Marrowbone Lane flat complex lies just off School Street here in the Dublin 8 area. The Fountain Resource Group has in recent times joined forces with the local people of Marrowbone Lane to open up a youth project for the kids of the area has part of a larger project to develop the area and provide the young people with positive activities.
The Fountainstarted the youth project in Marrowbone Lane two years ago. It has gone from strength to strength and now is a very succesful day play activity centre, in the old resident association’s office. The old office is designed in 2 x empty two bedroom flats that can now hold 40 plus people including the local children and staff.
July is a very busy month for all who live not only inMarrowbone Lane but all areas the Fountain serve. July is the month the summer project kicks off and the kids of the area partake in open days as well as trips up and down the country. They can be brought out for the day from anywhere to have a game of 10 pin bowling, to a trip out to the seaside or a day trip to the Zoo depending on the age the child is. Each time I called around to see Wendy, and all the staff I kept missing them as they where always out enjoying themselves and why not?
I called into a group of young children under 12, they had only just returned from a day out to the cinema. Once inside the actual building one just knew how busy the local children had been, on the walls there was pop stick for frames, and black boards filled with their art.
The children use the centre for after school help too, like a homework club where they can go after school, do their home work, and have a hot meal which is provided by the Fountain. The children can not only do arts and crafts they are also encourged do do healthy cooking and eating, and depending on their age some go out fishing with Peter, their team leader.
Also on site are computers where they children can use them as an education tool, also there there is a snooker table, along with a Scoccer table and computer games.
For the month of July, locals with children can put their children down for the summer project, and for a mere €70.00, the children will be brought out most days, again they could go out for a day trip to Bray or Bettystown Funtasia, a popular destination with children. They could end up in the cinema where popcorn and soft drinks are provided, all day trips are provided with a pack lunch or a meal is provided.
I asked two local people who live a door away from the service in Marrowbone Lane, what they think about the services. Patrica Murray says the children who attend this service seem to love it. Patrica says without the services in the area, the local children would only have the football pitch which she pointed out to me to me which is fenced up very high and the pitch is tar not grass.
Another local resident Philomena Power says the centre is a gift for the children and their parents, her 5 year old son uses the centre and is delighted the centre provides the services it does. Philomena also states without the servies, local children would struggle with their homework.
IF you want your children to utilise the services at Marrowbone Lane please contact us at 01 4532936
Just looking to put my little girl into the homework cub