Cura cares for its volunteers
15 February 2001
“Supporting the Cura Volunteer” is the theme of the 24th Cura Annual Conference, at the West County Hotel, Ennis from 23 to 25 February.
“The Year 2001 is the International Year of the Volunteer and an opportune time for Cura to address the support systems needed by its volunteers”, comments Mairead Curran, National Co-ordinator.
She continues: “The focus of the conference programme is to explore the benefits of supervision, one of the primary support methods in counselling. The purpose of supervision in counselling is to ensure that the counsellor is addressing the needs of the client and that best practice and ethical standards are maintained throughout the process.”
The Conference will take time to discuss the effectiveness of Cura’s national pregnancy counselling Helpline, introduced in January.
“The Helpline was introduced as a direct response to the changing needs of our clients and will, we hope make it easier for people to contact us if they need help”, comments Mairead.
Ms. Mary Hanafin, TD, and Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children will officially open the Conference. Speakers include the President of Cura, Dr Colm O’Reilly, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Ms. Margaret Collins Smith, M.I.A.C.T, M.I.A.H.I.P and Dr. William Walsh, Bishop of Killaloe. The “Cura Annual Report” for 2000 will be launched at the Conference.
CURA (an Agency of the Irish Bishops’ Conference) was founded in 1977 as a caring service for women who are unhappily pregnant. Today, Cura has 400 volunteer counsellors in 17 regional centres around the country. Cura volunteers provide counselling to over 11,000 women each year.
The Cura Helpline 1850 62 26 26 is open from 9.30am – 9.00pm Monday to Friday and from 10.00am – 5.00pm on Saturdays.
ENDS
Further information:
Fr Martin Clarke 087 220 8044
Ms Brenda Drumm 087 233 7797
