St. Enda's Social Service Club

The club co-ordinate the Clare Care Collection and organise the senior citizens christmas party.

Secretary: Mary Mooney - 086 865 3926

Treasurer: Brendan Cusack - 065 707 4164

The information below on Clare Care was taken from the www.clarecare.ie website as reference material.

Clarecare was originally established as Clare Social Service Council in November 1968. Its development was part of a national drive in the late 1960s as a means for coordinating and developing local services for the elderly. Through local voluntary initiative and the support of the Catholic Bishop of Killaloe, Bishop Harty, the Clare Social Service Council was setup.

In the beginning Clarecare was Ennis based with one office in 81 O’Connell Street (Later Clarecare moved to the old convent in Maurer’s Lane before finally settling in Harmony Row). In 1969 Government funding enabled the employment of social workers and nurses, and this led to the expansion of Clarecare services countywide. Voluntary and religious support for the work also continued through additional social workers who were available from the Sisters of Mercy and the Little Sisters of the Assumption.

By the end of the 1970s Clarecare was working closely with and on behalf of agencies such as the HSE West in relation to clients, and advocacy on behalf of clients. Its work with the elderly had extended into services for children and families as more needs were identified; these included the adoption service, addiction services and counselling services, and an extension of the Home Help service.

McAuley House, Spanish Point

In the late 1980s Clare Social Services was renamed Clarecare. The new name reflected the entire county and was imbued with a strong sense of commitment to caring. During the 1980s and the 1990s Clarecare expanded its Family Support Services and forged a successful partnership with HSE West in the area of child protection. It continued to consolidate its experience in Child Protection, Family Services, and Community Childcare, and its continued work with the elderly in Clare.

These services now make up the core of its support to the community at large.

Tracey Guilfoyle, who finished tenth in the Women's Mini Marathon 2004, presents a cheque with money she raised for Clarecare's counselling service to Fiacre Hensey , Clarecare General Manager, and Mike O'Toole of Clarecare's Counselling Service

Clarecare today employs 30 professionally qualified staff. However, still a large number of volunteers throughout the county support Clarecare’s work by helping with a range of services including:

Children’s holidays
Holidays for elderly people
Community Information
Home and hospital visitation
Transport
Thrift shops
Accommodation
Fundraising

FUNDING
Clarecare’s primary source of funding is the Health Service Executive, with some funding coming from Dept. of Environment, Dept. of Art, Sport & Tourism, and Family Support Agency. The balance of Clarecare’s funding comes from donations, fundraising activities and bequests.

Clarecare relies on the support and generosity of the general public. You too can help by making a donation or setting up a standing order in favour of Clarecare.

Clarecare is a registered Charity and is approved for Tax Relief for Donations to eligible charities under section 848A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. This means that Clarecare can claim a refund of tax on any donation of €250 or over made by a PAYE payer. Businesses and self employed can also claim relief against tax liability.