Grant-making welfare charity Elizabeth Finn Care is extending its reach to the Republic of Ireland this month, marked by a launch event held in Dublin on Tuesday 12 June 2007.
Elizabeth Finn Care is the charity dedicated to providing emotional and financial support to those who have suddenly fallen below the poverty line, despite previously being self-sufficient.
Many of those helped by the charity are unable to work as a result of personal tragedy, family breakdown, injury, or physical or mental illness. Others are struggling to make ends meet in retirement. Elizabeth Finn Care works to reduce the effect that poverty has on these people’s lives.
As the Elizabeth Finn Care’s Regional Coordinator for Ireland, Finbarr Fitzpatrick explains: “We understand that living on a low income can impact on all aspects of an individual’s well-being and we know that the people we help often have no-one else to turn to. With over 300,000 in the Republic who may be eligible for our help we’re glad to be extending our support here.”
The help provided by the charity is carefully tailored to meet each individual’s needs. Financial grants vary from one-off payments for essentials like a replacement fridge or household repairs, to longer term support to help people rebuild their lives. Elizabeth Finn Care always ensures that individuals are receiving their full entitlement of benefits before helping them further.
“Every person’s circumstances are different,” says Finbarr Fitzpatrick. “So we work hard to put together an individualised package of care. This is made possible by the brilliant work of our volunteers, who take time to visit people in their homes, one on one, so they can get a really clear picture of what’s needed.”
As well as providing financial support, the charity focuses on helping to rebuild self-esteem, restore hope and help people feel part of society again.
Wherever possible, Elizabeth Finn Care will work to help people back into employment, safeguarding valuable skills and experience for the future. Where those it helps are retired, or have a disability or long-term sickness that means they are unable to return to work, Elizabeth Finn Care’s support helps them to live as normal a life as possible.
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Notes to editors
· The formal launch of Elizabeth Finn Care’s work in the Republic of Ireland will be held on the evening of Tuesday 12 June 2007 at the Royal Irish Academy, Dawson Street, Dublin. If you would be interested in attending the event, please contact Kirsty Lee on 020 7700 6952 or email kirsty@amazonpr.co.uk
· If you would like to speak to the charity’s Regional Coordinator for Ireland, or would like any more information about Elizabeth Finn Care and its work, please contact Kirsty Lee on 020 7700 6952 or email kirsty@amazonpr.co.uk
· Elizabeth Finn Care is the 14th largest grant-making organisation in the UK. In 2006 its grants totalled £2 million (Directory of Social Change, 2006)
· The people helped by the charity are unable to work as a result of personal tragedy, family breakdown, injury, or physical or mental illness.
· Elizabeth Finn Care works to reduce the effect that poverty has on their lives by providing financial grants and on-going emotional support, with a view to returning valuable education and experience to the workplace.
