Children's Ombudsman Emily Logan had the honour of cutting the ribbon on a specially-renovated house at 140, Elm Park, which is the new home for the Springboard project operated by independent children's charity Barnardos.

The initiative is a collaborative effort led by Barnardos and the Health Service Executive (HSE). It serves the RAPID areas of Clonmel and works with parents, families and children in the communities of Elm Park, Bianconi Drive, Cooleens Close, Heywood Close, Carrigeen, The Wilderness and Oakland Drive.

The project works with parents and builds on family strengths so that children and young people can fully enjoy their childhood and reach their full potential.

Fergus Finlay, Barnardos chief executive explained that the whole idea of the "springboard" name was to provide something to jump on and take the next step. Barnardos didn't believe it had all the answers but it knew that the solutions to most problems were found within families. The charity provided space, time, support and back-up for families to work through their situations and come up with solutions.

Mr. Finlay said that the Springboard project was about preventing damage by offering a helping hand when it was needed. He said that Barnardos looked forward to working with families in this and other communities to provide support and a springboard to a better future.

They were both hopeful and determined that the initiative would make a real contribution in Clonmel because it was solidly-based. The partnership behind the project was real and solid and included Barnardos; RAPID and all those groups associated with RAPID; the community; and the HSE, which he described as a key and critical partner, and which had helped to develop a beautiful, warm and welcoming space in the house in Elm Park.

Carol McDonnell, the Barnardos Project leader said that the project offered intensive and targeted support to 13 families at any one time. This included one-to-one work as well as parent-coaching.
It also offered universal services that were available to all families including a summer programme that saw 13 children participate in art, cooking, sports and dance classes. The project would also run play sessions and have a library available in the near future.

Children's Ombudsman Emily Logan said that early intervention and family support were "a critical means to ensure we give children the best start possible." She said that Barnardos' commitment to improving the lives of children and families across its many areas of work was borne out with this launch.

Ms Logan said that the Friendship Group and after-school group programmes that the service would offer in Clonmel over the coming months would work with children to develop and enhance their social skills and awareness through improved understanding around expressing their emotions, making decisions and maintaining positive relationships with their peers.

She added that every childhood lasted a lifetime and what happened to you as a child stayed with you forever.

She was encouraged that people were still prepared to go "the extra mile" and that there was plenty of willingness and commitment to helping children.

Peter Kieran, childcare specialist with the HSE said that this was one of the many positive developments that the HSE had brought about through partnership. He reminded the gathering that "we must all work to make the world worthy of its children".

Denis Dunne, the Mayor of Clonmel, described Springboard as a wonderful project and as well as the other groups and agencies he also thanked the Borough Council for providing the facility at Elm Park.
This initiative was a very specific issue identified in the RAPID plan drawn up in 2003, said RAPID chairperson Darren Ryan, who predicted that the project would continue to grow into the future.
Jim Gibson, HSE childcare manager said he was delighted to be part of a journey that had started a good few years ago, and he said the HSE was committed to supporting Barnardos to deliver a comprehensive Family Support Plan in Clonmel.

Liz Moloney, a member of the advisory board to the project said that a very strong team existed behind the initiative and it was re-assuring to know that the goodwill and support for Springboard wouldn't waiver.