New Communities
This programme is resourced through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) which is co-funded by the Irish Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development & the Gaeltacht, and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021 -2027 www.eufunds.ie.
Supporting refugees and International Protection Applicants (IPAs) to settle, connect and thrive remains a key priority in the Bray and North Wicklow area.
Refugees and International Protection Applicants (IPAs) newly arrived in the Bray and North Wicklow area continue to need support with translation, paperwork, and referrals to government and local services that aid integration. In response, our SICAP funded development workers have been designing and delivering programmes that address emerging needs while fostering a supportive, therapeutic, and inclusive environment where newcomers can connect and build community.
In the past few years, we have offered a wide range of courses to new arrivals, including yoga, English conversation classes, Singlish, HACCP certification, barista training, fitness sessions and art workshops.
In Autumn 2025, we established a multicultural community choir, led by local musician and BNWAP staff member, Karen Hammond. The choir attracted huge interest from young and old, and currently has 40 regular members who meet every Wednesday for rehearsals and socialising. In late 2025, they performed publicly twice to great acclaim.
For enquiries about joining the choir, email Karen at karenhammond@bnwap.ie or call (01) 286 8266
We also ran one-off themed events and family activities including a Summer Project, Halloween and Christmas camps, Speech Therapy sessions, Baby Fitness, a Toddler Group, cooking workshops and family excursions.
In previous years, we collaborated with the local group Bray for Love to promote a whole-community approach to supporting the integration of new communities in the area. With the help of an external facilitator, the group undertook strategic planning and hosted a June Street Fest for all communities, supported by funding from the International Protection Integration Fund.
Read more about the Bray for Love Streetfest