Garden Trail

June 2014 Newsletter

June schedule

 

It is with great sadness that we are announcing one of Gateway's most beloved and respected tutors, the wonderful George Ferguson, has passed away.

Writing creates a joyful bond

George worked and supported the development of the Gateway creative writing group for many years as a part time tutor with the City of Dublin VEC.  Creative writing through George became a steady feature at Gateway providing an important outlet for many of our writers to explore and nurture their talents as well as providing a space to make friends and share with others from the local community.  How George came to writing, publishing and teaching later in life is the basis of a short piece he wrote for writing.ie entitled Finding Your Niche which describes in his own words the joy he found in writing and teaching.

We will be forever grateful to George for his generosity of spirit, his charming humour, encouragement and inspired commitment to creative writing and the people involved in it at Gateway.  The writing group is still going strong and testament to this good work. The group is now under the guidance of Maria Jones, a kindred spirit we believe and one as dedicated to the joyful bond as George.

Fondly missed by those who had the good fortune to know him.  Our heartfelt sympathies extend to his family and loved ones.

May George rest in peace, love and light.

With thanks and solidarity,

Fionn

For details of George's memorial service, please see the Irish Times notice of the 27 May 2014.

FERGUSON, George Wesley - May 18, 2014 (at home, suddenly but peacefully). Husband of Florence; father of Kenneth, Stephen and Christine; grandfather of Helen, Jane, Kate, Ruth and Rachel. Devoted companion of Mary, and encourager of aspirant writers. Body donated to R.C.S.I. for medical research. Memorial Service at Wesley House, Leeson Park, at 7.00 p.m. on Sunday June 1, 2014.

Gateway goes mobile for Africa Day

Join us for Africa Day this Sunday 25th May

A group of merry Gateway folk will be making their way to the festivities together from the city centre this Sunday.

Meet Gateway members and Mary M at 12.30 at the GPO on O’Connell Street, this Sunday 25^th May to take the shuttle bus to Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park for Africa Day.

If you'd like to meet up with the group at the Phoenix Park at any time, call/text Mary on the Gateway mobile to make contact. Mary might not hear the phone ring when in the park as there will be music so text her if you can’t find the group.

Check out the videos below to see a sample of past festivities

Enjoy the day!

Africa Day checklist

Bring with you

 Bus pass / bus fare in and out of city centre (shuttle buses are free)

Your phone with Gateway’s number 085-7521220 so you can make contact with Mary if you need / want to

 Water & packed lunch

Some money (€10+) if you plan to eat there or would like to try the food / drinks on the day

Umbrella and/or waterproof jacket  &/or  Sunglasses / sun hat depending on the day J (sun cream if you’re unused to sunshine)

        From last year in 2013                                  From 2012's Africa Day

Body Waves (Starting 5th June 2014)

 

Support National #TimetoTalk Day, May 16th 2014

Start your conversation on National #TimetoTalk Day Tomorrow, Friday May 16th has been designated National Time to Talk Day. Play your part by simply making the time and space for a conversation about mental health with family, friends and colleagues. You don’t need to be an expert to start talking about mental health or have all the answers. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is to let someone know that you are there for them and simply listen. Donate a tweet/post to the Green Ribbon thunderclap campaign on National Time to Talk Day Add the Green Ribbon twibbon to your profile pics Tweet using the hashtag #TimetoTalk Pick up your free Green at Irish Rail stations and Citizens Information centres Check out one of the Green Ribbon events happening around Ireland this May Start a conversation about mental health http://greenribbon.ie/start-the-conversation.php Who will you have your conversation with?

Copyright © 2014 See Change National Mental Health Stigma Reduction Partnership, All rights reserved