Staff

Galway City & County Family Support Worker

WRDATF

Maria Powers provides support to those negatively affected by a family member’s or loved one’s drug or alcohol abuse.  This service offers the opportunity to discuss the needs of the person and family affected, to receive relevant information on alcohol and drug topics, to avail of tailored one-to-one interventions and referrals to other services. Maria works at various locations throughout Galway city and county. As well as working directly with family members, Maria also provides information to agencies working with families who may be affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use and strives to raise awareness of the potential harmful impacts on families.

Contact: Maria Powers

Address:
Western Region Drug and Alcohol Task Force
Unit 6
Galway Technology Park
Parkmore
Galway
087 6955557
maria.powers@wrdatf.ie

Telephone: 087 6955557

Email: maria.powers@wrdatf.ie

Mayo Drug & Alcohol Family Support Worker

Tacu Family Resource Centre

The role of the family support worker is to provide a safe and non-judgemental space to receive support around a family member’s alcohol or drug misuse. The service is based out of Tacú family resource centre in Ballinrobe but provides outreach to Castlebar, Westport and Claremorris.
One to one support: A safe and non-judgemental space where you are listened to and supported. The family support worker will help you identify and work with your needs, goals and strengths.
Information: Give relevant information on drugs, alcohol, and the effects substance misuse has on individuals and the family.
Evidenced based support programmes: The provision of family support programmes such as 5-Step and CRAFT. 5-Step is a programme working with the stress and strain substance misuse has on a family member. CRAFT is a family programme developing skills such as communication and problem solving.
Referral options:  Provide sign posting to further services based on needs. 
Respite and wellness options: Planned events for family members.
Self-care: Promote physical, mental and social health and well-being

Contact: Mags Dillon

Address:
Tacú Family Resource Centre, Credit Union House, Main St, Friarsquarter West, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo

Mobile: 087 3352831

Email: mags.dillon@wrdatf.ie

Community Liaison Worker (East Galway and South Roscommon)

GRETB

Emmet is the Community Liaison Worker for East County Galway and South Roscommon

The key elements of the Community Liaison Worker role are to:

• Develop community and inter-agency projects that target local drug and alcohol related problems.
• Raise awareness of substance misuse issues generally and also amongst agencies and community organisations.
• Co-ordinate responses to regional developments
• Develop supports for those experiencing difficulties due to drug or alcohol use.
• Implement and support policy development in statutory, community and voluntary organisations.
• Signpost relevant services and supports in the area

Contact: Emmet Major

Address:
Youthreach
Airglooney
Tuam
Co. Galway

Telephone: 087 6629953

Email: emmet.major@wrdatf.ie

Communty Liaison Worker (Galway City and West Galway)

GRETB

Liam is the Community Liaison Worker for Galway City and Connemara

The key elements of the Community Liaison Worker role are to:

• Develop community and inter-agency projects that target local drug and alcohol related problems.
• Raise awareness of substance misuse issues generally and also amongst agencies and community organisations.
• Co-ordinate responses to regional developments
• Develop supports for those experiencing difficulties due to drug or alcohol use.
• Implement and support policy development in statutory, community and voluntary organisations.
• Signpost relevant services and supports in the area

Contact: Liam O' Loughlin

Address:
GRETB
Mervue Training Centre
Galway City

Telephone: 087 6217728

Email: liam.oloughlin@wrdatf.ie

Community Liaison Worker (Mayo and North Roscommon)

South West Mayo Development Company

Pat is the Community Liaison Worker for Mayo and North Roscommon.

The key elements of the Community Liaison Worker role are to:

• Develop community and inter-agency projects that target local drug and alcohol related problems.
• Raise awareness of substance misuse issues generally and also amongst agencies and community organisations.
• Co-ordinate responses to regional developments
• Develop supports for those experiencing difficulties due to drug or alcohol use.
• Implement and support policy development in statutory, community and voluntary organisations.
• Signpost relevant services and supports in the area

Some examples of Pat's work are the:

• Coordination of the Mayo Junior Cert Results Night Initiative which was developed to reduce alcohol related harm around Junior Cert Results night in Mayo
• Coordination of the Regional Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week Events in Mayo/North Roscommon.
• Delivery of SAOR Training in Co Mayo and North Roscommon.
• Participation on local networks such as Swinford Interagency Network, Mayo Child and Family Support Networks, Castlebar Area Network etc.

Contact: Patrick Conway

Address:
South West Mayo Development Company
Balla
Co. Mayo

Telephone: 087 7400011

Email: pat.conway@wrdatf.ie

Education Support Worker (Mayo and Roscommon)

South West Mayo Development Company

Gillian supports the delivery of drug education in counties Mayo and Roscommon. She offers the design and delivery of specific needs based training, professional upskilling and capacity building, parent education, community seminars and information sessions and the facilitation of high-risk groups.

Contact: Gillian Conway

Address:
Balla
Co. Mayo

Telephone: 086 7814779

Email: gillian.conway@wrdatf.ie

Education Support Worker (Galway City & County)

AIDS West

Neil's role is to:

• Develop and deliver holistic drug and alcohol education/prevention programmes to young people, parents, professionals, organisations, ethnic minorities, at risk groups and communities where a need has been identified.
• Design, implement and evaluate effective drug and alcohol education/prevention programmes.
• Support and develop the delivery of drug education to the relevant target groups, in line with best practice.
• Enhance the capacity of professionals in the area of drugs and alcohol education e.g. youth workers, teachers, social workers, community development projects (CDPs), family resource centres (FRCs), occupational health teams etc.

Contact: Neil Wilson

Address:
Ozanam House
St. Augustine Street 
Galway

Telephone: 086 7274888

Email: neil.wilson@wrdatf.ie

Substance Misuse Counsellor for People who are Homeless

Galway Simon Community

Trish is the Substance Misuse Counsellor for People who are Homeless and is based in Galway City.  Key elements of the role are:

• To undertake assessments and brief interventions with drug and alcohol misusers, their families or relatives. 
• To offer a variety of therapeutic interventions and support, demonstrating innovative and good practice at all times.
• To act as a central resource for the board area on drug and alcohol related interventions, treatments and advice.
• To support GP’s, primary health care workers, homeless service providers and other disciplines in the management of drug users in their own area of work.
• To maintain accurate, confidential records of clinical practice
• To contribute to the ongoing development of the drug/alcohol service within the HSE area.  

Contact: Patricia Mullins

Address:
Galway Simon Community
18 Tuam Road Centre
Tuam Road
Galway

Telephone: 087 4168582

Email: patricia.mullins@wrdatf.ie