The Emigrant Support Programme in Britain
Since 2004, the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) has assisted more than 850 organisations in 51 countries.
As a tangible expression of the Irish Government’s support of, commitment to, and interest in the global Irish community, the ESP helps to bring together the vibrant, diverse global Irish community connected to Ireland and to each other.
Here in Britain, over 100 organisations every year receive funding through the ESP for a wide variety of initiatives aimed at supporting our diaspora abroad.
Here is a look at just a few of the organisations that are helping to do such valuable work for the community.
Southwark Traveller’s Action Group
Southwark Traveller’s Action Group, or STAG, work to support one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in the UK, Irish Travellers.
They provide advocacy, advice and support to Travellers, ensuring that they receive access to statutory services and legal entitlements.
STAG works with public service providers such as the local council schools and health services to ensure that Travellers are on the agenda, and services cater for and understand Traveller’s needs.
STAG is also actively involved in consultation processes to ensure that Traveller voices are heard by decision makers, work to run cultural events which celebrate Travellers’ heritage and Irish identity, and seek to foster good relations between Irish Travellers and the local community.
Ashford Place
Ashford Place aim to offer opportunities to improve the health and social inclusion outcomes for vulnerable Irish clients.
To achieve this, they have created programmes that focus on mental health, creative health, cultural health and overall wellbeing.
They also work to support the Irish population in Brent, in particular where there are members of the community who are elderly or more vulnerable.
Ashford Place has undertaken a number of initiatives to help to bring about great results for the community, including Irish Befriending, which helps to connect older members of the Irish and local community who may have found themselves gradually feeling lonely or more isolated over time.
They have also established SHOUT, a Mental Health Film Festival which acts as a conversation about and creative celebration of mental health. In 2024, SHOUT will also be heading Liverpool for the first time.
Irish Community Care Manchester
The main objective of Irish Community Care Manchester (ICCM) is to provide a range of services to address the diverse needs of the Irish community, in particular the elderly, disadvantaged and vulnerable to improve their physical and mental health outcomes.
Through facilitating access to both statutory and voluntary agencies across Manchester, ICCM helps to ensure that people have access to appropriate services to address their needs.
They also have a number of initiatives that help to reduce social and cultural isolation, such as lunch groups that help to connect people that would otherwise be at home or in care.
These groups also enable people to celebrate their Irish identity, culture and traditions, while connecting with the community and people around them.
Tyneside Irish Centre
Tyneside Irish Centre works to provide for the social and welfare needs of its members, as well as representing the Irish Community in the city.
With a focus on celebrating Irish culture, the centre operates a number welfare projects, including a weekly lunch club on Thursdays, a monthly lunch event on the first Friday and a Tea Dance every Monday afternoon.
A traditional music session takes place every Thursday, while the Irish Disco and Bingo on Sundays is always sure to draw a crowd.
The Tyneside Irish Centre also works in cooperation with Tyneside Cultural Society to provide educational and cultural classes for all ages including classes on the Irish language, traditional music and dancing, genealogy and literature, helping to open our culture to an ever-wider audience.