The rural women digging in to help others through the pandemic

During the pandemic, a Dungannon-based organisation has been working hard to support rural women with their concerns, whether it be financial, emotional or practical.

In ‘normal’ times, Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network (NIRWN), which was established in September 2006 and works with 250 rural women’s groups, helps rural women with issues including childcare, rural transport, social isolation, health and wellbeing, education and training, poverty and the economy and access to services.

In the recent months of uncertainty, it has developed innovative ways to provide a listening ear and address the concerns of rural women across the Province.

NIRWN’s newly appointed community engagement officer, Paula McAliskey said: “NIRWN’s role during the Covid-19 crisis was to respond to the needs of our members and as a result of our contact with them we were able to address some of the key challenges.

“Social isolation was and still is a major issue and it has become evident to us during lockdown that digital poverty is a factor.”

She added: “Not everyone is fortunate enough to have computer devices, smartphones and broadband connectivity. For those who are self-isolating this has further exacerbated their feelings of detachment from the wider population.

“Our aim is to keep people connected digitally and reduce their feelings of loneliness and isolation by delivering activities for women who are experiencing the effects of social isolation.

“We recently received funding from The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust to purchase tablets to support our membership in these unprecedented times by increasing our ability to deliver services via digital outreach.This will assist our members who have been unfairly impacted by the coronavirus crisis so they can benefit from information and interaction through a digital platform. This will enable rural women to maintain the groups and social contact they have been familiar with prior to the pandemic.”

Paula has been in regular phone and email contact with members over recent months to discuss any issues they might be experiencing.

The organisation started a mental health and wellbeing focus on Facebook, based on the Public Health Agency’s Take 5 approach to mental health and wellbeing.

Paula said this was “very positive and interactive”, with vlogs and relaxation techniques/activities. In addition NIRWN also established Facebook Live sessions asking people to share their wellbeing tips. The wellbeing videos can also be viewed on NIRWN’s dedicated YouTube channel.

A private Facebook group called Fed up to Fabulous was set up, where participants could share and post what was working for them during the lockdown or just have a “rant” about how fed up and stressed they were feeling.

“It is a safe space to share views and feelings without judgement and has accumulated almost 300 participants,” said Paula.

NIRWN also created a new fortnightly e-zine with updates on financial/employment information, support organisations and good practice sharing (what communities are doing to support each other).

Paula also pointed out the e-zine contained “the not so serious stuff which was just as important”, including kids’ online activities, podcasts, popular apps, exercise videos, and more.

Louise Coyle, director of NIRWN pointed out the organisation’s ‘SELFIE’ programme began recently in both Cookstown and Magherafelt. She explained: “This is a bespoke programme about women empowering women, to feel more confident, meet new friends and develop new skills and is for rural women based in the Mid-Ulster District Council.”

Lousie said it’s a free programme and NIRWN hope to be able to run it regionally in all areas in the future.

Over the coming months, NIRWN will continue to work hard to support rural women during these unprecedented times.

“We will be rolling out a series of online classes over the next few months that rural women can participate in,” said Paula.

“We will also be connecting with women on an informal basis weekly via Zoom for a coffee and chat; this will be open to all to pop in. In addition we will be holding ‘Getting to Know You’ clinics which will allow support organisations to connect with rural women and inform them of the services which they can provide.”