1. Newsletter
April 2011
Issue 43
Mount Drummond Court, Mount Drummond Avenue, Harold’s Cross, D6w
www.projectgateway.blogspot.com
The views expressed or otherwise stated in this newsletter are the views of the contributors and are not necessarily the views of the Gateway Project.
Stigma Workshop Minutes of the Members Meeting of the Gateway Project on the 14th March 2011, the Community Room,
by Mary & Helen Mount Drummond Court, Mount Drummond Avenue, Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6W.
I was at the stigma at gateway on February Chair: William C & Martha G co-chaired
16. I really enjoyed it, I didn’t know anything Minutes: Fionn F
about stigma until February 16. We all just Members Present: 10
sat around on chairs and the organizers were Meeting Start: 1.30 Time Meeting Finished: 2.30
John and Martha they were very good. We
were all able to say what we thought about Welcome: William welcomed the members.
stigma. I was confused about stigma then Minutes: The Minutes of the members meeting of the 14th February 2011 was passed. Matters Arising: Ques-
when people started to talk I could under- tions were asked as to why all active members were not in attendance for the meeting. This was to be dis-
stand a little better. I hope we will be able to cussed later in the meeting as per the agenda.
continue with this workshop as it is very
informative. I want to learn more about it as Advisory Committee Feedback: Valerie M provided feedback on recent developments and requested mem-
it was a great help to me. We all had differ- bers become more involved in the project to help Gateway to become self-sustaining. This included mention
ent views about it but that was good as we of the role of the Community Development Worker and the potential for this position to be taken over by
could learn from one another. qualified members in the long term future. An invitation was made to members to join the Advisory Commit-
tee to support the running of the project. Valerie also responded to questions and mentioned that new
We also learned that stigma doesn’t just
premises have been identified. Martha G mentioned that funding was still lacking despite having identified
effect people with mental health but other
new premises.
groups for example, the traveler community,
gay community, people with addiction issues, Yoga & Indian Head Massage contributions update: Fionn F provided an update on the accounts relating to
poor people ect. While the group was facili- yoga and Indian head massage as per members’ request of last meeting. Fionn reported that contributions
tated by John and Martha it was really the are improving since the start of the €2.00 contribution. Fionn noted the following: on day 1 (14 th February) 1
members who came up with the ideas and person out of 5 had paid the contribution, on day 2 (21st February) 3 out of 7 people had paid, and on day 3
examples of stigma. We really didn’t realize (7th March) 5 out of 6 people had paid. She said this showed an improvement. Indian Head Massage showed
how much we already knew. This was clearly 100% of members paid for their treatments. Members discussed strategies for ensuring 100% of people paid
evident in an exercise we did on responding as some felt annoyed they were paying when others weren’t. Fionn will continue to monitor and will report
to stigma. We looked at the ways we re- back to members at April’s meeting. Member Decision: It was agreed that a yoga participant would collect
spond to stigma maybe through something the contributions at the start of the yoga class and tick people’s names off the list from now on. For Indian
like avoidance or silence and then we looked Head Massage, it was decided that the contribution jar would be left beside the therapists to allow members
at how we would like to develop our re- to contribute before their treatment.
sponses more. Even though stigma can lead
Member Research: Martha G provided information on plans for conducting research in Gateway as to how
to serious discussion it was actually good fun
useful the project is for members and areas to improve or look in to for the future. Martha explained this
too. It also let down guard/ barrier on
research will be carried out by Gateway researchers who are members themselves. A trial questionnaire will
stigma. We worked as a group but also a lot
be piloted by Gateway researchers in the coming months. They are seeking 6 members to interview on a one-
in pairs. I think people felt more at ease
to-one basis during drop-in. The results of the trial research will not be used for anything but will help the
discussing the topic with one another by the
researchers to get practice.
end of the workshop. Thence we would be
able to pass on this positive openness re- Speaker for April: Members Decision: Members agreed they did not want to invite Malachi McCoy from the
garding stigma to fellow gateway members Basin Club at this time. It was noted that the Basin Club is currently closed to new members. Instead mem-
that did not attend. bers requested that Tom O’Brien, principal psychologist with Eve Holdings be invited to provide an informa-
We all had a very enjoyable day and it tion talk for April. Declan F agreed to liaise with Fionn F in order to arrange this.
revealed to us a lot about stigma. Thanks to Pool Competition April: Members discussed the last pool competition and there was mention of organisa-
John and Martha for facilitating the work- tional and timing problems last time. Declan F suggested a new competition take place on a Thursday rather
shop. We would really love if more work- than Monday to maximise the number of games available to members. Declan F will organise the new tour-
shops of this type were run again so we nament and will seek help from other members to do this. No date was fixed.
could learn even more on the topic.
Members’ discussion on member attendance at Gateway: Tabled for next meeting in April due to time con-
Mary Q & Helen M straints.
Creative Writing Class Members’ discussion on visiting members in hospital: Tabled for next meeting in April due to time con-
straints.
is on Friday afternoons from
2pm-4pm in Mount Drum- AOB
mond Court from 25th Duration of Members’ Meeting: Members discussed that the duration of the monthly meeting tended to run
over the intended 30 minutes. Therefore members agreed the meeting should be scheduled for 1 hour but
March. The tutor,
start earlier at 1.15pm from now on.
George Ferguson, will provide
guidance around the various St Patrick’s Day: Fionn F noted that drop in would be closed for Paddy’s Day and suggested members chat
informally about meeting up outside of drop in for the day instead.
genres of writing. Explore the
writer in you… Rathmines Pembroke Community Partnership: Martha noted that RPCP will be conducting their consultation
By the way, the class is free with Gateway members on 23rd March 2011 from 2-5pm in Wynnefield Road as part of the strategic planning
process. There will also be Walk-in consultations for members of the community in the Swan Shopping Cen-
and open to all! tre on 24th March 2011 from 10-5pm.
Next Members’ Meeting scheduled for 11th April 2011 from 1.15-2.15pm.

2. Gateway is a member led project!
Please remember to let us know if any of your A warm welcome to all new members of Gateway
contact details change so we can update our & a Happy Easter to everyone!
records asap. Thank You!
Minutes of the Members Meeting of the Gateway Project on the 14 th
Gateway Advisory March 2011, the Community Room, Mount Drummond Court, Mount
Committee Reps Drummond Avenue, Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6W.
Our current advisory committee
representatives are Valerie M,, Chair: Valerie
Gregoria G, Michael H and Paul J. Minutes: Enda M
Their photos are displayed at the Members Present: 15
drop in if you wish to chat with them Meeting Start: 1.30 Time Meeting Finished: 2.50
on any issues around the Gateway Welcome: Valerie welcomed the members.
Project.
Minutes: The Minutes of the members meeting of the 10th January 2011was passed. Matters
Arising: A. Martha G checked in with members who were missing from Christmas meet-
ups who said they’d be there, ll was well with them, something personal had come up B.
There is a contribution box at Gateway. If you can It was noted that Amnesty International are coming on the 21st February to talk about
afford a small amount of money you can leave it there. their mental health campaign, and Citizens Information are coming to speak on 28 th
Please note that this is completely voluntary. Any March. Well done to the organisers and entrants of the pool competition and to Declan F
money collected contributes to Gateway activities who won the overall competition and Richard who was his opponent in the final.
Welcome of New Project Worker: Enda M was welcomed as the new project worker.
“There’s something About Gateway”: Martha G is looking over the document, it is nearly
Yoga completed. It was agreed it would be a good document with regards to getting funding
This ancient practice is considered essential to and that copies of the final document will be available to members in drop in. There was
a discussion as to whether people’s names should be included in the document, Martha
promote a healthy body & healthy mind. .. to contact those involved to see should they be included. Fionn F recommended mem-
Classes take place on Mondays between bers read it for themselves. The Head of Community Development Department at NUI
Maynooth suggested John K do two other versions of the document: a Human Rights
3.45pm-4.45pm (excepting the last version and a Community Development version. This was agreed by the members. John
Monday of the month when we have was formally thanked for his work in putting together this document.
€2.00 Contribution for Yoga and Indian Head Massage: It was suggested a €2.00 contribution
Indian Head Massage instead.)
could be introduced for members who avail of yoga and Indian head massage. A €2.00
Our friendly teacher Caroline blends a healthful mix contribution was considered fair, as members would pay much more than this outside of
of stretching, breath-work and relaxation into her Gateway. There was a discussion over whether Gateway should put a contribution box or
whether the money should be collected in person. It was agreed to have a separate con-
classes... Why not try it for yourself? tribution box for yoga and Indian head massage and that if people aren’t paying then
collecting in person could be considered. It was agreed new members would get a month
free to see if they like it. Action: It was agreed a sign would be produced. William agreed
to do this. This signs wording was agreed to be “Members contribution for each yoga and
Indian head massage to be €2.00 each. Contribute more if you wish”. Fionn F will keep a
note of the contributions and report back to the members meeting on the progress
Is Gateway a Safe Place of Non-Judgement and Respect?”: Members agreed it was, although
some members had noticed a few worrying comments it was agreed people should bring
up anything worrying. It was mentioned sexist jokes aren’t funny and are upsetting for
some. It was agreed that if you can deal with yourself then do, but otherwise talk to
somebody else, not necessarily a project worker, it could be another member.
An Arts & Crafts class takes place each Thursday Gateway is member-led: It was mentioned that the Gateway Project is member-led, that the
between 2.30pm-4.30pm. We paint, tie-dye, make 3D project belongs to all the members and that a project workers job is to support members
to run the project. An example of where members could get involved is welcoming new
models as well as many more excellent artistic ap-
members and letting them know what happens within Gateway. This will be discussed
proaches. If you would like to explore your creative more at the next meeting. This happens in the basin club and it is respectful to new mem-
side come along on Thursdays and give it a try!! bers.
AOB
Gateway Social Events: Toast Meet Ups it was mentioned that lack of money may be prevent-
POST YOUR ARTICLES ing people from attending social events. Martha to look at this with members in the next
Gateway Newsletter, couple of months. It was also noted that there were no social events happen at the
C/O Rathmines Pembroke moment – this was not due to staff shortage but lack of interest in the social events.
Community Partnership, Fundraising: A member said that she was going to do the mini marathon to raise funds for the
11 Wynnefield Road, project and it was suggested by another member that interested members could join the
nfo Rathmines, Dublin 6. funding subcommittee.
Tel: (01) 4965558 John Kelly: John Kelly was formally thanked for his work during his placement and John asked
Tel: (085)7521220 if anyone had any constructive criticism or comments on his placement to chat to him.
E-mail: gateway@rpcp.ie
Things for next month’s agenda: Discussions around people attending more regularly and
visiting members in hospital.
Next Members’ Meeting scheduled for 14th March 2011 from 1.30-2.30pm.
All members are welcome to get involved in producing the newsletter. Contact a staff member if you are interested in being involved.