A recent funding application to the St Francis Credit Union in County Clare has proved a success for FASD Ireland. The application for funding from the Credit Unions ‘Social & Cultural Fund 2023’ was made earlier this summer, with the application being successful.

The application was made with the intention of providing awareness training to Transition Year students in Schools across the County. 

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and is associated with a range of lifelong physical, mental, educational, social and behavioural difficulties. Whilst the message from FASD Ireland and the Health Service Executive (HSE) states, “No amount of alcohol is safe when planning to conceive or during pregnancy” it is hugely important that all generations of Irish Society are aware of the risks of consuming alcohol when planning to conceive or during the pregnancy. 

The awareness training will take place online and in schools to ensure maximum impact on Students and Educators who have responsibility for the Transition Year, with around 20 Secondary Schools across Clare being offered the training.

Tristan Casson-Rennie, CEO of FASD Ireland, commented: “As a national organisation based in Ennis, we are very keen to reach young people locally to provide them with information that is important for their futures, their partners futures and ultimately their children’s futures. FASD does not just affect those who may have an addiction to alcohol, it can be from just one glass of wine/vodka on a Friday night, and the lifetime affects of that can have a massive impact on a child and of course their families. It is not about shame or blame, it is about education and awareness, and we are delighted that St Francis Credit Union have recognised the need to be able to education on this risk in Schools across Clare.”

Louis Fay CEO St Francis CU said: “As a credit union we have been serving the community for 57 Years and in that time we have seen the credit union grow from strength to strength. I am delighted to be in a position to support FASD Ireland on behalf of the members at St Francis Credit Union. We are a non-profit organisation where all funds are re-invested into the services we provide our members or used to support the common bond through Charities, sports clubs, local community events. We set up the Social & Cultural Fund back in 2018 with the main objective to support organisations such as FASD Ireland that are also a not-for-profit organisation and are proud to do so, applications for next year will open in January 2024”.

The training for Transition Years is available now. If you would like to find out more about this for your school or indeed have a child in TY, then please contact office@fasdireland.ie or call 065 6703096.