Spraoí saves the
day
29.06.21
CARNDONAGH Social
Enterprise, Spraoí agus Spórt, saved the day after
school principals appealed for help. Under Covid
restrictions, school tours are only permitted if they
stay local, so the schools asked for help to develop
exciting and engaging days out.
Spraoi agus Spórt created an exciting programme
involving fun activities at their centre and other local
venues. A total of nine schools took part and 538
children got their big day out.
"These children would have missed out on their school
tour if we had not stepped in," said Helen Nolan, Spraoi
agus Spórt Co-Founder & CEO.
"Our staff got creative and put together five options
for safer small groups, so classes could remain in their
bubbles and each pupil would get more attention. We also
wanted the local economy to benefit, so we engaged with
local business and activity owners too." |
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Local school children enjoying ice cream
cones at Doherty's in Carndonagh. |
The tour options included
Build a Teddy Bear, Design a T-Shirt, Surfing, Fab Lab
and Park Games. Helen explains: "It's important to
highlight the fact that as a social enterprise, we
believe in the importance of working with others in our
community. Doherty's (Fintan's) provided the ice-cream
cones and The Diamond Cafe provided the lunches. We
worked with Inishowen Surf School to provide the surfing
lessons and BBQ and John Gibbons organised the park
games and a treasure hunt."
"Our school tours also catered particularly well for
children with a disability, Spraoí has extensive
experience delivering disability services and has
specialised resources such as a state-of-the-art sensory
room."
The tours also provided children with a great taster
session for what Spraoi offers during the holidays and
after school throughout the year.
"This initiative is a real living example of how a
community can be stronger together," said Helen. "We saw
local schools buying into the importance of supporting
their local social enterprise. We saw Spraoi delivering
a top-class service, supported by the other businesses
in the town." |
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Local school children enjoyed the Build a
Teddy Bear activity. |
The primary schools that
took part were Glentogher National School, Scoil
Cholmchille Glengad, Cloontagh National School, St.
Brigid's National School, Glenmakee, Scoil Phadraig
Rashenny, Scoil Treasa Naofa Malin, St Patricks's Boys'
School, Carndonagh, Urblereagh National School and Scoil
Naomh Treasa Tiernasligo.
The teachers seemed very impressed. "We loved every part
of the day. It was fun filled from start to finish,"
said one teacher from Scoil Treasa Naofa Malin. "This
tour was excellent, one of the best we ever went on,"
added a teacher from Scoil Cholmchille Glengad.
Find out more about Spraoi agus Spórt and their services
to the local community by emailing
info@spraoiagussport.ie or visit their website at
www.spraoiagussport.ie . |
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