Southside Partnership - People Partnerships & Possibilities

“Building an inclusive
and just society”

Supporting People, Supporting Communities

Southside Partnership DLR

Southside Partnership DLR was established in 1996 as an independent local development company delivering a range of programmes and services in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown. The principal programmes the organisation delivers are: the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP); the Local Area Employment Service (LAES) and the Tús Community Work Placement Initiative. The Partnership also runs a Community Employment Scheme and is involved in a number of projects financed through European funds. It hosts HSE funded initiatives such Healthy Food Made Easy and Living Well with Dementia, as well as a project called Southside Addressing Violence Effectively (SAVE) funded by TUSLA and the Healthy Dún Laoghaire Rathdown programme.

A big part of our work is focused on people, as we understand that they are key to making change happen. We encourage people to expand their knowledge, learn new skills and develop the confidence to pursue their goals.

We work with community leaders, community groups, local organisations and the services and agencies that serve them and encourage them to come together to decide on what’s important to them, to take steps to get things done in their local area and to build stronger more resilient communities.

Years Supporting
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

Our Vision

To see an inclusive and just society, without discrimination, where people are encouraged and enabled to reach their full potential within strong vibrant communities.

Our Mission

Working in partnership to improve social and economic inclusion and build vibrant communities in Dún Laogharie Rathdown.

We do this by:

Increasing access to services, education, employment, culture and recreational activities for people who are experiencing disadvantage or social exclusion;
Facilitating partnership with local community groups to achieve active and effective community engagement and community participation;
Working in partnership with local communities, agencies, local elected representatives and state funded bodies to build strong, healthy, sustainable and equitable communities;
Influencing policy by researching issues and contributing to working groups and committees on relevant policy related issues;
Advocating for policies, supports and services that address gaps in relation to unmet needs, dignity and human rights.

Southside Partnership DLR

Our Partnership Approach

The work of ‘partnership’ is all about creating the conditions for dialogue so that there is a better understanding of ‘what will work’ and make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities.

We see our partnership approach as:

Engaging directly and honestly with individuals, their families and communities; and working in ways that are directly relevant to the challenges and opportunities that become apparent to them in their daily lives;
Learning from experience and making sense of the various forms of data that we produce and access;
Communicating an informed view of the reality of people’s lived experience as we address the causes of poverty and social exclusion;
Enabling the interface between communities that experience disadvantage and the services that they need;
Making sense of national government policy by anticipating and commenting on policies and decisions that directly impact on the lives of people and on groups who live with inequality and limited access to education, health and community services;
Sustaining collaboration and the growth of a ‘partnership culture’ by building trust, effective governance, and addressing the risks associated with dis-jointed thinking in the implementation of local development strategies;
Equipping citizens – particularly those who are socially excluded – with the necessary information and skills to engage with the structures and agencies that plan and deliver services across the county.