Praise for Tipperary community as refugee centre closes

The Emergency Refugee Accommodation Rest Centre that was housed in the Littleton Community Sports Hall has now closed.

The centre was opened in March 2022 by Tipperary County Council as an immediate response to the emerging refugee crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

At the invitation of the County Council, Thurles Lions Trust Housing Association took on the management of the centre in conjunction with the support of Tipperary Civil Defence.

Together with the support of a large number of local volunteers’ arrangements were put in place that saw a very safe, comfortable and welcoming environment established for those fleeing the war.

Over the 23 months that the centre was in use a total of 887 people, 565 women and 322 men, were accommodated.

The refugees arrived in 32 separate groups from the City West Refugee Hub in Dublin.

In all 272 family groups, including a total of 232 children under 15, were accommodated in Littleton, and 40% of the persons accommodated there sourced more permanent accommodation in County Tipperary.

It has been a very rewarding and personally enriching experience for those involved in supporting and befriending the refugees.

The location of the Emergency Rest Centre in Littleton would also not have been possible without the support and acceptance of the centre by the local community of Littleton and the wider area.

It has been a massive ask of the community to, not only welcome such a large group of refugees into their community but to also fore go the use of their sports complex for such an extended period.

Many locals also opened their hearts and their front doors to personally welcome and engage with those who arrived in their midst, some of whom were in a traumatised state.

Because of the welcome and support that they received the refugees found it easy to acclimatise and build relationships with members of the local community and the volunteers.

Successive groups quickly found their feet and within hours of arriving were involved in cleaning, serving, washing, and generally maintaining the centre.

Contact is still maintained, mainly through social media, between many of the first arrivals and those who welcomed them.

With the closure of the Rest Centre, it is only fitting that the significant work put in by all involved over the nearly 24-month period is acknowledged.

It would not have been possible, nor indeed would the project have been as successful as it was without the activeparticipation and support demonstrated by all of the following.

First and foremost, a massive thank you to the community of Littleton for accepting such a large cohort of strangers into their midst over such an extended period of time. Also, to the Hall Committee for making the use of the Sports Centre available.

To the cohort of volunteers who made themselves available to assist, particularly in the early months and until the centre was firmly established.

Christmas dinner at the Littleton Refugee Centre

To The Third Age Organisation, who provided the refugees with English lessons. To the staff of the dedicated Refugee Unit of Tipperary County Council, who were always available, and in a position to help and advise.

A special thank you to the members of the Civil Defence who put in many long hours, above and beyond the call of duty, in supporting, comforting, and advising the refugees on arrival and then preparing them to relocate as more suitable accommodation was sourced.

Lastly, to the support team from Thurles Lions Trust, led by Anne Bolton and comprising Yvonne Bolton, Majella Tobin, Martin Taylor, William McDonagh, Tom Tobin, Marie O’Regan, Tom McGrath and John McCormack.