A mid 2000's survey showed there are over 1,500  children living in the Roscam & Doughiska area.  Many parents are immigrants from Poland, Nigeria, Russia Latafia, Lithuania, India as well as England, Wales and France - and there are many and Irish families too.  Most of these young parents are living without the support network of the extended family, which can be  very lonely for first time parents with a new baby.

In 2007 the plight of the young parents in our area came to the attention of the local parish priest Fr. Martin who decided to do something about it. He approached Marie Therese Shelly and Thelma  du Bois and the Roscam and Doughiska Mothers & Babies group was born  with absolutely no funding to support it. The tea and scones given to the mothers at this time was sponsored by the local Spar shop.

Every Monday morning the group met for a cup of tea and a chat and a little bit of reflexology under the guidance of the Galway Institute of Wellbeing & Reflexology.

In June 2009 this group was awarded €10,000 from the AIB Better Ireland Programme. This was a huge boost to the group and it made it possible to expand the services provided.

A committee was established  to oversee funding, set up policies and procedures and facilitate

• Parenting classes
• FETAC First Aid course for parents.
• A course on Good Nutrition from 0-5years.
• Large treatment mat for mothers and their babies
• Changing areas for babies
• Educational  toys for  toddlers and safe  toys for babies

In the Spring of 2010 Cheshire House offered a bright spacious room and the use of a kitchen,  free of charge to the group and in September 2010 the group migrated from  Good Shepherd parish into the community to become the Roscam & Doughiska Parent and Toddler group.  The weekly meetings changed from a Monday morning to  a  Thursday morning.
 
Thelma Du Bois left to be replaced by Nuala and Alan Keady, Bridget Oyelola  and Amanda Mc Loughlin with financial and computer assistance from Mary Curtin and organizational advice from Cathy Quinn.

The group was shortlisted for the Mayors award in 2010.

Today, the  group remains open to all people caring for young children up to 3 years of age (there is baby changing facilities and a separate room available for feeding mothers if required).  Everyone is welcomed with a cup of tea and a scone which is still provided free of charge by Tom Meehan in the local Spar Shop.