Mayo (Castlebar) Branch

A voluntary group of concerned parents set up an out-of-school facility (Workshop) in October 2001. Through its affiliation to the Dyslexia Association of Ireland, a national charity for parents to campaign for facilities for children who are dyslexic, the Mayo branch is concerned with providing specialised tuition for children with dyslexia (specific learning difficulties). It has also established a Support Group for Parents which runs every three months from 8pm to 10pm in Davitt College Castlebar. The Support Group is advertised in the local newspapers and posters are distributed to various schools and public buildings. Admission is free and all parents of children with dyslexia are welcome to attend.

Workshop

The Mayo Branch Workshop caters for approximately 24 children, from ages 7 to 14. There is a long waiting list, so it is advisable to get names on the list early. Currently, there are eight specialised teachers giving tuition to children both in a group and on an individual basis. The workshop has also purchased computers and books which are available to students.

The workshop is funded mostly by voluntary activities, with some personal and financial support from Meitheal Mhaigheo, Foxford. The cost is currently €25 (euro) per night, per child. A Parents Committee runs the workshop and arranges one-day seminars, sponsored by the Reading Initiative and held in the Mayo Education Centre, Castlebar. They also act as a support group for parents.

Venue: Davitt College, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Time: The workshop is held on Monday evenings, from 5.45pm - 7.45pm, and runs from September to May each academic year.

The Mayo Branch Workshop aims to provide specific tuition, tailored to meet the requirements of each individual child, in a small group setting. Each session lasts two hours, with a short break after the first hour. Students must have been assessed by a psychologist before enrolling and a copy of the assessment report must be made available to the Programme Co-ordinator (Marita Murtagh) at the time of application. Parent/Teacher meetings are held each term.

Parents of children attending Workshops are encouraged to support the branch in fund-raising and running of the workshop. Committee work, fund-raising, public awareness and lobbying for better services for children with dyslexia are some of the activities of the Mayo branch. Parents of students attending must be members of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland and hold a current membership card.

For further information, contact Penny Devaney, Chairperson, at (094) 93 65311.