Community Services

Mallow has a sophisticated local development sector. Avondhu/Blackwater Development Ltd, was established as a single integrated local development group for the area. Le Cheile Family Resource Centre has been providing important family and community supports since 2001. The Mallow RAPID programme, in operation since 2002, has allowed Mallow to benefit from prioritised streams of national funding for a whole range of local projects, large and small.

Local Community and Voluntary Groups come together in the Mallow Communty Network which meets monthly and provides an important opportunity for groups to discuss their work and identify ways to collaborate.

There is a very wide range of voluntary activity in Mallow, involving sports, cultural activities, environmental initiatives, and social services. While some of these groups have been working for many years, it is a sign of Mallow's vibrancy that new groups are regularly being formed - groups such as Lightbulb Youth Theatre Group, SPARK (a social group for people with disabilities), or the Mallow Community Organic Growers Group. There are many opportunities for people to get involved as volunteers.

There is excellent cooperation among Mallow's voluntary groups and associations. Mallow Community Network is a networking group comprising the community, voluntary and statutory agencies operating in the Mallow area. Established in 1998 the network provides an opportunity for groups to share information, promote and advertise their work and welcome new projects to Mallow.

In addition, the Mallow Community Network is a support space for sharing ideas and raising community needs. The network publishes the very useful 'Mallow Directory of Community and Voluntary Services'.

Finally, at the strategic level, Mallow Development Partnership is a unique initiative involving all sectors of the community - including local business, Mallow Town Council and Cork County Council - and is a model of good practice for community-based strategic collaboration.