Adult Literacy Information
The East Galway Adult Literacy Services provide classes in Reading, Writing, Spelling and Maths. Classes are available both daytime and evenings. We provide referrals to Adult Literacy Classes or phone Bridget Tomson at 087-6404438.

Care and Repair Programmes
Solas Resource Centre in Partnership with the Rural Social Scheme areproviding a small care and repair service for the elderly living in the Solas catchment area. The repairs could include replacing locks in doors and windows, changing light bulbs, cleaning gutters, hanging pictures on walls and other small jobs that the elderly find difficult to do themselves. The service is free and application forms are available in the Solas Resource Centre.

Citizen Information Clinic (Outreach Service)
This provides free, confidential and impartial information on Social Welfare, Employment Rights, Health Services, Family Law, Taxation etc. This service is provided in SOLAS on the first Wednesday of the month by appointment only.

Clothes Bank
We accept all clothes and shoes inside bags. No quilts or pillows, please. Clothes bank available behind Duffy’s Hardware, Delaney’s Trading post and in Joyce’s car park.

Computer Course
We offer an eight-week computer course to individuals over 55 years of age. No previous experience is necessary. Please ring Solas for further details or to register for class.

Counselling Service
Counselling and psychotherapy is offered by a trained therapist who provides an impartial and safe environment for clients to explore specific issues and develop more satisfying and resourceful ways of living. This service is both confidential and affordable.

Domestic Violence Outreach Service
Waterside House domestic violence outreach service provides refuge and support for women to live free from violence. If violence in the home is an issue contact Waterside house directly on 091-565985 or contact Solas on 093-36446.

Family Support Services
Support and advice offered for parents who need help with their children’s behavioural issues. This service is offered through Tuam Family Services once week. Ring Solas for further info.

Galway Advocacy Service
Working with young people between the ages of 16 to 21 years old, who have dropped out of the education system or who are at high risk of dropping out , with the aim of achieving educational training or employment progression and long term independent living, remember the service is confidential, friendly, and free of charge.

Information Service
Leaflets and forms on: Health Issues, Social Welfare, Education, Courses, Grants Motor Tax, Driving Licences, passport application form etc.

MABS (Outreach Service)
Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is a national, free, confidential and independent service for people in debt or in danger of getting into debt. The service is free and confidential and can help you escape the poverty trap. The Service is available Bi-Weekly in our Centre. For an appointment please contact MABs directly at 0761072560

Meals on Wheels
Would you like a hot nutritious meal at a reduced price delivered to your home? Meals on Wheels is a service delivered by Solas FRC. All meals are prepared by the Angler’s Rest. Contact Solas for further information.

Office Services
Copying, Faxing, Laminating, Computer and Internet Access and Meeting Room space. Check with us for pricing and availability.

Rainbows
Rainbows support group is a peer support programme, which assists children who are grieving a death, separation or other painful transition in their family. Rainbows help by providing a safe setting in which participants can talk through their feelings with others who are experiencing similar situations. They are helped to articulate their feelings by a facilitator or listener.

Rural Transport Initiative
The Rural Transport Initiative is a national pilot initiative aimed at people in rural areas who are excluded because transport is not available, accessible or affordable to them locally. The principles of this system are: to take account of the social and economic needs; to make the service available within specific areas; to complement rather than compete with existing transport; to make transport accessible to the mobility impaired; and to use local knowledge in the development of the service. Rural Transport is available on Wednesdays to Tuam and on Fridays into Headford. Phone: 093-36446 or Lena on 087-2873542 to book a place on the bus.

Security Alarms
Pendant security alarms available to those over 65 who live alone or live with someone else who is also over 65. Call into Solas FRC for more details.

Telephone Befriending Service
For vulnerable individuals living alone.

Galway Rural Development
Need employment/ education assistance, advice and training? Galway Rural Development (GRD) now have an employment officer based in Solas Resource Centre (Headford) this is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL one to one service offers assistance with CV’s and interviews and also training courses aimed at helping people to gain work. The employment officer will be available every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 2-5 pm. Call (093) 26211 or (087) 7035556. The Solas Family Resource Centre is your one-stop-shop for a wealth of information, leaflets, forms, and personal advice on Health Issues, Social Welfare, Education etc.

The team in Solas work hard to keep up to date on all the issues that can affect individuals and families in this area. Please feel free to call, write or drop in for whatever help and advice you may need.

Chances are, if we can’t help you, we can put you in touch with those who can. Remember, it’s your Resource Centre, here to help you.

History of Solas

In 1999, as part of the Government’s Partnership 2000 Programme, the Department of Social, Community & Family Affairs pro-actively targeted a number of areas in the country for the development of new Family Resource Centres. As part of this process Headford, Co. Galway was identified as an area in which a Family Resource Centre was to be established.

During 2002, a series of meetings were organised by West Training & Development with local community groups, activists and statutory agencies to discuss the setting up of a Family Resource Centre in the Headford area. This included meetings with key groups and individuals and a number of more general public information meetings. Arising from this consultation / information process a core group of local people volunteered to work with West Training & Development to set about developing a 3-year workplan for the Family Resource Centre. This entailed identifying the needs in the local area that a FRC could address, outlining the aims and objectives for the FRC and agreeing the key target groups that the Resource Centre would seek to work with and support.

Solas opened to the public in September 2005 starting off with one office and a full-time Co-ordinator. In 2006 a part- time administrator was appointed and made full – time in 2007. Due to its increased success Solas Family Resource Centre moved to bigger premises on the Main Street in Headford in August 2007, a big step up from their humble beginnings in a small room in the Parish Hall so as to expand even more and provide more services and supports to the community.

‘Solas’ means light which reflects the ethos of the organisation. The centre is a Community run project and values the input of all the people in the area on what issues need addressing.

The official launch of Solas Family Resource Centre, Headford took place on Saturday 28th of June 2008. The launch was performed by Michael Kitt TD Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (with special responsibility for local services).

Solas Family Resource Centre
Main Street, Headford, Co Galway, Ireland.  H91 H6H0
Phone 093-36446    Fax 093-36447    www.solasfrc.ie    info@solasfrc.ie

Opening Hours – 9.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday