Parish of Swords Clonmethan Kilsallaghan Donabate & Lusk
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Helplines & Resources

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For pastoral care at any time, and to discuss any issue in confidence, contact the Rector. Here are some websites and telephone numbers that may be of use, too. If you have a resource you'd like to add to this page, please let us know.

General Advice

  • For pastoral care and to discuss any issue in confidence, contact the Archdeacon, David Pierpoint (01 830 4601) or any member of the Ministry Team.
  • For information on all supports and services, contact the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Abuse

Addiction

Eating Disorders

Children

Elderly People

  • Age Action promotes positive ageing and better policies and services for older people.
  • Age and Opportunity aims to turn the period from age 50 onwards into one of the most satisfying times in people's lives, by facilitating opportunities in arts and culture; sport and physical activity; learning and active citizenship.
  • Friends of the Elderly alleviates social isolation among older people through friendship.
  • Alzheimer Society of Ireland provides dementia-specific services and supports, and advocates for the rights and needs of all people living with dementia and their carers.
  • Carers Association is Ireland's national voluntary organisation for and of family carers in the home. Family carers provide high levels of care to a range of people including frail older people, people with severe disabilities, people who are terminally ill, and children with special needs.

People with Disabilities

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

  • Gay Switchboard is an LGBT+ support service via telephone, live chat, email, and instant message.
  • OutHouse offers a safe space for LGBT+ people and their allies to inform, meet, organise, and make things happen.
  • Changing Attitudes Ireland works for the full acceptance of and welcome for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons in the Churches in Ireland. Their website is down right now; visit their Facebook page instead.

Counselling & Support

  • The Samaritans have a free and confidential 24/7 listening service for anyone going through difficulties or distress.
  • Aware helps people with depression and other mental health issues, and their family and friends.
  • GROW mental health movement
  • Pieta House provides a free, therapeutic approach to people who are in suicidal distress and those who engage in self-harm.
  • The Department of Foreign Affairs gives advice on safe travel and provides consular assistance to Irish citizens while they are abroad.
  • The Garda protect and serve Irish citizens and anyone living in or visiting Ireland.
  • Here2Help can be contacted for counselling and support in relation to all the options available in a crisis pregnancy situation: parenting, adoption and abortion.
  • Relationships Ireland are one of Ireland's leading counselling and marriage counselling agencies.
  • The National Counselling Service can put anyone who'd like some counselling, including victims of abuse, in touch with a suitable resource. For advice, call their national freephone helpline on 1800 25 25 24 or call into their office on Ormond Quay, Dublin, which is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm.

Traveller & Roma

Homelessness

  • The Department of Social Protection has help and support available for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
  • Focus Ireland vision is that everyone has a place they can call home. Focus has advice, support, education, and housing for people who are homeless, and advocates social change to eliminate homelessness.
  • The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul's focus is on practical approaches to dealing with poverty, alleviating its effects on individuals and families through working primarily in person-to-person contact by a unique system of family visitation, and seeking to achieve social justice and equality of opportunity for all citizens.

Financial Problems

  • The Department of Social Protection has help and support available for people experiencing financial difficulties.
  • Protestant Aid was established over 175 years ago to relieve the horrors of poverty and deprivation in the Republic of Ireland on a strictly non-denominational basis, and treats all genuine calls for help equally, regardless of religious, ethnic or social backgrounds.
  • Money Advice & Budgeting Service is a free, confidential, independent and non-judgmental service for people who would like assistance in budgeting, or who are in debt, or in danger of getting into debt.
  • The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul's focus is on practical approach to dealing with poverty, alleviating its effects on individuals and families through working primarily in person-to-person contact by a unique system of family visitation, and seeking to achieve social justice and equality of opportunity for all citizens.

Refugee & Migrant Services

  • The Immigrant Council of Ireland aims to secure improved rights and protections which benefit Irish citizens, migrants, and their families.
  • The Irish Refugee Council is Ireland's only national non-governmental organisation which specialises in working with and for refugees in Ireland, focussing on those in the asylum system who are applying to be recognised as refugees.