Vladimir Matsak
IEM Programme Co-ordinator
New Communities Supports
Supports to Migrants, Refugees, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and International Protection Applicants
What is Supports for New Communities?
We deliver a number of programmes that are focused on supporting migrants, refugees, beneficiaries of temporary protection, international protection applicants and members of the Roma community that are living in Waterford.
These programmes provide essential information on living in Ireland, offer integration supports, access to skills to improve your job prospects and English language classes. We also organise social events and provide advocacy and health supports.
Our programme staff work together to ensure that we provide the best possible wrap around supports depending on your individual needs.
Our programmes and services supporting new communities are detailed below with key staff contact information. If you are looking for support but unsure which service will suit you please contact our Head Office on 051 841740
Integration & Employment of Migrants Programme (IEM):
As someone who arrived in Ireland only a year ago, I had absolutely no idea how things were organised here. Through this programme I gained not only work experience but something even more valuable — I now have a “work family”. These are people I am very grateful to, who supported me, helped me, and welcomed me into the team. This means a lot to me.
Toyin (Oloruntoyin) Adeleke
Employment Liaison Worker
Intercultural Health Programme:
The Intercultural Health Programme facilitates access to healthcare for International Protection Applicants and Programme Refugees.
Staff link with other Buíon programmes and local services to support the needs of migrants based on the social determinants of health: ‘the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes: the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life.’
The Programme supports International Protection Applicants resident in IPAS centres to access healthcare across County Waterford.
Conor O’Brien
Community Intercultural Health Worker
SICAP New Arrivals Programme:
The SICAP New Arrivals Programme offers a range of supports to individuals and families settling in Waterford.
This includes support to prepare a CV, find work, access job related training, improve job interview skills or attend college.
We also offer English language classes for all levels, from beginner to proficiency, as well as cultural orientation and integration events.
Olha Rudyka
English Language Support Coordinator
Alina Kundukova
New Arrivals Development Worker (City)
Ruslan Ihnatenko
New Arrivals Support Coordinator
Connecting Communities Programme:
This programme focuses on connecting new arrivals in Waterford with existing services and supports.
The programme also aims to counter misinformation and dis-information by bringing people together for social and creative programmes to support integration and confidence building.
Gabriela Burnett
Connected Communities Development Officer
Atelier Roma Project:
The Atelier Roma Project delivers one-to-one and group training, education and personal development supports to enhance progression to employment for participants from Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Ireland. Participants attend programmes, courses and advocacy clinics that support their access to Healthcare, Education, Housing and Employment Services.
Peter Cooke
Atelier Programme Support Worker
Jim Bruton
Jim Bruton
Roma Health Worker:
Buíon’s Roma Intercultural Health Worker facilitates access to both health information and services for Roma individuals and families.
The health worker works closely with internal Buíon programmes and local & national services to support the health needs of Roma by focusing on the social determinants of health; ‘the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes: the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life.’
This enables a focus on supporting safety, stability, access to services and long-term wellbeing. Practical examples of this approach can be supporting individuals and families to;
- access a GP and relevant health information
- access welfare payments
- access housing
- engage in social connections
- learn essential life skills such as healthy cookery
- engage in lifelong learning programmes to increase employment prospects.
The Buíon Roma Intercultural Health Programme covers Waterford City and County.
Deborah Whelan
Community Intercultural Health Worker