Spink Knitting Group The knitting group in Spink resume activities on Thursday next, November 3rd from 10.30am in Headens Lounge. New members are most welcome so if you enjoy knitting and a chat in a comfortable and cosy setting please come along and join us.

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NCBI -Portarlington Pre Loved Boutique is looking for Volunteers. A fantastic opportunity to be part of the circular fashion drive. Preloved is the new NEW. Be part of a dynamic team in Portarlington. You can help choose and present the fantastic gems to be found in our fab donations. Roles available for everyone – Treasure hunters , Window artists , tea drinkers , book lovers , film buffs , cashiers , steamers and pricers !!! Everyone brings something different to the role and all extra training will be provided. This is a great opportunity to get involved in a totally new way of charity shopping! Meet new friends, learn new skills, great for your CV. For more information or to apply, please see the link below: https://www.i-vol.ie/volunteer-opportunity/?ID=a004G00000nFjnC

One County, One Book is an initiative that encourages people in Laois to read and discuss the same book together in their communities, libraries, workplaces and schools. The book chosen for this month is Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, which has just recently been shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize. The library service has a large number of copies available to the public to request in branches, in addition to online through our Borrowbox app. We are currently working with book clubs and schools across the county to ensure that as many people as possible get a chance to read. Claire Keegan will also be visiting Laois for the upcoming Leaves Festival in November to take part in readings and workshops, with more information available here. We have recently started lending the Codema Home Energy Saving Kits in our branches for a two-week period. With 5 easy-to-use tools and 6 practical exercises, this kit allows you to get a better understanding of the energy usage in your home, problem areas that may need your attention and ways to improve energy efficiency. The kits are available in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Mountmellick, Abbeyleix, Mountrath, Rathdowney and Durrow – contact the libraries directly to request a kit. Click here for more information. Laois Libraries has a very active social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter and TikTok. Follow along for updates on all library events, watch videos of our storytimes, baby book clubs, crafts and book reviews, and much more. Click on the icons below to take a look! As always, our range of free online services are available including eBook, eAudiobooks, newspapers, magazines, language classes, online courses and more. For information about these services, please contact your local library or visit https://laois.ie/departments/libraries/. Laois Libraries Online Book Club reads one book a month chosen from the BorrowBox collection. Join us on the last Wednesday of each month when questions are posed for discussion on our Book Club Facebook page. You can join the group via this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/315513126404037. New members are always welcome. Here are some of the free events, activities and clubs taking place in our libraries throughout November – contact the libraries directly for more information or to book a place! Abbeyleix Library – Call 057 8730020 or email abbeyleixlibrary@laoiscoco.ie Staying Connected @ the Library – If you are interested in learning more about your smartphone, tablet, iPad or laptop, register your name with the library for the upcoming series of classes taking place on Friday mornings at 11am. Classes will run on 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th November. Kids Coding Workshop – taking place on Thurs, 10th Nov at 5pm. Do you have a child interested in computer coding, gaming and other applications? Register your interest by calling or emailing the library. Geology Workshop – a children’s workshop on rock and fossil identification will take place on Sat, 19th Nov at 12noon. Learn about different Irish rock types, try to identify samples and take a look at Irish fossils! The session will be followed by a short art and craft session. Register your interest by calling or emailing the library. All welcome! Lego Freeplay – Lego freeplay sessions for children take place every Thursday evening from 4pm-5pm. All welcome! Junior Chess Club – the junior chess club is up and running in Abbeyleix Library! Join us in the library every Saturday morning at 10am to test your logic skills and battle it out with other chess enthusiasts. Adult Book Club – meets on the last Thursday of the month at 6:30pm. Next meeting takes place on Thurs, 24th Nov. Knitting Group – the group meet every Tuesday morning at 10:30am. All levels of skill are welcome to come along for chats and tea. Art Gallery – the gallery is hosting an exhibition by Abbeyleix Photography Club for November. The exhibition contains a mix of photographs taken by enthusiasts from landscapes, animals and portraits taken locally. A launch of the exhibition will take place on Thurs, 3rd Nov at 6pm. All welcome! Durrow Library – Call 057 8736090 or email durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie Eating As We Age Talk – As part of Healthy Ireland, join Laura Mahony from LM Nutrition on Tues, 1st Nov at 6:30pm as she discusses healthy eating as we age. Call or email the library for more details. Booking advised. Halloween Craft Table – come along to the library for a special Halloween themed kids craft table on Weds, 2nd Nov from 11am-1pm. Adult Book Club – The club is currently reading the One County, One Book pick of Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. Next meeting takes place on Tues, 8th Nov at 6pm. All welcome. Lego Creation Competition – Calling all master builders! Join us in the library on Wednesdays from 2pm-4pm for a different Lego building challenge each week. Booking advised. • On 2nd Nov, have fun at a free play Lego session. • On 9th Nov, join forces with one another to create “The Great Wall of Lego”. • On 16th Nov, join forces to create a big MEGA race course. Irish Circle – the Irish Circle group will meet up in the library on Tues, 15th Nov, Tues, 22nd Nov and Tues, 29th Nov at 6:30pm. Call or email the library for more details. Storytime and Craft – Join Amy in the library on Weds, 23rd Nov at 2:15pm for a reading of Barry, the Fish with Fingers and a special craft. Call or email the library for more details. Santa Letter Workshop – Come along to the library for a Christmas workshop to write your letter to Santa on Weds, 30th Nov from 2pm-4pm. You will also get a chance to post your letter in the special library post box for delivery to the North Pole! Booking advised. Mountmellick Library – Call 057 8644572 or email mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie Kids Cooking Workshop – join Deirdre Doyle from the Cool Food School for this special Halloween themed cookery workshop on Thurs, 3rd

The Seniors Alert Scheme provides funding for a free personal monitored alarm for people aged 65 and older and of limited means. The scheme is intended to support older people to live securely and independently in their homes. The Seniors Alert Scheme is administered by Pobal, a not-for-profit company that manages programmes on behalf of the Irish Government and the EU. You must contact a community or voluntary group in your area who are registered with Pobal to access the scheme (see ‘How to apply’ below). Who is eligible for the scheme? To be eligible for the Seniors Alert Scheme, you must be aged 65 or over and have limited means or resources. You must also be any of the following: Living alone Living alone for significant periods of time during the day Living with someone who meets the criteria Caring for someone else in your household You must live in the area covered by the registered group administering the funding and be able to benefit from the equipment being supplied. You also need to be willing to keep contact with the registered group. Costs All equipment and installation under the scheme is free. The alarm monitoring service is free for the first year. After the first year, you will be asked to pay the annual monitoring fee. The annual monitoring fee will vary by service provider and the type of alarm or pendant supplied. Your local group can tell you about the cost in advance. If there is no suitable landline available in your home and a mobile signal is used to connect to the equipment, you may have to pay a fee for mobile SIM rental. What type of equipment can I get? Funding is available to buy and install monitored personal alarms, which can be worn as a pendant or around your wrist like a watch. These alarms connect to a national helpline through a base unit installed in your home. When the alarm is activated, it automatically rings the helpline, which is open 24 hours a day all year round. A helpline operator talks to you in your home and decides whether to alert a local volunteer responder or, if necessary, the emergency services. Equipment supplied under the scheme remains the property of the registered group and must be returned to the group if no longer needed. How do I get the equipment? You must contact a community or voluntary group registered in your area. The registered community or voluntary group will: Assess your eligibility for the scheme and complete the application form with you Identify the equipment required and get quotations from suppliers Submit the application and supporting documentation to Pobal You will be asked to confirm that you understand the purpose and use of the equipment and that you will be responsible for the annual monitoring fee after the first year. How to Apply Registered community or voluntary groups apply to Pobal on the older persons behalf. Pobal does not accept applications from individuals. If you feel you may be eligible for the Seniors Alert Scheme, you should contact the group registered to operate the scheme in your area. Pobal publishes a list of registered organisations on its website. Seniors Alert Scheme (SAS) You can also contact Pobal at the address below for details of your local group. Groups wishing to register for the scheme can register online at pobal.ie. What groups can register as providers of the scheme? Community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations can apply to register with Pobal for the scheme. They must have a recognised structure and be able to show that they can manage the grants. They must also have a record of working with older people in the community. A group will not be able to register if there is an existing group operating the scheme in the area. Further information Detailed information on the Seniors Alert Scheme is available on Pobal’s website. For further information, you can contact the Seniors Alert Scheme section in Pobal at the address below, or by email at onlinesupport@pobal.ie. Pobal Holbrook House Holles Street Dublin 2 D02 EY84 Ireland Tel: (01) 511 7000 Fax: (01) 511 7981 Homepage: http://www.pobal.ie/ Email: enquiries@pobal.ie

From Laois Partnership The community trekking leader training workship is aimed at people who take a leadership role in a walking group. Participants will receive tips and kills to lead small groups on daylight treks of 2-3hours on coillte trails and Failte Ireland loops of easy to moderate levels of difficulty. Key Content: > Waymarked routes in Ireland > Coillte trails and Failte Ireland Loops > Planning and Preparing for a trek > Trekkin gear > Safety > Practical Treks The workshop will involve a mix of indoor theory sessions and outdoor practical elements. What Do I need to bring: Trekking shoes or hiking boots, warm hat and upper body clothing, waterproof jacket, small backpack containing: water, snacks, change of clothing Training Schedule: Training will be delivered on Saturday the 19th November from 9.00 AM – 4.00 PM. An assessment will need to be completed once training is complete (in your own time) to be fully qualified. Attendance: You must register prior to the training day. You will need to complete individual specific training afterward sin order to receive a certificate. Please ensure to let Laois Sports Partnership know if you are not going to be in attendance on the day. Certification: Your certificates will be circulated once training and assessments are complete. These will be sent via electronically but arrangements can be made if this does not suit. How can I contact the organiser with any questions? We will contact you to confirm your place on the programme. For general enquiries call 057 8671248 during office hours or email info@laoissports.ie. Privacy Policy: Laois Sports Partnership CLG (LSP) is the data controller of your personal data. Our policy sets out how we collect, process, and hold your personal data if you visit our event ticket shop or otherwise provide personal data to us. If you wish to withdraw your consent or if you wish for your data to be removed, please contact us as info@laoissports.ie or (057) 86 71248. View our Privacy Policy here: https://www.laoissports.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Laois-LSP-Privacy-Statement-26.7.18.pdf €20