Supporting and Empowering People
What do we do at CLDC?
To answer this, we’d like to share some stories about the people, projects, and communities that we are proud to support, and the impacts that our work has had in our local communities.
You can read more about our programs, see more recent news, or find out more about our organisation by clicking the links or exploring the top menu.
Thanks for being here!
I am writing this…with a great sense of gratitude and appreciation for all the help, preparation and assistance that was given to me by Monei and Sean [CLDC Staff].
I have great career aspirations and I am so glad that I got to encounter people who helped me realise that they are indeed attainable. During my meeting with Sean I remember us brainstorming very thoroughly and openly about the direction that I would like my career to take. We edited and fixed my curriculum vitae and he prepped me with industry questions and answers for when the opportunity of a job comes, I should then find myself ready.
A lot work was put into assisting me and for that I am eternally grateful. I can proudly say that I secured a very good job with a very reputable telecommunications company through all the work and dedication that was poured into me. I really wish people could take advantage of the resource basin that is found within CLDC for their own betterment, because I am a living testament of this.
I really hope this short testimonial does serve as proof of the fact that the work that you do is indeed valuable and that it may reach others who might find themselves at need.
“Can I formally acknowledge and Sincerely Thank you all in Clare Local Development Company. Freshtoday has grown exponentially over the last 10 years. This would not have been possible without your massive help. A massive thank you from The Mulcahy Family in Shannon and all in the Freshtoday Team.”
Fresh Today are an established market leader in the preparation and delivery of healthy school lunches throughout the country. For over 10 years we have been preparing food for the children of the Irish Deis Schools. An integral part of the Irish education system, our lunches help ensure school children throughout the country are well-fed and focused on the day ahead.
Our state-of-the-art facilities serve to reassure parents, principals and children, that their lunch is made to an exceptional standard.
It takes a village to raise a child – We are proud to be part of that.
FRESH TODAY - Participants in the CLDC Social Enterprise Network
The greatest gift we can have in our life, is to be able to give life to somebody. Days like today [the North Clare Jobs Fair]….a hub like this, a fair like this, a get-together like this, you can’t really put a price on it. It’s to bring people in, together. … It gives an opportunity to put an importance into people, and to put importance to what they’re doing.
iScoil is a program for young people, for whom the formal education system just doesn’t work. CLDC — in conjunction with Tulsa Education Support Service and Shannon/North-West Clare Family Resource Centres — support the iScoil in Shannon and Ennistymon. CLDC provides financial backing and guidance for this project, and the FRCs deliver the wrap-around support for these young people and their families who are referred by TESS. The aim is that when they are finished, we can integrate them in to Youthreach, Community Training Centres or other suitable education or training providers.
CLDC is very proud to have helped Moo'ghna Milk become a reality!
“With the low milk prices at the moment, the vending machines are saving us.”
A family-run dairy farm in north Clare is able to stay in business by selling directly to local people through milk vending machines located in a local car parks.
“We knew that we’d never be able to get this off the ground ourselves, so we approached [the LEADER team at CLDC] and told them about the plan,” says John.
In addition to bringing people local, fresh, healthy, high-quality milk, Moo’ghna milk also has a positive environmental impact.
The use of glass bottles, or bottles brought by the customers themselves, results in a significant local reduction of the amount of plastic packaging being used.
“We are eight months in now and we think we have the guts of 100,000 containers saved from the landfill,” says John.
Since September (2023), I’ve had regular meetings with Tommy. The sessions have provided me with much needed support and guidance on my career goals and aspirations. I find this type of support very beneficial to my unique set of circumstances.
I provide much needed support to three of my bachelor uncles who are each living alone with long-term progressive illnesses. Each of them is illiterate and rely on me to provide support in this area, along with other much needed assistance. The meetings with Tommy allow me to do this in a way that I can do this, while keeping my own personal career aspirations in focus, too.
I believe that every person especially the elderly in our community, deserve much-earned respect and care and comfort in these tumultuous times. The meetups with Tommy provide me with much-needed support personally to ensure I can fulfil that role in my family….but also from a career path perspective, it is keeping me focused on maintaining momentum with my career goals. I am very grateful for the service provided.
The CLDC Local Area Employment Services (LAES) team
The LAES team support people all over the county, in many ways, to overcome the barriers that keep them out of work. They meet individuals for ongoing 1:1 sessions, with a person-centred approach, and provide them with mentoring, guidance and support, as well as skill-building and employment opportunities.
(From top left: Ken, Yvonne, Renata, and Damien. Bottom row: Monei, Mary Frances, and Tommy)
October News
Join our team! Halloween party! Community clinics, community energy, and community groups in west Clare!
Celebrating Traveller Pride: A Journey Through Heritage and History in County Clare
In journalism, we learn that timeliness is key to telling your story. But it’s equally important to reflect on meaningful stories, as they continue to impact people all around us. This is one such story. Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) is a community...
Successful group of “Start Your Own Business” trainees get support with their ideas
Children’s mindfulness classes, Artists, Nail Technicians, Food producer, Tourism Business, Therapy, Fitness, Future Financial planner and a Furniture maker we all amongst the latest group to take our Start Your Own Business course.
Transition Year Students complete exciting peer-led pilot project!
In an innovative, collaborative pilot project, TY students underwent Facilitation Skills Training to engage 6th class pupils in discussions around Mobile Phone and Social Media Usage. The project culminated last week with delivery in primary schools around Ennis, including as Gaeilge!
Poetry shows us what is possible
The poem you see here was written by Daniel Meehan, a participant in our “Stepping Stones” programme. Stepping Stones is a personal development programme that supports people to develop both personally and professionally. Daniel shows us poetically the impact that...
Transforming Lives Through Horses: A Clare Social Enterprise delivers positive change
In the tranquil Clare countryside, Niamh and Máire are providing an innovative approach to personal development and mental health support, with the help of some unlikely partners - horses. Combining Niamh Harney's expertise as an equine professional with Máire...
What is a Social Enterprise??
Although there are many definitions, the bottom line is...A social enterprise is an enterprise [or business] whose objective is to achieve a social, societal or environmental impact, rather that maximising profits for its owners or stakeholders. Social enterprises...
CLDC Circular Economy Project Repurposing Windfarm Blades Wins International “Best New Initiative” Award
The International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) announced on Friday that the Irish pilot project “Repurposing Windfarm Blades,” by Clare Local Development Company, has been named as the Best New Initiative (BNI), in the prestigious UIAA 2023 Mountain...
Clare case study highlights the benefits of Rural Social Scheme for local community
This year, CLDC contributed a case study for our Rural Social Scheme (RSS) program, as part of a national review process. We were proud and happy to showcase the good work that has happened through the RSS program, by showcasing the benefits of one project for the...
Summer camps support nearly 140 children from refugee families and Direct Provision
Clare Local Development Company was delighted to host 5 summer camp programs in Clare this year. These camps focused on improving children’s English through a variety of activities, making new friends, staying active and having loads of fun. Each camp we got to meet...
CLDC Staff give moving interview on ClareFM
"When you think that life is over, in this moment you find people who will show you that NO, you are ALIVE, you must live. You must start. You must live your life." We are very proud of our staff who spoke on ClareFM this morning! Have a listen here (11min) to hear...
Refugee Week Fun Run builds solidarity, friendship and respect
Sanctuary Runners came together to run in solidarity at Lee's Road last Sunday for the very first Refugee Week Fun Run-Midwest. With over 70 attendees of all ages and abilities from across Clare, the midwest, and the world, it was a gathering of warmth, welcomes and...
Ukrainian Response Projects: Children’s Holiday & Festival of Culture!
On International Children's Day, a holiday was held for Ukrainian children living in County Clare. On June 1, about fifty Ukrainian children came to a holiday organized by Clare Local Development Company at a children's entertainment center in Ennis. Rides, pizza, ice...
Tus & RSS – Community Impacts in Corofin
Tus & RSS (Rural Social Scheme) are the types of programs that tend to tip away on their own without much press or hoopla. But the people employed through the Tus & RSS schemes are often the people who do the physical labour in a community that keeps it functional and...
Clare Traveller Community Development Project celebrates success at launch of Strategic Plan
"True community development is about trusting communities to develop their own solutions and pathways."The above words were spoken by Minister Joe O’Brien, as the Clare Traveller Community Development Project (CDP) launched their Strategic Plan yesterday. At CLDC, we...
Impacts from LEADER program 2016-2023
CLDC rolled out a very successful LEADER program from 2016 - 2023. Have a look at the impact, in numbers! LEADER is an EU wide rural development programme supporting the growth and development of rural communities and businesses, and protecting the rural environment....
Spreading Good News: Chapter One
“Rejoice in small things and they will continue to grow.”
(Slaven Vujic)
Better Together
Launch of the Clare Social Enterprise Network