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Sheffield study is aimed at giving the Irish a voice
 The
problems linked with the divergent nature of the Irish in Sheffield are
behind a new drive to highlight the needs and aspirations of the community
in and around the city.
Irish voluntary sector representatives The Federation of Irish Societies
(FIS) and the newly-formed Sheffield Irish Steering Group have commissioned
the first ever research project into issues including health, welfare,
housing and culture.
Sheffield Hallum University’s Dr Rionach Casey will conduct the
study from the high profile Centre for Regional and Economic Social Research.
She said: “I think that first of all the city is a very disparate
community. They are very spread-out so unlike other areas like Manchester
and Liverpool they are not clustered.
“We also have very small numbers of Irish in the region compared
and relevant to other centres of Irish population.
“This means that there are issues with services and there is also
the predicament about not having a focal point because currently we have
no Irish community centre.
“Therefore people don’t actually have a physical focus for
meeting.
“I think there are also things that are common to other Irish people
across Britain in terms of demographics and an ageing population.
“But I wouldn’t want to pre-empt the findings — we are
very open to finding out new things which is one of the purposes.”
The study will also show how the needs of the Irish are currently being
met by existing statutory and voluntary sector providers.
And the research team will aim to give all sectors of the community a
voice whether they are Irish-born people of Irish or dual heritage, young
or old, Traveller or settled.
The report is due out next spring, and the quality of the research will
depend on the active engagement of the community.
Dr Casey is hopeful that the study can act as a catalyst for increased
funding to give the Irish in Sheffield the services they deserve.
She said: “It provides a basis for evidence which I think service
providers will respond to.
“A similar piece of work has never been done so this will be a starting
point. It will point to certain specific needs that people might have.
“It’s not the kind of report we think will be written and
never looked at again because we are very keen on disseminating the research
and we would hope to present it to a workshop of service providers.
“We also want to publicise the findings and this will mean a positive
outlook for the Irish in Sheffield.
“For a while now there has been a lull in community activity so
the steering group are hoping it will be the launch pad for a reinvigorated
Irish community representation.”
FIS community development worker Rita Corrigan said: “We were very
pleased by the high calibre of tenders we received and are looking forward
to working with Dr Rionach Casey and her team from Sheffield Hallam University.”
There are several ways that people can become involved — including
taking part in a focus group or one-to-one interview.
n Contact Dr Rionach Casey on 0114 2252 987 or Gerry Kelly on 0798 6019
716 for more details. |
