Enabling and empowering families & individuals to develop their own resources for more creative & effective living.
Assisting communities to support family life.
Charitable Purpose -
"To establish, maintain & operate the Family Centre at Chapel St., Castlebar, County of Mayo for the benefit of the local
community to provide support for the local community, to provide support for families & individuals through counselling,
education & training"
(Memorandum & Articles of Association)
To provide support for families & individuals through counselling, education & training.Care for those in crisis.
Work in collaboration with other statutory/voluntary agencies in needs identification & service innovation that will advance family welfare.
Develop support services/ programmes on an outreach basis.
Family Life Services based at the Family Centre, Chapel Street, Castlebar, was established in 1995 by the Catholic Archdiocese of Tuam in association with the Western Health Board.
The need for such a Centre emerged as a result of widespread consultation within the local community. Those consulted indicated very clearly that families in Ireland were going through a period of profound social, economic, cultural and religious change which affected the quality and stability of family life. These changes continue today.
So it was in response to this need that the Family Centre was established.
The Family Centre is a beautiful cut stone building erected in 1878 as a National School for boys run by the De La Salle Brothers until the late 1950’s.
In 1994 the building was designated for development as a Family Centre and was appropriately and tastefully renovated and refurbished.
This was made possible thanks to the generosity of the people of the Archdiocese of Tuam, the Archbishop, priests, & Religious.The Family Centre opened its doors to the public in 1995 and was officially opened by Her Excellency President Mary McAleese, President of Ireland and blessed by His Grace Archbishop Michael Neary D.D., Archbishop of Tuam, on 18th July 1998.From August 2008 Cathal Kearney took up position as Director of the Centre.
Previous to this Fr Pat Farragher was director from 2001-2008. Fr. Martin was director of the centre from 1993 – 2001. The current centre Director is Máire Ní Dhomhnaill.
Our service recognises the various forms family life takes in Ireland today.
Our services are available to all members of the community regardless of religious beliefs, nationality or where they live.
" The Family Centre offered me a lifeline during a troubled time having lost my dear husband to suicide. I cannot thank them enough for all their help, support, guidance and friendship.
The friendly welcome on arrival to the centre made me feel at ease immediately and the invaluable support offered by my counsellor has allowed me to move forward in my life. To anyone seeking help, I simply say, The Journey of a thousand miles Begins with a single step and for me that first step was to the Family Centre.
May God bless all those who do such fantastic work in the centre"
Sinéad
