'There was a variety of people but mostly Irish living there. Some had alcohol issues, depression, broken relationships etc.'

'There was a variety of people but mostly Irish living there. Some had alcohol issues, depression, broken relationships etc.'

Rosemary describes her final job working for an Irish centre in London which provided social care services to vulnerable members of the Irish community in the city.

Rosemary McCloskey

Trinity College Dublin

2005

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Rosemary McCloskey

Work and Employment

Life Story

London, England

2000's

I took up my final job in St Eugene Court in Queens Park, London on 1st March 2005. I left it on 30th April 2011.This was a residential post and I had a flat as part of the deal. My work this time was to provide support for tenants with low support needs. There was a variety of people but mostly Irish living there. Some had alcohol issues, depression, broken relationships etc but they were more than able to fend for themselves. Some of them would have been very isolated if they had been living in ordinary accommodation and part of my work was to organise events in the house where they could socialise.I got the garden up and running and some of the tenants took great pride in taking care of it. In summer we had barbecues and lunches in the garden and in the colder weather I would make dinners for them once a month in the sitting room. At Christmas I made a big Christmas dinner for them and most would attend that. I also ensured that their spiritual and religious needs were provided for. I was the link person with social services, Brent borough council and other agencies. I loved this job and was very happy in St Eugene Court. I had great support from Aidan O'Kane who is one of the top management people in the organisation. I learnt a lot from my time in London. I miss it and of course the climate of London which so much warmer than Belfast. However it is good to be home once again.Alas time has taken its toll and I had to make a decision to bid farewell to St Eugene Court. I keep in touch with the tenants and the lady who has taken my place, as it would be difficult to simply walk away and forget those who have been part of my life for the past six years.

Irish Research Council for Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)