Primary schools receive chessboards as part of Stepping Out Programme
A selection of hand crafted chessboards and playing pieces were presented to primary schools from Athlone during a National Learning Network (NLN) Stepping Out programme presentation in the Civic Centre.
The 'Chessboards for Primary Schools' project is a partnership between the Stepping Out Programme and Athlone Drugs Awareness Group who funded the project. Students participating in the Stepping Out programme, supported by their instructors, made 15 chessboards and playing pieces for a number of local primary schools as part of the initiative.
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Cllr Frankie Keena, Mayor Athlone and Moate Municipal District, John Warburton, teacher St. Mary’s NS, Tina Elliffe, Athlone Drug Awareness, Anthony Rowan, NLN, Martin Killian, Stepping Out, pupils Crystal Odigbo, Arina Likso and Ishan Sachin at the NLN Stepping Out chess board presentations in the Civic Centre. Photo Paul Molloy. PaulMolloy (2024)Image 2 of 3
Cllr Frankie Keena, Mayor Athlone and Moate Municipal District, Sara Ganly, NLN, Amelia Keena, principal Ardnagrath NS, Galina Fjodorobh, Athlone Drug Awareness, Cllr Paul Hogan with pupils Ryan Rushe, Maisey O’ Brien, Sarah Reynolds and Leo Colgan. PaulMolloy (2024)Image 3 of 3
Cllr Paul Hogan, Cllr Frankie Keena, Mayor Athlone and Moate Municipal District, Daniel Flannery, Stepping Out, Galina Fjodorobh, ADA, Ken Dowling, NLN, Deirdre Casey, teacher Cornamaddy CNS, Cllr Paul Hogan, pupils Nina Perira Miley, Milan Kapoor and Riyansh Agarwal at the NLN Stepping Out chess board presentations in the Civic Centre. Photo Paul Molloy. PaulMolloy (2024)Athlone NLN Manager Anthony Rowan said the initiative provides education, trainin, and development opportunities for people with disabilities or people requiring additional supports throughout the local community.
"Our work supports people to make successful transitions, whatever their stage in life. We can help with transition from school to the adult environment, access to vocational training, support with getting a job, recovery and wellness, improving individuals' health, enhancing quality of life and achieving successful inclusion in the community.
"Thanks to the financial support of LWETB, HSE and Probation Services we can provide fully funded training courses for people who have mental health issues, learning difficulties, autism or have a disability. Students are supported to fulfil their own goals, whether this is to get a qualification or a job, or to enhance personal development," Mr Rowan said.
Chairperson of the Athlone Drug Awareness Group, Cllr Frankie Keena expressed his delighted to be associated with the Athlone Stepping Out programme with the provision of funding.
He praised the hand made quality of the chessboards made by the Stepping Out students under guidance from their instructor Kenny Dowling and also gave special thanks to Anthony Rowan, Jim McNamee and Neil Flannery for all their work on the initiative.
"The fact that the chessboards are being presented to our local primary schools makes this project even more special and I am confident that they will be a big hit with the students," Cllr Keena said.
Cllr Keena expressed his gratitude to all the members of the Athlone Drug Awareness Group for their ongoing voluntary work in relation to creating awareness about the dangers of substance misuse, commending the Midland Regional Drug and Alcohol Taskforce for all its support.