Welcome to the New ILMI Team Members
We are delighted to welcome two new members of staff to the ILMI team. Mark McCollum and Clive Lowry have joined the ONSIDE project as Community Navigators for both and Louth respectively.
Mark McCollum, Cavan ONSIDE Community Navigator

Photo Shows the new ONSIDE Community Navigator Mark McCollum
Mark has recently joined ILMI; he is a psychology graduate from the University of Ulster with over 20 years experience in the fields of arts-based community development, group and one-to-one training, advocacy, issues pertaining to older people, an inclusive ethos. Mark was director of Blue Drum – The Arts Specialist Support Agency, responsible for developing the use of Arts-Based Community Developing in Ireland, He established the Balor Developmental Community Arts Group; a pioneering creative company aimed at developing socially engaged art projects. Mark was also the Irish representative on the European Reminiscence Theatre Network, developing innovative training for families of people with dementia. He is a passionate advocate for an inclusive, fair and equal society. He is a thalassophile; a sea swimmer all his life and a founder member of the Gartan Open Water Swimmers and an international Cardiac athlete. He has two teenage daughters; Jade & Lauren and he lives in Raphoe, Co. Donegal with his faithful German Shepard – Imme. You can contact Mark at markmccollum@ilmi.ie.
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Clive Lowry, Louth ONSIDE Community Navigator

Photo Shows the new ONSIDE Community Navigator Clive Lowry
Since graduating from Cavan Institute in 2011 with a BTEC Higher National Diploma in Health and Social Care, Clive has supported disabled adults in the community under the social model of disability ethos for almost ten years. During which time he has acquired skills, experience and expertise with supporting disabled adults to actively participate in their own community, achieve personal goals and enhance their emotional health and wellbeing. Clive is a sport enthusiast with links to the GAA Community and is an activist with lived experience of disability. He is eager to learn new skills professionally and draw from the highly skilled and vast expertise of the ONSIDE Project and ILMI staff team. The ONSIDE project will support disabled people to remove societal barriers and take control over of all aspects of their lives, thus promoting freedom, choice and equality by utilising the right’s based social model of disability. Clive is looking forward to developing new skills in the area of community development, activism and the development of a disabled person’s organisation in Co. Louth. You can contact Clive at clivelowry@ilmi.ie
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ILMI Women's Group

Photo shows the call for people to participate in the ILMI Women's Group
ILMI are delighted to announce a new zoom space for disabled women to come together and discuss the issues they face in a safe and confidential space. This will be a peer-led community so why not come and join us Tuesday morning at 11am and share your knowledge. If you would like further information or wish to register your interest in taking part then please contact Shelly Gaynor at shellygaynor@ilmi.ie.
ILMI are pleased to be supporting Full Spectrum:Disabled LGBTI+ Peer Network, which has their first meeting next Tuesday 14th at 7:30pm. Full Spectrum is a new national network for disabled people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Intersex, Asexual, Non-Binary, or simply non-heterosexual in orientation/gender identity. We are launching a regular virtual community drop-in space by and for disabled LGBTI+ people. This will be a safe and welcoming peer-support space where we can come together to get to know each other, share experiences, support one another, and build a community identity.
If you are a disabled adult and identify as LGBTI+ (or any other letter of the alphabet!), then you are welcome to join our space of equals. There are currently three people acting as a steering group; Maureen, Niall, and Isolde. At least one of us will be present at each session to facilitate discussions and deal with the inevitable technical hitches.
We are delighted to be supported by ILMI (Independent Living Movement Ireland), who can offer technical training for anyone unfamiliar with using the Zoom platform. You do not need to be a member of ILMI to take part.
For further information, and to register your interest in taking part: email dlgbtqpeer2020@gmail.com or call / text 085-2277033
Spanish Classes

Photo shows the text Want to Learn Spanish?
ILMI are delighted to offer a series of four Beginner Spanish classes via zoom with Marcus Ward, Co. Donegal based Spanish teacher and ILMI member. These 1 hour workshops will run every Friday from 12pm to 1pm for 4 weeks, starting on July 24th. Marcus has always had a strong passion for languages and he holds an honours degree in modern languages from Open University. Marcus' mindset for teaching Spanish is that language learning should be a fun and enjoyable experience, with a focus on engaging speaking activities rather than long, boring essays. This short series of Spanish classes will serve as an introduction to the world of language learning at a complete beginner level. You will learn introductions, how to talk about yourself, how to ask a question, and much more. This programme is open to everyone however there are limited spaces available. Please register your interest now by emailing orlabeirne@ilmi.ie
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Cork Community Platform
ILMI are creating an online platform to create an opportunity for disabled people in Cork City and County to stay socially connected and find out information on the various supports and services in your local community. We have guest speakers from mainstream services that provide information and talk about what is available to you during COVID-19 and beyond. If you have an interest in this new Cork Community then please register your interest at info@ilmi.ie.
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