What’s Happening?
The plan is to transform the existing garden centre into a community social and activity centre — a warm, welcoming hub for everyone in SJF. Whether it’s a place to relax, enjoy a cup of tea, read, share meals, chat with friends, or host events, this new centre will be all about connection, comfort, and inclusion. We’re aiming to have the centre up and running later this summer!
Development Stages - Project Timeline
Stage 1: Renovating the building, choosing a name, and decorating the space to reflect its new purpose.
Stage 2: Fitting out the indoor area with furniture, accessible features, and flexible spaces for activities and relaxation.
Stage 3: Creating a welcoming and functional outdoor area that can be enjoyed by all in every season.
🖌️ July
- Internal and external painting
- Start fitting out the indoor space (tables, chairs, pictures)
- Begin planning for signage
🪑 August
- Continue interior fit-out
- Internal finishing touches
- Groundworks preparation
- Door replacement
- Begin planning for outdoor area
🌿 September
- External works and landscaping
- Final installations
- Any other items
- Ready for launch!
Centre Name
We are awaiting staff and service users to submit their favourite name suggestions for this space. A name will be decided upon shortly and a small token prize will be given to the winner.
Where Is the Funding Coming From?
This project is being made possible thanks to the generosity and support of our community. So far, funds have come from:
- Golf Classic “Drive for Difference” – €13,456
- BCD Charleville – €3,000 donation
- Mallow Credit Union, Charleville Branch – €5,000 contribution
- Bottle & Can Return Scheme – All funds raised through this initiative are being directed to support the project.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed so far.
Interested in Supporting This Project?
If you or your organisation would like to contribute or get involved, please contact Susan in Fundraising :
📧 fundraising@sjf.ie / 086 033 3310
- We warmly welcome any financial support or offers of volunteer help for this project. We’ll need assistance with both internal and external painting, planting, and levelling the backyard to ensure it’s fully accessible for everyone. Any company that supports this project will be recognised with their name displayed on a dedicated sign within the new community space.
- We’re also looking for donations of items to help bring the space to life, including bookshelves, books (especially fiction and biographies/autobiographies — no school books, dictionaries, thesauruses, or magazines, please), a mini foosball table, and decorative items like fake plants or frames for photos.
If you’d like to volunteer your time or skills, please let us know by emailing fundraising@sjf.ie
To Donate; visit here or share this link: https://www.idonate.ie/forms/sjfhub
Together, let’s create something special.