A colourful kick start to Social Inclusion Week

LOCALS across Dun Laoghaire Rathdown have been invited to take part in this year’s Social Inclusion Week, which takes place from October 13.

During the week, visitors will be offered the opportunity to experience a celebration of the great work being undertaken in the county with the added promise that there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

The launch of Social Inclusion Week took place on the newly opened Civic Square at the Metals in Dún Laoghaire last week.

Guest speakers at the launch included the cathaoirleach, Cllr Tom Joyce, Mary Davis, President and Managing Director of Special Olympics and Dan Hurst, representing the Network for Older People.

Cllr Joyce said:

“Social Inclusion Week is a wonderful opportunity for community, State and other organisations to highlight the excellent work being undertaken to eliminate disadvantage and improve the quality of life for all residents of our county.

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Last year, over 70 different organisations and community groups highlighted the great work that they are doing and this year Social Inclusion Week is expected to be even bigger.

Some of the events returning this year include the DLR Community 5K which opens Social Inclusion Week on Saturday, October 13.

Now in its fourth year, DLR Sports Partnership and partner organisations will host the DLR Community 5K in Kilbogget Park. See www.dlrsportspartnership.ie for further details and to register for the event.

This year will also see the return of Inclusion Fusion, with acts from around the county performing in the Mill Theatre in Dundrum on Thursday, October 18.

Some of the acts featured will include Phaze 3 Dance School, RehabCare Dún Laoghaire, Sallynoggin All Stars, Southside Travellers and the UNITAS dancers.

Tickets are available directly from the Mill Theatre, Dundrum. Visit www.milltheatre.ie for more information.

There will be plenty of opportunities to access information about services and supports that are available to people in the community at the HSE and partners Community Health Fair. The Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Citizen’s Information Service on Social Welfare rights and entitlements, among many others, will be hosting information sessions.

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Volunteer Centre will be hosting their annual volunteer awards and DLRCOCO Environment Department will also be celebrating young environmentalists at their awards presentation and green workshop.

For those with an interest in sport Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Outreach Project will host an inter agency Gaelic Football Tournament.

To find out more about these events and the others taking place during Social Inclusion Week 2012 go to www.dlrcoco.ie/socialinclusion