Newsl etter

Unit 1, 2 Parker Hill, Rathmines Road, D 6. E-mail : thegatewaynewsletter@gmail.com

AUG
2014
Our dearest readers,
Tis August already and I dread to say, but the oul evenings will be drawing in by the end of this month, but not
to worry, we still have a whole lot of time to enjoy this fine weather we are having.
Check out on the back page all about the dates and times that Michael D is holding the weekly out-of-
hours meet-up in Caf Moda. Thanks Michael.
Anyway enjoy the read of this months issue, we shall say Hello again to ye all this time next month
and well see how short the evenings have become by then. Dont say I didnt warn ye.
Be good to yourselves and to one another. -The Newsletter Team
How To Be Happy?
Isn't this the million question? This two-part
programme which aired recently on RTE1 asked this
question. Through a series of lectures, Dr. Maureen
Gaffney, psychologist, mentored a group of Irish people
from all walks of life, on an eight month course. We
followed various peoples stories and how they are all
looking for the ethereal quality of happiness in their
daily lives.
happi ness f rom rel at i onshi ps and f ri ends
Some people told how they get the bulk of their
happiness from relationships and friends, others job
satisfaction. Dr. Maureen Gaffney said while this was
good and true, first we must have a personal sense of
happiness in our own lives and person, and it will be
reciprocated back more through our relationships/jobs.
She explained, to get a bit scientific, that 50% of our
wiring is genetic and the hand we were dealt with when
we were born; only 10% is our life circumstances as in
relationship/job/finances/age, but shockingly and
surprisingly 40% is down to our
general attitude and outlook about
life, and she could not stress strongly
enough that we could rewire our
brains so to speak, to think positively, the glass half-full,
rather than half empty attitude and this could have a
huge bearing on our sense of happiness. Even by
smiling more we are sending a signal to our brains and
this reinforces a sense of happiness, so basically we
should all smile more!
communi cat i on i s t he key
Dr Maureen Gaffney said as humans we all have basic
requirements : food, shelter, heating, clothing, the air we
breath and water but what distinguishes from the rest of
the animals, is our brains which have a great capacity
for learning. Communication is key of course in all
human relations (with a smile!).
Also, it is very important to set goals, like planning a
holiday, which a lot of people say they enjoy more than
the actual holiday! Goals are very important for our
brains and happiness!!! Ann Mari e
WRAP TRAINING
OPPORTUNITY
It has just been announced that there
will be training in WRAP facilitation
starting 18th-24th September in the
Training and Development Centre,
Cherry Orchard Hospital,
Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. Time
9.15am4.30pm. This training is
for people who have already
completed level 1 WRAP. It is free
of charge. This is a great
opportunity, especially as it could
normally cost you 800 to do! The
closing date for applications is 2pm
on Tuesday, 19th of August. If
interested contact Brendan Power on
01-6250710 or e-mail
brendan.power1@hse.ie
There is a copy of the application
form available at Gateway.
TRACK CYCLYING
GALA
Recently I attended an International
Track Cycling Event at the
Velodrome in Eamon Ceannt Park in
Crumlin, Dublin 12. I had viewed
Track Cycling on T.V. previously
but this was the first occasion that I
had attended such an event live.
The day was dry and cloudy and the
first race I watched was a duel
between two cyclists over two laps.
It was funny observing the tactics
they employed, going very slowly
for the first lap & a half before
suddenly sprinting for the finishing
line. There were various heats in this
category and a German Athlete won
the final.

The other main style was an
elimination category where the last
cyclist over the finish line lap was
eliminated until the final two left
raced for the
Title.
I enjoyed the two
hours that I spent
there. The
bicycles looked
expensive, the
Event was well
organised & the
Athletes
impressive.
Check www.trackcycling.ie for
further information. -Ri chard
A
t the last members meeting, members decided to change the rules for
the pool table. The Winner stays on rule has changed. Under the new
rule the next two people on the pool-list will play. The winner will
have to leave the table. This rule change is being introduced to
allow more people to play pool. I hope everyone agrees with the rule change.
Happy Pool Playing !!!! -Oliver R
NEW POOL RULES
Cutbacks to Disability Organisations
It is with much sadness and regret that we learned
recently of more cutbacks to 26 Disability
Organisations. With the recent reshuffle through the
department of health and the department of the
environment, basic core funding has been removed with
immediate effect, and organisations like the motor
neuron and MS Ireland and Aspergers and Alzheimer's
society etc. will be affected.
A small staff can be employed and they organise the
voluntary efforts, the fundraising and the advocacy that
gives these vulnerable minorities some chance of
having a voice in the public policies which can affect
them.
Thankfully we heard just recently that the proposed
cuts have been reversed for another year due to
lobbying. However we need to be vigilant when it
comes to being aware that funding is never certain for
the things we may care about, and this decision has
only been postponed for a year.-Ann Marie and Maura
THE POWER OF LETTING THEM KNOW HOW WE FEEL
ABOUT THEIR CUT-BACKS
W
orld Mental Health Day is on
10
th
October and coming up quick. Why
not celebrate Gateways achievements as
part of that?
We are looking for ideas of what we can do to celebrate
the project and talents of our members. Gateway has
grown into an incredible community mental health
resource over the ten years since its foundation in
2004. Our members are involved in a range of health
promotion and recovery work locally as well as
contributing to the day to day social and peer support
space in the drop in. We have a lot to celebrate and be
proud of, so get your thinking caps on as to how we can
do this and show the community just how amazing and
important a project we have become!

We need your time and your ideas. Please talk to Helen
to join the planning group and or leave your ideas in
drop-in for us to follow up on. - Fi onn
Gateway s 10t h bi rt hday cel ebrat i ons
WRAP TALK
There is a WRAP talk on the 18
August at 5.30 until 7 p.m in Dr
Steevens Hospital near Heuston
station. The talk will be given by Rona McBrierty who
is an experienced WRAP facilitator. Its free of charge
so go along if you are interested in hearing about
WRAP.
POOL COMPETITION
As everyone knows there is
always great interest when the
pool competitions come
around. It is taken very seriously indeed with an eye
on getting the Winners Certificate! On a new trial
basis we have decided to have a twice monthly pool
competition as there is such interest. On 17th July,
Tim, the arts and crafts instructor won the competition
in an exciting final. The winner on July 31 was
Nicholas who beat Michael D in a thrilling final that
went down to the black ball.
SAND SCULPTURES IN
DUBLIN CASTLE
There are some magnificent sand
sculptures in Dublin Castle until
the 27th of August. It is free of charge and you can
just wander around. There are guided tours Mondays
to Friday 10am to 4:45pm and Saturday and Sundays
from 2pm until 4:45pm.
VITAL SIGNS SURVEY
VitalSigns is a report card on the
vitality of the nation. It grades 12 key issue areas that
affect the quality of life of those who live, work, play
and learn in Ireland. Take the survey online to voice
your opinion or in person. Follow the link on the Gate-
way blog (projectgateway.blogspot.ie).
VitalSigns was first published in Europe by the Com-
munity Foundation for Ireland in 2013. Over 1,000
people in Ireland voiced their opinions. YOU have the
opportunity to have your voice heard and listened to.
Dont want to complete the survey online?
On the 4th and 5th of August the VitalSigns team
will be surveying residents in the Rathmines and Pem-
broke area. Keep an eye out for them and make sure to
have your voice heard.
Arts & Crafts
The art group did some really fun stop-
motion video during July, keep an eye
out for a link on the Gateway blog
soon! In August, Tim and the gang
will be getting up to some stencilling
with mixed materials. Check out this
gorgeous piece done previously by our own Yvonne.
Thank you to the CDETB for
supporting this programme.
A f e w o f my
f a v our i t e
t hi ng s by
Davi d
Colour: Brown
Season: The Autumn
Sound: Drum Beats
Clothes: Casual
Music: Popular Music
Film: Love Story
Book: The Lilac
Bus
Hero: Pamela
Anderson
11 Wynnefield Road, Dublin 6. Ph. 01-4965558
www.projectgateway.blogspot.com Views expressed
in this newsletter are only views of the contributors and
not views of the Gateway Project.
REIKI ONGOING
There are Reiki sessions still available to
Gateway members. Geraldine has kindly
extended her volunteering until the end of
September as she received such great feedback from members so
far. It is on in York Street in the city-centre, and its free of
charge! Ask any member of staff for details.
Caf Moda Meet-ups
Wednesdays: 30th of July, 6th , 13th and 20th August.
Time: 1 pm-2.30 pm.
Venue: Caf Moda, 192 Lower Rathmines Road
These 4 meet ups are kindly organised by the brilliant Michael
D. So head along upstairs in Moda on the above dates for great craic and
stimulating conversation. Thanks again, Michael D.
Tesco
Funding
For the next six
weeks the
Gateway Project
will be in the
running along
with two other
community
groups to receive
funds via the
Tesco
Community Fund
for good causes.
So remember if
you are doing
your shopping in
Tesco to get a
blue token and
vote for
Gateway!
MY MIND in Ranelagh is offering discounted counselling services. Vouchers
are available to Gateway members at 10 per session for 5
sessions. Contact Gateway on 01-4965558. Thank you to the ESB
for supporting this service.
THE FISHING TRIP
It started out as a pleasant and dry
day. Twelve people were on board
the mini-bus as we left Gateway. We
made our way to Rathbeggan
Adventure Centre in Co. Meath.
Those without fishing rods were
kitted out with a rod and bait from
the nice and friendly staff in the
Adventure Centre. We ate our
lunches as we fished for rainbow
trout. It was a very relaxing
afternoon. One person in the group
caught a big rainbow trout. We
unhooked it and let it swim back in
the water. Others got some nibbles.
We are looking forward to the next
trip. Thank you to Institute for the
International Education of
Students in Rathmines for funding
this trip and thank you to Garda
Gerry and Garda Brendan for
organising the trip.
Let me go
SUPPORT ACROSS THE
DIL FOR MENTAL
HEALTH

Last month there was a
debate in the Dil on mental
health and suicide. A Sinn
Fin Private Members
Motion called on the
Government to "commit to
an annual allocation of 35
million for the development
of community mental health
teams and to make good
any shortfall in any given
year in the subsequent
year's allocation".

The Motion was carried
unanimously. Several
Gateway members attended
the debate on both nights in
the public gallery, and got
to see democracy in action.
***THANK YOU***
We would like to extend warm thanks and
appreciation to all our funders, without whom
Gateway would not be here and still going so
strong! As well as those
mentioned elsewhere in
this issue, thank you to...