Upcoming FASN Events
FASN Pop Up Shop
Our annual pop up shop will be located at the Longwalk Shopping Centre in Dundalk, Co. Louth. Open from Monday, 10th December until Saturday, 15th December. Times to follow.
Annual Commemoration Service 2018
Family Educational Program for Family Members living with addiction issues
Are you living in Ireland’s North East? We are running a Family Educational Program for Family Members living with addiction issues
Does someone you love have alcohol or/and drug issues?
We know how difficult this is. Addiction is a complex issue that affects individuals and their families and the wider community. Families can become disconnected, our relationships suffer and we can feel isolated and helpless.
F.A.S.N are hosting the highly recommended Family Educational Program for family members developed by the The Rise Foundation, which offers practical support, relevant education, coping strategies and the opportunity for people to connect through their shared experiences.
Three programs will run in the following areas:
The Stables, Drogheda, Co. Louth on 4th October for 10 weeks from 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Kells People’s Resource Centre, Lord Edward St, Townparks, Kells, Co. Meath on 4th October for 10 weeks from 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Ardee (venue tbc) on Thursday 22nd November for 10weeks from 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Please contact F.A.S.N for further details or to book your place on the following numbers:
087 904 6405 / 042 935 5251
Click here to listen to LMFM Podcast, 6th September 2018, interview starts at 29mins
COMING SHORTLY…Fun Raising Fund Raising Auction
Not the Antiques Roadshow, but a fun auction of attractive wee bits and pieces…handbags, halogen oven still in the box, attractive bric a brac, etc etc. There’s quite a bit of stuff, anything unsold will go into our pop up shop in December.
It will be 5 Euros for a ticket, and since not everyone may go home successful in the bidding, you’ll get a wee bite to eat and a bit of socialising for your money anyway, and you’ll have had the fun of bidding without the terror that your itchy nose has just cost you thousands!
There is a limit to the number of tickets for sale, so don’t miss out. It’s planned for Wednesday 22nd August at 7pm in the Lios Dubh Centre, Armagh Road, Dundalk, A91 T668. Nothing will cost vast sums but you will need to have some cash on you!!! Tickets will be available through your family support group or email info.fasn@gmail.com
FASN Fundraiser – Open Garden, Car Boot Sale & Duck Race
On Bank Holiday Monday May 7th 2018, the Family Addiction Support Network will host their annual Open Garden Day, Car Boot Sale and Rubber Duck Race at the beautiful gardens of Brendan & Jackie McKenna, Muff, Kingscourt, Co Cavan. A great crowd is expected again this year at the event.
The gardens were lovingly developed by Brendan over the years and this year’s event will be all the more poignant as he passed away suddenly earlier this year in January. The McKenna family along with the Family Addiction Support Network is delighted to work in conjunction with newly developed Men’s Shed, Kingscourt in preparing the gardens for the Open Day.
Festivities will at begin at 2pm with a scenic stroll around the garden full of color where new life is guaranteed to lift the spirits! One could then meander through the ‘bric o brac’ stalls in the hope of acquiring a satisfying bargain and quench their hunger pangs in Bella’s Kitchen with delicious homemade cakes, pastries, and exotic cheesecakes.
Dudley Farrell, Nobber is MC for the Duck Race and will keep the crowd entertained with jokes, spot prizes and exciting commentary as hundreds of little plastic ducks will tumble over the bridge into the river and jostle each other for the winning positions. Tickets will be on sale on the day to see who will have the “Quickest Quacker in Town!”
“It’s always an exciting day here in Muff”, said Family Support Specialist, Gwen McKenna “and we’d like to thank the volunteers who made this happen and the community for coming out to join us in the fun. In particular we’d like to thank the newly formed Men’s Shed Kingscourt for all the weeding planting, cleaning, and general all round help in preparing for our big day. It wouldn’t have happened without them!
All monies raised on the day will go towards providing the much need services provided by the Family Addiction Support Network to families in the North East.
The Family Addiction Support Network (FASN) is a project that is developed, managed and serviced by volunteers trained in addiction issues, many of whom has lived experience of addiction. Currently there is a network of four groups in the North East Region that supports family members who have been affected by addiction issues.
We provide support to families of those in addiction, including peer support, counselling, help in dealing with drug related intimidation, and a 24 hour helpline. We cover the North East Region of Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan. It’s the commitment of our fundraisers which allows us to provide these services and to continue to give support to families in times of crisis.
The Family Addiction Support Network aims to assist families in the North East achieve a greater understanding of the impact of addiction, help them improve their quality of life and help them fulfill a positive role in the recovery of their loved one, should they choose to take it.
We represent the collective voice of families to raise awareness of associated problems of substance misuse and work for positive change in policy and practice for family members affected by addictive behavior said Jackie McKenna, Chairperson for the Family Addiction Support Network
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Gwen McKenna at 042 935 5251 or email at info.fasn@gmail.ie.
RISE Foundation family programme
The next RISE Foundation family programmes will be held in Drogheda.
Location: The Stables, Batchelors Lane, on Thursday, April 19th, 2018.
The stress, anxiety and worry of having a loved one who has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, drugs, or addictive behaviour can have physical, emotional, social, and spiritual consequences.
Family members who are affected by the impact of someone else’s addictive behaviour often feel confused, frustrated, angry, helpless and completely exhausted.
The RISE family programme helps to reduce anxiety, stress and confusion for the family members. It promotes healing by identifying how addictive behaviour can impact the family and what family members can do to take care of themselves.
By becoming aware of the beliefs and experiences that shape their own behaviours, participants identify new, healthy ways of coping with addiction and relationships.
This 10-week non-residential programme has been developed to create awareness and educate families with loved ones in addiction and is run one evening per week, for 3 hours per session. Each programme is attended by up to 12 participants and is facilitated by 2 qualified and experienced RISE addiction counsellors. The format is a combination of lectures and group therapy.
If you are interested in these programmes, contact F.A.S.N. at any of the numbers below or by email.
042 93 55251 / 087 9046405 / info.fasn@gmail.com
F.A.S.N., the RISE Foundation & Turas would like to acknowledge the help & support of the North East Regional Drugs & Alcohol Task Force, the Health Service Executive, Meath Local Sports Partnership & Louth Local Sports Partnership.