Wednesday 29 March 2017

The Bridge Community is having job opportunities!

for details please visit our website at

 http://www.camphill.ie/thebridge/employment-vacancies


Camphill Communities of Ireland - Employment

The Bridge Camphill Community is currently seeking highly motivated People to fill the role of Social Care House Coordinator, Social Care worker and Social Worker - for details please visit our website
CAMPHILL.IE

Tuesday 22 November 2016

Want to work in a unique Coffee Shop?

In the heart of Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, An Tearmann is a coffee shop with a difference. We are looking for two energetic, enthusiastic and responsible people to lead our team!


In the heart of Kilcullen, Co. Kildare,
An Tearmann is a coffee shop with a difference.

We are looking for an Energetic, Enthusiastic and Responsible person to help lead our team!

An Tearmann is a bright and busy coffee shop and bakery in Kilcullen, open six days a week. It delivers a unique café experience to the public, because it is a direct interface between customers and several members with special needs from The Bridge Camphill Community. It provides a meaningful and harmonious work environment for people with intellectual disabilities.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on front of house experience in a busy café or deli environment, with a passion for hospitality. They will have excellent interpersonal skills, a dynamic personality, be customer focused and have confidence in dealing with the public.

Experience or an aptitude to work alongside people with intellectual disabilities and/or mental health issues is equally important. The ability to support people and positively manage behaviours that challenge in the context of a busy coffee shop is essential – it is a key part of our ethos to be aware of and accommodate the needs of others.

Needless to say that the person we are looking for should be flexible, hard-working, able to think on their feet, and be highly organised. They should be willing to help, motivate and inspire their team through leading by example.

If you are adaptable and enthusiastic, and want to be part of a friendly and committed team, then let’s hear from you – An Tearmann could be your place!

The position is a 5-day working week of 33 hours, including Saturdays.
Hourly rate is €13

Please direct all enquiries to Ben Gamble at 045-481597.
Full Job Description and Person Specification are available on request.

Applications will only be accepted by email to thebridge@camphill.ie with letter of application and CV attached. Camphill is an equal opportunity employer. All positions will be subject to Garda Vetting.

Closing Date for applications will be noon on WEDNESDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2016

Candidates shortlisted for interview will receive notification by the 9TH of December
 for interviews being held between 12th and 16th December. Candidate selected would take up the role in early January 2017



http://www.camphill.ie/thebridge/An-Tearmann






Thursday 15 September 2016

Want to work in a unique Coffee Shop?

In the heart of Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, An Tearmann is a coffee shop with a difference. We are looking for two energetic, enthusiastic and responsible people to lead our team!


In the heart of Kilcullen, Co. Kildare,
An Tearmann is a coffee shop with a difference.

We are looking for an Energetic, Enthusiastic and Responsible person to help lead our team!

An Tearmann is a bright and busy coffee shop and bakery in Kilcullen, open six days a week. It delivers a unique café experience to the public, because it is a direct interface between customers and several members with special needs from The Bridge Camphill Community. It provides a meaningful and harmonious work environment for people with intellectual disabilities.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on front of house experience in a busy café or deli environment, with a passion for hospitality. They will have excellent interpersonal skills, a dynamic personality, be customer focused and have confidence in dealing with the public.

Experience or an aptitude to work alongside people with intellectual disabilities and/or mental health issues is equally important. The ability to support people and positively manage behaviours that challenge in the context of a busy coffee shop is essential – it is a key part of our ethos to be aware of and accommodate the needs of others.

Needless to say that the person we are looking for should be flexible, hard-working, able to think on their feet, and be highly organised. They should be willing to help, motivate and inspire their team through leading by example.

If you are adaptable and enthusiastic, and want to be part of a friendly and committed team, then let’s hear from you – An Tearmann could be your place!

The position is a 5-day working week of 33 hours, including Saturdays.
Hourly rate is €13
Please direct all enquiries to Ben Gamble at 045-481597.
Full Job Description and Person Specification are available on request.

Applications will only be accepted by email to thebridge@camphill.ie with letter of application and CV attached. Camphill is an equal opportunity employer. All positions will be subject to Garda Vetting.
Closing Date for applications will be noon on WEDNESDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2016

Candidates shortlisted for interview will receive notification by the 9TH of Decemberfor interviews being held between 12th and 16th December. Candidate selected would take up the role in early January 2017






Monday 2 May 2016

Justin wins two equestrian medals

Justin Wynn, a long term resident at the Camphill Bridge Community, recently won a gold and bronze medal in the dressage horse riding category of the Special Olympics. The Transitional Training Project Management Groupat Camphill met with him and interviewed him on this achievement.

1) What is the name of the horse that you rode on in Special Olympics? Max, a white gelding.

2) What is dressage? What does it involve? You take the horse in steps around the arena. The horse goes round various obstacles. It is a bit like the horse dancing.

3) How many people took part in the competition? There were 20 competitors in the competition.

This was Justin’s first competition. It was held in Castledermot in County Kildare. Justin had to train every Thursday and Friday for the last few months, in preparation for the competition. Jumping and cantering are Justin’s favourite parts of dressage.

Friday 29 April 2016

Kilcullen Diary: Excellent 'report card' for Camphill in Kilcullen

Kilcullen Diary: Excellent 'report card' for Camphill in Kilcullen

When the acronym HIQA appears in the news media, it is generally a bad news story, writes Brian Byrne. This is refreshingly not the case with the recent inspection of the Bridge Camphill Community by the Health Information and Quality Authority, which the Community passed with flying colours.

It was the first inspection of the designated centre for people with disabilities since it was established in Kilcullen more than two decades ago. The inspectors examined it under 18 headings ranging from 'Residents Rights, Dignity and Consultation' through 'Safeguarding and Safety' to 'Governance and Management' and much in between.

The subsequent Report logged no non-compliances, and was very complimentary overall of the centre which has become so much a part of the overall community of Kilcullen. In just three of the areas of inspection were there small issues which needed to be dealt with, relating to procedures in Social Care Needs, Safeguarding & Safety, and Records & Documentation.

Indeed, beyond the necessarily dry words of the Report itself, we understand that the inspectors made many verbal comments about Bridge Camphill, such as being 'blown away by what we saw in the two days we were here in relation to integration and inclusion within the wider community'.

The Report noted the particular Camphill model of such centres whereby residents shared their homes with co-worker volunteers and with a mix of professional staff. The inspectors found that residents 'were provided with a very good standard of service and residents were found to enjoy a good quality of life' at the Kilcullen centre. Residents and their families alike were 'very positive' about the service model, and levels of social activation and meaningful engagement were cited by families as being 'very person centred and supportive'.

The staff at Bridge Camphill were themselves very pleased with the result, after being somewhat nervous in advance of the first inspection of the centre. "Given that there is a new scandal in relation to disability centres and HIQA Compliance reports in the press every other week, it's nice to also celebrate such an achievement which gives local people confidence in supporting a worthwhile cause," Mischa Fekete, as person in charge, said afterwards.

The 25-page Report is available from the HIQA website www.hiqa.ie. For anyone interested in the care and development of people with disabilities, it makes uplifting reading.

This article was first published in the Kildare Nationalist.

Monday 29 February 2016

Kilcullen Nature Trail calls for donations to help repair flood damage



The Bridge Camphill Community is asking for donations to help repair the Kilcullen Farm & Nature Trail, a section of which was severely damaged by flooding at the end of the year. Anyone who’s tried to walk the Nature Trail in the past two months has noticed a portion by the old weir blocked off, and due to the significant cost of repairs, this may remain so until funds can be raised. This section is probably the most attractive part of the walk and was previously damaged 2 years ago and repaired at the time, however this years flooding has again damaged the same section and plans are now in place to rebuild the section of the Nature Trail by the former location of the old weir in a matter that is able to withstand future flooding without being eroded.


Not only is the Nature Trail used by the residents of Camphill, it’s also extremely popular with the broader community. Families with buggies, pensioners, and everyone in-between can be spotted enjoying the river walk, garden, farm animals - all free and accessible in the center of town. It was built a few years ago as part of a Difference Day with the help of 250 volunteers. The Kilcullen Nature Trail is an invaluable asset to the Kilcullen; it builds community, promotes the outdoors and wellness, and draws people into town to shop on the Main Street. We look forward to the town coming together to bring this crucial asset back to Kilcullen; please consider donating if you're able.

To make a donation, please drop your donation in an envelope to the staff An Tearmann. Any amounts small or large are appreciated and any surplus will be used exclusively for enhancing this local amenity.

Saturday 7 November 2015

Vacancy for Social Care Manager (Person in Charge)


VACANCY
Social Care Manager (Person in Charge)
A Social Care Manager (Person in Charge) is required to fill this full time post. You will need a strong management and leadership background, experience of working with people with intellectual disability offering person-centred support. You will require a sound understanding of regulatory requirements; have skills to lead the safe support to residents within a complex residential environment. You will have strong business skills and be qualified in social care. You will need to be committed to personal development and working as part of a team.
The post provides the opportunity to work as part of a committed team, a competitive salary and access to collaborative and learning work within a leading national organisation. This is a full time salaried position which will average around 40 hours per week and may include being on call at evenings and at weekends. All appointments will be subject to Garda Vetting.
The community provides Residential Life-sharing Services, Day Opportunities and Support Services, Transition Training, Housing and Supported Living for a total of 28 people with special needs. Camphill is an organisation with a strong voluntary ethos and includes many voluntary and vocational coworkers some of whom also live in the community. The Bridge Community is located in the town of Kilcullen, Co. Kildare and prides itself on the integration and inclusion within the town and enjoys a strong relationship with the wider community.
For a Job Description and Person Specification, go to:
Closing Date for applications will be Friday 20th of November 2015.
Candidates shortlisted for interview will receive notification by Friday 27th of November for first round of interviews being held from the 8th to the 10th of December.
Only candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted. Camphill is an equal opportunity employer.
In case of any further information please contact Ben Gamble at 045-481597.

Congratulations to Mischa

Congratulations to Mischa on receiving a Kilcullen Community Award last night. 

As was reported in the Kilcullen Blog, the nomination was in recognition of someone who has made 'a huge contribution' to Kilcullen over the last two decades and more. Apart from his work with the Camphill Community, which has helped break down barriers between those with special needs and the other residents of Kilcullen, Mischa has been involved with many other aspects of the town, especially in the areas of music and drama, 'a man of many talents and always willing to share those talents'.

For his own part, Mischa thanked the community of Kilcullen for making him and his friends in the Camphill project so welcome. "I think the town very willingly reached out to encompass all of us, and naturally included people, and this wouldn’t have happened in every town. It was something magical." He accepted the Award, he said, on behalf of all those in Bridge Camphill.

We are justly proud of this achievement in The Bridge.

For a full report of the night, please go to:

https://t.co/4TTt0FieOf

Photo and report credit to Brian Byrne of the Kilcullen Blog

Thursday 13 August 2015

VACANCY FOR PARTTIME VOLUNTEERS FOR OUR ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS PROGRAMME AND BEFRIENDING PROGRAMME





  •  Do you have some time on your hands? 
  •  Would you like to make a contribution to a worthwhile cause? 
  •  Have you a sense of fun and are up to trying new things? 

If so we would like to hear from you.

Our Activities and Interests Programme makes art, music, craft, literacy, sports, drama, dance, IT Skills and other topics accessible to people of all abilities in an informal and fun way. It is run with coworkers of the Bridge Community and the help of local volunteers who contribute their interest, knowledge, skill and enthusiasm in whatever way they can.

If you think you might be able to contribute to a group of all abilities in one of these areas we would love to hear from you. We are looking for volunteers able to commit to Monday mornings from 9.30-12.30 for 2-3 months

We are also looking for Volunteers for our Befriending Programme for a couple of hours a week in the evenings or at weekends,  assisting with outings to museums, cultural centres, concerts, walking, playing cards, paired reading, going to the movies etc. We will try and pair you with someone with compatible interests.

All our volunteers need Garda Vetting and References. Don’t worry if this is a bit daunting - We can guide you through these and give you hand filling out forms.

For further information please phone Gese at 045-481597or 087-6390888 or call into the office and ask for Ben or email thebridge@camphill.ie




Tuesday 14 July 2015

Vacancy for Programme Co-ordinator for Transitional Training Programme


The Bridge & Grangebeg Camphill Communities are looking for a PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATOR for their Transitional Training Programme for School - Leavers with a Learning Disability.
# Have you got experience in working with young adults with a learning disability?
# Do you get excited by supporting people to reach their potential and make the transition from school to adulthood?
# Do you have some experience in teaching or coaching?
IF SO - WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU !
The ideal candidate would have experience and skills in the following areas:
- Experience with Challenging behaviour, Autism and Learning Disability and Self Advocacy
- Experience with Educational programmes for learning disability and modular delivery of learning outcomes
- Job coaching and facilitating community placements
- Literacy / numeracy work
- Experience with Life skill coaching
- Interest in art crafts drama music sport or PE
- Good Time Management skills
- Ability to encourage and energise others
- Be interested in The Values and Ethos of the Camphill Approach.
- Full Cleaning Driving Licence
This post is subject to Garda Vetting
Hours: The post is part-time for 20 -24 hours per week with occasional extra hours when required for holiday cover. This role will require flexible approach to working hours.
Rate: 16 Euro per hour
Contract: Permanent
For more details contact Ben Gamble, The Bridge Camphill Community, Main Street, Kilcullen.
Phone 045 / 481597 or e-mail thebridge@camphill.ie
For a detailed job description & person specification AND TO APPLY ON-LINE please visit:
Closing Date for applications will be the 5th August 2015

Tuesday 23 June 2015

New Coffee Bar area in An Tearmann

For those of you who have the time to spend watching the world go by in our lovely coffee shop An Tearmann, we've just had fitted a new coffee bar / seats.
Clever brain child of Deirdre and Jo and the handiwork of Sean and Ciaran - another great team effort.





Tuesday 16 June 2015

Villager Holiday to Liverpool and Chester

This is the time of the year when the Villagers go on holidays. A few of us have just got back from a visit to Liverpool and Chester. Great fun!










Tuesday 2 June 2015

2015 Mini Project Day

We had a brilliant 'Mini Project Day' on 2nd June - planting flowers, creating a raised bed in the shape of St Bridget's cross, harvesting rhubarb, etc. Followed by a BBQ behind Isserin. Here is a flavour of the day in pictures.












Dublin Mini Marathon

So proud of our guys who who took part in the 2015 Dublin Mini Marathon. They battled through heavy rain, never loosing heart! Sirka did a magnificent 6 kilometers!



Sunday 29 March 2015

'Beating the Bounds' on Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday we always 'Beat the Bounds' at The Bridge. This year was no exception. Despite a fairly cold a windy morning we followed the bread cockerels to each corner of our land and sang a song. Great fun!








Wednesday 18 March 2015

The Bridge St Patrick's Day snake rides again

Although the Kilcullen St Patrick's Day was sadly cancelled this year, the Community got together during the evening to mark the day with a meal, followed by music and a quiz. We also gave our famous St Patrick's Day snake a little outing:


Sunday 8 March 2015

2 internships in An Tearmann coffee shop / bakery


We are advertising 2 Internships for Coffee Shop / Bakery assistants via 'Job Bridge' Ireland and would love to hear from you if you think you or a friend fit the bill. Check out:
If you enter 'Kildare' under location and then 'Hotel and Catering' under Categories, you should find the details

Coffeeshop/Bakery Assistant
Based in KILCULLEN
Ref. INTE-916115

Description
The intern will gain practical experience in cooking, waitressing, stock taking, ordering supplies, Haccp, and food preparation. The intern will receive formal/informal training in the following, Manual Handling, food preparation to Haccp standards and customer service. Safeguarding for Adults with special needs and any other relevant training necessary. On completion the intern will have attained skills in customer service, food hygiene and preparation, and working alongside adults with special needs. 

Skills Requirements
An awareness and interest in disability issues. The ability to work alongside adults with special needs, and volunteers while meeting the agreed developmental goals. Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity. Be highly flexible, honest and trustworthy. Excellent people, communication and problem solving skills. 

Please Note:
This is an Internship. An allowance of €50 per week will be paid in addition to your current Social Welfare payment.See eligibility criteria above.

Department
Coffeeshop/BakeryAssistant

Mentor
The Organisation will assign a mentor to support you during the Internship.

Duration.                         9 Months 
Number of Positions.    2
Contract Type.               Other
Days, Hours & Start Date.  Days per week: To be Advised 

Hours per day: Not specified
Hours per week: 30
Start Date: TBC 
Experience Required:         No Experience Required

Education Requirements:  Intermediate Certificate - None required


How to Apply
Email - Cv and letter of motivation to the Ben Gamble at the Bridge Community email address: thebridgecommunity@gmail.com 
Contact arrangements must be followed exactly as stated by the employer as they are the preferred method of contact.

Employer
Bridge Camphill Community
The Bridge Camphill
Main Street
Kilcullen
Co Kildare

Phone.  045 481597
Email.   bridgecommunity@gmail.com

Friday 6 March 2015

Dissapointing News: A Kilcullen Diary: No St Patrick's Day Parade this year

A Kilcullen Diary: No St Patrick's Day Parade this year:

Wednesday, March 04, 2015


No St Patrick's Day Parade this year  ;-(



It looks like there won't be any St Patrick's Day Parade in Kilcullen this year, as Kilcullen Scouts have no plans to organise it, writes Brian Byrne.

The Scouts inaugurated and have run the very successful parade for the last two years, but have opted out this year because they're not in a position to handle it.

"It's very disappointing," says Mischa Fekete of the Bridge Camphill Community, whose St Patrick and an accompanying 'snake' have been a popular feature among the many local business and clubs floats which entertained hundreds of Kilcullen people and visitors on each of the previous two parades.

"We had just started practicing a new drums performance to add something different to the event, but now we'll have to rethink. It would be great if another organisation or club in the town would take over the parade's operation."

Both recent parades attracted a very strong support from all clubs and other groups in Kilcullen, and last year ended with music from local bands and outside musical groups.

A plan to provide a topical film show for children after this year's parade was also in train. That may still go ahead anyhow. But there's no doubt that there will be disappointment that such a promising annual event might disappear so soon after its beginning.

"It'd be a pity for the town if it slips away," one local publican told theDiary today. "It brings people around."

Tuesday 3 March 2015

A Kilcullen Diary: Get the boots out, for Camphill

A Kilcullen Diary: Get the boots out, for Camphill:
Right, it's the beginning of March and winter hibernation is officially over, writes Brian Byrne, and maybe it's time to polish up the walking boots again.

And a couple of walks that might be worth considering to help fundraise for Camphill Communities of Ireland are available.

The first, and closest to home, is trek along The Wicklow Way, either 10km or 17km depending on how you figure you might more easily manage. It's on 19 April, and the cost is €100.

The CCoI is also working up a trek along part of the Camino De Santiago to take place in October. If you're interested in either event, email Joe Lynch joelynch@camphill.ie or call 045-483735. A sign-up page for the Wicklow Way Challenge will shortly be available on mycharity.ie.

In Kilcullen we're very aware of the very good work that the Camphill organisation does for people with special needs. Across the country in 17 locations, that work is replicated for some 275 people in a range of ages.

It's work that requires funding, despite the very high volunteer element of the Camphill model.

So, have a think about one or other of the above. Both promise to be fun events too.