TORC August News Bulletin

August News Bulletin

Welcome to the August edition of the TORC News bulletin.

Klaudia Ali is the Tenant Engagement Coordinator (TEO), based in the Cork office. She is responsible for tenant engagement initiatives in all eight TORC housing schemes across six counties.

Klaudia has qualifications in social work, community development, childcare, teaching, international relations and diplomacy. Klaudia has spent the last seven years working in the community and voluntary sector, and has experience in case management, advocacy, client centered practice, and solution focused approach.

Klaudia will provide tenants with a range of opportunities to facilitate communication with TORC. Tenant engagement is a two-way process and is vital component to improving the service we deliver to tenants.

If you would like to become involved in tenant engagement or would like to get involved in setting up a residents’ association or organising an event in your scheme please contact Klaudia on 014852020 or getinvolved@torcsustainablehousing.ie

Latest News

Road Safety Awareness Event, Pairc Thiar

TORC has organised a Road Safety Awareness event and launched a revised parking pilot strategy in Pairc Thiar, Clonakilty on Friday the19th July 2024.

This event in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) was dedicated to promoting road safety awareness, advocating for safer roads, responsible driver behaviour and child supervision within the estate. It further aims to reduce road accidents and save lives by encouraging individuals and communities to prioritize road safety measures.

Pilot Parking Strategy: TORC aim to create a fair and efficient parking system that benefits all residents while maintaining order and safety within the estate. The strategy for use of parking spaces in the development is expected to produce the following outcomes and benefits:

A more efficient and effective parking system, which will optimise the use of the existing parking spaces and facilities. · A more fair and transparent parking system.

A more user-friendly and comfortable parking system, which will enhance the convenience and comfort of the parking users and provide them with adequate information and services.

A more attractive and livable development, which will improve the quality and safety of the parking facilities and make them more accessible and appealing.

Unfortunately the RSA interactive Unit has made a decision that they could not partake in the event due to concerns regarding safety of having the truck in the scheme.

TORC launched the parking permits during the event. Both children and adults enjoyed pastries, hot beverages, ice creams. There was also a face painter for children and teenagers.

Education and Training Fund 2024

Education and Training Fund 2024 was launched on the 21st June on the website, social media, and via email to all TORC residents. All the information, including application form and Q&A’s are available at:

https://www.torcsustainablehousing.ie/torc-foundation-education-training-fund/

The Education& Training Fund is an annual grant scheme established by the TORC Foundation in 2022 to support residents who are planning to attend a training or education course. The Education & Training Fund supports residents to participate in a wide range of academic and skills-based training courses. Grants can also be awarded to residents to attend personal development courses. Awards could range from €200 for shorter courses and up to €1000 for longer courses, e.g., university.

In the first year 7 residents applied for the fund and 3 were successful with their application and secured funding for their desired course. In 2023 there were 23applications received by TORC of which 15 were successful.

Summer Event

Dear TORC Residents,

Thank you for your patience in relation to the summer event.

Please be assured we are working on it and are hoping to communicate with you regarding the trips soon.

Again, thank you for your understanding🤝

‘Summer In My Scheme’

Summer Photo Competition

Dear TORC Residents,

This summer did not spoil us with the sunny mornings or hot evenings, so let’s make it colourful and cheerful ourselves. TORC would like to invite both adults and children to enter the photo competition ‘Summer in My Scheme’.

Go for a walk, focus on the beauty of the summer season, capture precious moments with your cameras, and share one with TORC to win a little prize!

Please send one photo togetinvolved@torcsustainablehousing.ie

The closing date 5pm 06.08.2024

Flowers in TORC Schemes

Residents of Presentation Gardens and Pairc Ui Mhuirithe shared photos of the flowers that they planted with TEO at the planting events in April 2024.Despite the changeable weather, shortage of sunny days, the plants has been growing steadily and some started to bloom. The wildflowers in Presentation Gardens have taken over the perennials and attract bees and butterflies.

‘Message In a Bottle’

‘Message in a Bottle is a simple idea that encourages people to keep their basic personal and medical details in a common place, where, in cases of emergency, the Emergency teams can easily access them. The information required is very basic but necessary. The Personal information Form is self- explanatory; however you may like to ask a relative, friend, neighbour or carer to assist in completing the form’.

There are some delays beyond TORC control, but we are hoping to have the kits delivered soon to our office and we will be able to drop them to your homes.

Back to School Initiative

The Back-to-School initiative for TORC residents is returning for another year! Last year TORC sent out a Dunnes Stores gift card to the value of €15 to each of the 618 young TORC residents aged 4-1 to help 326 households with academic costs such as stationery, backpacks, uniform, sportswear, shoes, coats etc.

TORC will be in touch with you in the coming weeks!

Upcoming Events

Summer Event

Fota Wildlife Park and Dublin Zoo- dates and details to be confirmed

Annual Residents Satisfaction Survey

TORC Top Tip for Tenants

Road Safety: Mind Your Children and Neighbours

TORC August Top Tip is dedicated to the important aspect of road safety in our schemes. The summer season when children have a break from school, and adults tend to take time off for holidays etc. there is more commotion and traffic in the schemes.

According to gov.ie ‘summer time s the most dangerous time of the year on our roads. In the summer, when there are no obvious dangers, and the weather is fine and days are brighter, we drop our guard. Unfortunately, there is a spike in pedestrian, cyclist and motorcyclist casualties over the summer. The fine weather brings more people out and about. As drivers, we need to be on the lookout for them. Slow down and expect the unexpected’.

The number of children playing ball games, running, cycling, riding scooters, skating grows hugely in the summer season. This Top Tip is a reminder that safety of our children and neighbours come first.