Waterford Festival of Architecture gets to grips with "The Living City"

Solas Centre’s “Food for Life” whets the appetite!

The Solas Centre, the cancer support charity dedicated to supporting cancer patients in the south east region, recently held its first “Food for Life” event.

The event gave those affected by cancer a better understanding of nutritional needs and what foods have a beneficial effect on health and well being.

Iain Munro, Chairman of the South Eastern Cancer Foundation was delighted with the evening, which was a “resounding success.”

“The Food for Life evening was a great initiative and we hope to roll out a series of similar events for the Centre’s clients in the future.  Almost 40 Solas Centre clients attended on the evening, where they were given a very insightful talk on nutrition by Senior Dietitian with Waterford Regional Hospital, Sandra Scally” said Mr. Munro.

“Good nutrition is especially important to those with cancer because both the illness and its treatment can affect one’s appetite. Cancer and cancer treatments can also affect ones’ body's ability to tolerate certain foods and use nutrients.”

Following the talk on nutrition, award winning chef Michael Quinn of Waterford Castle treated the audience to a cookery demonstration, producing three appetising and nutritious dishes.

Mr. Munro added, “This type of event is of great benefit to those affected by cancer.  Not only did they receive practical advice on nutrition, they were then able to see how easy it is to turn fresh local produce into tasty and healthy dishes.”

Maureen Reynolds, who attended Food for Life said the evening “did her the power of good.”  She added “It was a lovely evening and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming.  I learned so much from the dietitian about the importance of proper diet. The cookery demonstration was fantastic as it showed us how simple it is to prepare tasty dishes with little effort.”  Maureen is already looking forward to the next Food for Life event.

Mr. Munro acknowledged the generosity of the local businesses that supported the event, including Ardkeen Quality Food Stores, which supplied the ingredients and the produce display, Commercial Refrigeration for supplying the catering equipment, dietitian Sandra Scally and Michael Quinn of Waterford Castle.

Each year 2000 people across the South East are diagnosed with cancer.  Now regarded as one of the finest cancer support facilities in the country today, the Solas Centre provides a series of health and education initiatives, client programmes, art programmes, support groups, and counselling services for the region’s cancer patients and their families.

For further information about the Solas Centre and the services it provides call 051 304604 or visit www.solascentre.ie

South East Cancer Foundation Chairperson to step down

South Eastern Cancer Foundation - Solas Centre, the cancer support charity dedicated to supporting cancer patients in the south east region “has a very bright future “, said Iain Munro, who is to step down next month as SECF chairman after 6 years in the voluntary post. 

Acknowledging the hard work of so many people, Mr. Munro said he was delighted with the progress made in recent years at the SECF, with the building of the Solas Centre and other service initiatives, which has created a solid base for the foundation. However, he said “the needs of cancer patients in the region are great and the need to improve services provided by the foundation and expand them required a new effort, vigour and expertise in the SECF to ensure momentum was not lost.”  

“Each year across Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary, Carlow and Kilkenny, 2000 people are diagnosed with cancer. We have a duty to cancer patients to not only make cancer services in the south east as good as other regions but to surpass them.”

He thanked all the “wonderful” people who worked on committees and supported the SECF- Solas building project, including the City Mayors, CJ Falconer architects, Barry Monaghan, Gavin Duffy and design team; Paul Nolan, Quantity Surveyor, who was instrumental in bringing the project in substantially under budget; Mel Morgan, Tracy McDaid, Cathleen O’Neill, Des Whelan and the fundraising committees.  He praised Tony Fitzgerald for his “inspirational role”.  He thanked all who supported the “South East Run for Life” and all in the south east and in particular in Waterford who donated to SECF Solas.  “As the charity relies on donations 100%, their generosity was astonishing” he added. 

Mr. Munro spoke very highly of all the regional media. ”The newspapers and radio handled the many issues about cancer with great sensitivity and have worked hard to inform and change old attitudes”. He also recognised the huge commitment of WLRfm and BEAT102-103 and their key role in advancing the Solas Project.

He praised all the staff and volunteers for their dedication to a high quality professional service to clients and the work done in the background to support the mission of the SECF.  He paid tribute to Clare Shanahan for her “outstanding dedication to the needs of patients and their families and for setting the highest standards of service”.

The SECF will undertake a period of reorganisation and renewal to ensure that it is ready to take a greater role in ensuring the south east’s cancer services meet world standards.  “Cancer patients must have confidence they will be able to avail of the best support services in the years to come. The cutbacks in health spending must not affect the patients in the South East and the SECF will work to lobby for equal status for the region.  The SECF will work to ensure patients from the south east have access to the latest treatments and the newest experimental drugs by supporting partnerships with national and international institutions” he added.

Mr. Munro is confident that the SECF-Solas Centre has a bright future and with the recent addition of experienced and highly capable board members is set to develop to a higher level of operation and service.

“While much had been achieved there was much work to do, which will require new thinking, new services and constant renewal to ensure the SECF and Solas Centre constantly meets the needs of as many cancer patients in the region as possible.  The future for the SECF requires new energy, leadership, expertise and commitment in order to meet the task ahead.  The Solas Project shows what can be achieved and the future, with new leadership, will ensure its continued success.”

Under the direction of a new Chair the foundation will continue to roll out a series of health and education initiatives, client programmes, art programmes, support groups, and counselling services for the region’s cancer patients and their families.

Mr. Munro will step down as chairman next month when the SECF Board of directors will then announce the new chairperson.

Innovative company launches affordable smart phone Apps for Irish Businesses

Waterford based company bizapps.ie recently launched its new website which is set to make apps freely available to small businesses and organistations.

The company’s owners, Pat Jones and Brian Crotty, believe this will revolutionalise the development of smartphone apps and make it easy and affordable for businesses to create their own smart phone app.

With the help of bizapps.ie Irish business owners no longer need to be a software programmers because bizapps on-line editor will allow them create their own smartphone app. On bizapps.ie customers can register for free, build an app and test it in on their own devices. bizapps.ie also provides a full App Design Service and plans a series of workshops around the country to help users design and launch their own apps.

In December 2011, 55% of all mobile phone sales in Ireland were smartphones.

Pat Jones and Brian Crotty immediately recognised the potential of the smartphone market and established bizapps.ie.

According to Pat Jones, Head of Technology at bizapps.ie, businesses see smartphone apps as a very efficient way of communicating their customers. “If your customers have your app downloaded, they have access to your services at all times, and more importantly, you have the ability to send them a promotion which they can read instantly.”

“In addition, smartphone users are making purchases, booking appointments and looking for information or ideas directly from their smartphone at a time that suits them. Whatever their business or service, they need to be immediately accessible to their customers, you could say that they need to be in their pocket. Apps are the new website, and with bizapps.ie’s low pricing, this is now a feasible option for so many businesses and organisations”, he said.

bizapps.ie is a business unit of Waterford based company Handheld.ie which has been Ireland’s premier developer of mobile workforce solutions.

Ciaran Cullen, CEO (Acting) of the Waterford City Enterprise Board recognised the importance of the bizapp.ie launch. “These days offering advanced technology at an affordable price is vital. Not only is this product a breakthrough for the small business, we at the Enterprise Board see the kind of business model Pat and Brian run as one of our key growth areas. We are happy to support them in any way we can.”

Brian Crotty, Head of Marketing, added “We believe that our on-line editor site bizapps.ie provides the tools to enable anyone without programming skills to build their own app. Our site enables users to create content from over 50 page styles and types including: Menu systems, Feedback forms, Map location finders, Push notifications and Integrated RSS or Blogs. The site also provides online help tutorials and email support.”

If you are interested in testing this product contact Pat Jones or Brian Crotty on 053 941 0099 or email info@bizapps.ie.

Waterford Senior Care Specialists shortlisted in the Ulster Bank Irish Franchise Association Awards 2012

Home Instead Senior Care Waterford has been shortlisted in the finals of the Ulster Bank Irish Franchise Association Awards in not one, but two, categories.

The awards categories represent both retail and service industries and recognise excellence in franchising and reward outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals in the franchise industry.

Home Instead Senior Care has been shortlisted in the Franchisee of the Year (Service) category and also Best Women in Franchising category for Director of Care, Danette Connolly.

Danette is delighted with both nominations and said “To be nominated in both of these categories is a great endorsement of what we have been doing here in Waterford.”

“When my husband Michael and I brought the Home Instead franchise to Waterford in 2009, we knew we were bringing a well respected brand, dedicated to the provision of optimum home care to seniors. However, we like to think that we have also put our own mark on the senior care landscape in Waterford. We have a dedicated and passionate team of CareGIVERS who genuinely go above and beyond the call of duty. I am energised every time I meet a client who has formed a close warm bond with their CareGIVERS.”

As regards her own nomination in the Best Women in Franchising category Danette was equally delighted. “It is heartening to be recognised by your peers and I am thrilled to be nominated in this category.”

“For the majority of businesses the trading climate has been tough over the last few years, but if you simply don’t give up and persevere, it pays dividends in the end. I do believe that women in business are particularly resilient and have adapted well to cope with all eventualities. To be recognised, and in such good company with the other nominees, is a great honour.”

The awards will be presented at a formal black-tie awards ceremony at the RDS on Friday April 27th 2012. The award ceremony is anticipated to be an impressive business event reflecting the remarkable growth of the franchise sector in these challenging times. According to the latest Irish Franchise survey, there has been a marked increase in turnover for the sector to €2.4 billion representing an increase of 15% since the last survey in 2006. In total the Irish franchise industry contributes 4,086 operating units on the island of Ireland and offers 42,927 full-time jobs to the economy.

To find out more about the services provided by Home Instead Senior Care call Danette Connolly on 051 333966 or visit www.homeinstead.ie

2012 Waterford Festival of Architecture celebrates "The Living City "

Over 25 events in 4 days (26^th - 29^th April 2012) this festival celebrates the life of Waterford city through its inhabitants and the built environment that animates Waterford city's lively urban centre.

More than 3,000 people are expected to visit festival exhibitions with 500 attending programmed events and almost 200 children enjoying architectural workshops, a city architectural heritage trail and much more.

Check out the ‘almost free’ 2012 Waterford Festival of Architecture. Pick up a festival programme from your local library or log onto www.wfa.ie and get involved!

The festival gets underway on Thursday April 26^th with the official opening at the new centre city location of the Department of Architecture at WIT in the Granary building on Hanover Quay along with the launch of the RIAI award winning buildings exhibition. This is followed by the weekend’s feature event, a public interview with architect and artist Jack O’Hare conducted by Shane O’Toole. Jack O’Hare worked with the iconic American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The event is free and takes place at 7.30pm Garter Lane Theatre.

The other weekend highlights include;

Department of Architecture, Waterford Institute of Technology – Starting at 10.00 on Friday, the best of student projects are on display along with guest speakers Don Murphy from VMX award winning architects in Amsterdam and Andrew Griffin from JSD award winning architects based in Copenhagen.

At 2pm on Saturday the Architectural Scavenger hunt begins, this is followed by a ‘sleep out’ to raise money for the architectural student society charity – housing for Boaca in Nicaragua.

Exhibitions take place in various venues all weekend and an open day for futures students takes place on Saturday at 2pm in the Granary. All are welcome.

Drawing Workshops at Christ Church Cathedral FREE

From 2pm to 5pm on Saturday pen and ink workshops in Christchurch Cathedral of selected detail and artifacts in the Cathedral.. Come along and make a drawing or watch the artists at work. Materials supplied.

The Singing Architects

Ireland’s first group of singing architects, Staff and students from the Dept of Architecture perform an eclectic mix of music, covering all genres, from classical violin to seanos singing will perform at 5pm on Saturday at Christ Church Cathedral. Tickets just €5.

Family day on Sunday at John Roberts Square is free, bring the family to enjoy an afternoon of fun activities for adults and children alike. Join Calmast for a “Structures” workshop, a blend of presentation and participation for all ages. Alternatively pick up your family “architecture detective” trail finder map, then set out and explore the city for its architectural treasures and hidden details, while unravelling the mystery hidden in the clues! Both events start at 1pm.

You can pick up a programme from your local library, or log on to www.wfa.ie for a full list of events.

ABOUT WATERFORD FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE

The Waterford Festival of Architecture is a festival which supports architects and works towards enhancing the understanding and appreciation of architecture among the wider community, including creative practitioners of other artistic disciplines. It produces a high quality programme of events that maximise its unique status in Ireland as the first festival of architecture outside of the capital.