An initiative to promote better understanding of outsiders in the community, such as the homeless, was launched through libraries in the 32 counties yesterday. Christine Newman reports.
The joint project by Trust, the charity which provides health and social services for homeless people, and the Public Library Service was introduced by Gerard Byrne, who plays the Fair City character Malachy.
A DVD entitled Building Trust in the Community will be made available to public libraries throughout Ireland.
Director and co-founder of Trust, Alice Leahy said: "We have been very heartened by the encouragement we've received from librarians in all parts of the country, as they represent a unique network that reaches into every community, town and village."
She said libraries were special places where there was no class distinction. The aim was to encourage people to borrow the DVD from the library and watch it with others, so that the issues raised could be discussed.
The DVD features an interview with singer Christy Moore. Ms Leahy said: "Changing attitudes is as important as getting the Government to make resources available, if we are serious about creating communities where no one is excluded."
Library Council director Norma McDermott said: "The idea of the video is to bring awareness. Libraries offer a welcome and that's what the service is all about."
Building Trust in the Community is a project created by Trust in association with The Irish Times and is co-sponsored by ESB Electric Aid.