life of women. We have many women who are living in isolation, retired or unemployed, she said.

"The idea is to be inclusive and improve a whole range of factors in womens lives through the Shed. We have an excellent program called Rise and Rejuvenate that has a wide range of activities and training for women, Sheila added.

All are welcome to visit the Phoenix Womens Shed every Thursday between 10:30am to 1:30pm at the Pipers Band Hall, Matt Talbot Road.

A public meeting will be held for women interested in joining the shed on July 7 (same time and venue). This is an opportunity for women to get involved and give feedback about the Shed.

The official launch of Phoenix Womens Shed is on July 15 at 6:30pm at Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee. Tickets, 25.00.

For more information, call 066 9130430. Email: info@phoenixwomenscentre.ie,

See the rest here:

Kerry's first Women's Shed up and running thanks to Phoenix Women's Centre in Tralee - Independent.ie