Nás na Ríogh Housing Association · NNRHA

Nás na Ríogh Housing Association (NnRHA) is a voluntary, not for profit association with charitable status. It was established in 2000 to address the isolation of older persons (who are not managing to remain independent in their own homes) by providing smaller units of accommodation in the heart of the town with onsite intergenerational facilities. 53 one bedroom apartments will be opened in spring 2011 in the centre of Naas town on the grounds of the old Convent of Mercy.

McAuley Place is creating incredible opportunities to volunteer locally and in this way is enabling active citizenship. We value volunteers as individuals who bring a unique contribution to the group and the community with whom they work. Currently volunteering opportunities are available in the following positions:

 Receptionist
 Landscapers/Gardeners
 Catering Assistants
 Information Display Designer
 Administrative Assistants
 Event Co-Coordinators
 Cleaning Assistants

Volunteering opportunities in the future will continue to be varied and cover a range of different activities, from
hospitality, to home visits; getting involved in intergenerational and cultural events; gardening; fundraising; assisting at arts workshops; the list is endless. Volunteering adds to your C.V. It improves your own life and the lives of others. Your time is a valuable resource that can be shared with the whole community.

Anyone can volunteer. It does not matter whether you are young or old, male or female, in paid work or not, there is something you can do. You may wish to volunteer for a single event, or a few times a year when you have spare time, or perhaps you would prefer to give a regular commitment of several hours per week or even volunteer on a full time basis. If you have a special skill that is not reflected in the positions outlined that you would like to contribute to McAuley Place, please contact us to see how your talents can best be used. We will strive to help you to work within your own area of interest and to aid your self development.

Contact Information
For more information, including information on volunteer positions, please contact:
Tom Walsh, Naas Community Centre Manager
Tel: (045) 883 599
Email: manager@naascommunitycentre.ie

Naas Community Centre is a new facility open up in the last 18 months with the objective of providing facilities to community focused organisations.  Reporting to the Community Centre Manager the requirements of the successful candidate will include:

- To assist in the smooth running of Naas Community Centre.
- To welcome people to the Centre and provide a safe and clean environment
- To prepare rooms for various groups.
- To handle out of office hours queries and bookings
- To assist with activities that promote the Community Centre

Experience an advantage but not essential. It is anticipated that the work will be for nineteen hours per week with a flexible pattern of work. 
This is a Community Service program offered by Nás na Ríogh Housing Association (NNRHA) and funded by Pobal. NNRHA is an equal opportunities employer.

Please send your application form to:
Community Centre Manager
Naas Community Centre
Mc Auley Place
Sallins Road
Naas
www.nnrha.ie 

 Closing date  19/02/2010.

Minister Aine Brady has been informed by Minister for Housing, Michael Finneran, T.D. that €7.4m has been allocated to NnRHA for the development of 53 sheltered housing units for older persons at McAuley Place, Naas.

A golf classic in aid of the Community Centre has been organised for Monday 31st August 2009 in Craddockstown Golf Club. The club has generously provided the course free of charge for this fundraising event.

The format will be a four-person team event/scramble and the cost to enter a team is:

• €300 per team (8am–10am early bird tee time)
• €400 per team (10am–4pm tee time)
• Tee-box sponsorship is also available for €100 per tee-box

To reserve a team or tee-box, contact Tom Walsh, Manager of Naas Community Centre on 045 883599 or manager@naascommunitycentre.ie.

Payment for teams and tee-boxes to be paid in advance. Cheques to be made payable to Community Centre Golf Classic.

Golf Classic Sub-Committee: Fr. John Brickley, Fr. Jimmy Doyle, Frank Cleary, Tim O’Connell, Tom Walsh, Paddy Power, Tom Keightley.

The convent building was the subject of a recent work by Dublin-based photographic artist Emma Birkett. ‘Broken Images’ — a striking collection of hauntingly beautiful photographs taken in the slowly decaying surroundings of the old Sisters of Mercy building in Naas — was exhibited in The Joinery, Stoneybatter in May. A selection of images from the work can be seen on the artist’s website.

'Broken Images' by Emma Birkett

Link: Emma Birkett Photography.

FUNDING of E7.4million for the Nás na Ríogh housing project at Old Convent, Sallins Road, for the provision of 53 units of accommodation has finally been approved. The accommodation will be provided for older people in Naas and the surrounding area.

The accommodation units are being provided by Nás Na Ríogh Voluntary Housing Association. The Minister for Housing, Michael Finneran, made the announcement and it is hoped will make a significant contribution in meeting the needs of older people in Naas and the surrounding area.

Mayor Seamie Moore said the development would provide accommodation for people who may be living in less suitable accommodation.

“Some people may be living alone in isolated rural areas and may be in fear of their own safety and others may be living in areas which are subjected to anti social behaviour. This new development will provide safe, secure accommodation for older people. All those involved in the project are to be congratulated,” said Mr Moore.

Read article
Article source: Leinster Leader

An application for funding for the 53 apartments was lodged with Kildare County Council on Wednesday 18 February.

Once approved, the application will be brought to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government for final approval.

The Community Centre was officially opened by Sr. Bosco on November 1st.

The Community Centre is now being managed by Tom Walsh. Sheila Brady has also joined the team as a volunteer bookkeeper.

We are grateful for the recent donation of a defibrilator by J.F. Dunne Insurances Ltd. Staff have been trained in CPR and use of the defibrilator. The chairpersons of the student councils of St. Mary’s College Naas (Sarah Dudley) and CBS  Naas (Stephen Wolfe) also participated in the CPR training.

The use of the centre is growing daily. Any groups that wish to avail of the centre can contact Tom at 045 883599.

Attached below are some press clippings of the event from the Leinster Leader.

Sister Bosco cutting the ribbon at the official opening of Naas Community Centre (photo: Leinster Leader)

Members of the NNRHA Committee at the official opening of Naas Community Centre (photo: Leinster Leader)

The Nás na Ríogh Housing Association received its final instalment of Sherry FitzGerald O’Reilly’s €10,000 donation towards The Mc Auley Place project last week.

The sheltered housing facility and Community Centre project was chosen by Sherry FitzGerald O’ Reilly as a major beneficiary in its ‘Care For The Community’ programme three years ago.

This year’s donation will be used towards the chapel roof fund. The replacement of the roof of the nuns’ chapel on the site means that the building will be used as a venue for artistic events such as art exhibitions, music recitals, old time dancing and multi cultural events. “Sherry FitzGerald’s contribution is most welcome and very timely,” said Margharita Solon, Chairperson of Nas Na Riogh Housing Association. “The Community Centre is already being availed of by a wide variety of groups so our next step is to see to the chapel restored to its former glory and in use in the community.”

Read article
Article source: Leinster Leader

The chapel roof is currently being restored. Naas Lions club have funded most of this work.

Further donations would be warmly received. If you wish to donate to this project, click here.