Winter 2006/2007

Rehab News_ViewsV6
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Page 1
News
and
Views
RehabCare Newsletter
Winter 2006/2007
What’s in this issue?
RehabCare UK
Pg 2
Home Based Services
Pg 3
East/South East
North East/Midlands
A Reflection on the
Year that was 2006!
“Person Centred”
“People First”
“Can Do”
“Partnership”
“Innovation”
If you would like further information on any RehabCare services in
your area, please contact us at:
RehabCare, Roslyn Park, Beach Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 205 7200 / 205 7206
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.rehabcare.ie
2006 was a very special year for
RehabCare. The organisation commenced
celebrating 10 years in service in style
with a variety of local and national events
during the year. A key milestone in the
year was September’s launch by President
McAleese of RehabCare’s new National
Volunteer Programme, which has seen
more than 70 individuals register their
interest to date.
It was a very proud moment in October,
when RehabCare became the first health
and social care organisation to win the
overall national award for quality and
excellence from the Excellence Ireland
Quality Association (EIQA). While this is
only a milestone on our journey to our
vision of everyone living life to the full,
valued for and as themselves, it was
certainly a time to recognise the diligent
efforts all staff in RehabCare make to
reaching our North Star.
RehabCare continued to develop and
expand its services in 2006. Key
developments in the West and Northwest
included the launch of a specific Autism
day care service in Sligo and the
development of two assertive outreach
services in Co. Galway, which were joint
winners of a Rehab Council Innovation
Award. A new Acquired Brain Injury
residential service prepared its move to
the former premises of Galway Resource
Centre, which moved to a newly
equipped centre in the city.
In the Northeast and Midlands, a new
residential service for adults with Autism
opened in Navan and a new outreach
service for children and adults with
Autism commenced in Tullamore. A
Workability Programme was also
developed to secure paid jobs for service
users, leading to the placement of 12
people in paid employment. 2006 also
saw the commissioning of a new
residential respite service for children in
Navan catering for all disability groups
and work was commenced on the
relocation of Tullamore Sheltered
Workshop to a new town centre location.
In 2006 RehabCare Midwest and South
developed a range of new services,
including a high support residential
service for people with a mild intellectual
disability in Clare, and a number of new
services based in Thurles including a
residential service for young adults with
West/North West
Pgs 4-7
Pgs 8-14
Pgs 15-18
South/Midwest
Pg 19
Creative Corner
Pgs 20-21
NRAC
Pg 22
Information Bulletin
Pg 23
Editor’s Note
I hope you enjoy this issue of
News and Views, which
provides some great reading
as we look back on all that
was achieved in 2006.
I, for one am looking forward
to what we can do in 2007!
Best wishes,
Deirdre Carroll
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A Reflection on the
Year that was 2006! (continued)
Autism, a respite centre for people
with an intellectual disability, and a
day resource centre. Children’s
residential services in Co. Limerick were
increased and planning got underway
for a major new development in
Sexton Street in Limerick city.
In the southeast, two new services, a
residential service for children with
autism and a residential/respite service
are in the final stages of development,
anticipated to open early in 2007.
The existing centre in Wexford
underwent a refurbishment. A major
development on 3.5 acres at Knocklofty
in Co. Tipperary got underway in 2006.
Set to be completed in early 2007, this
will include three accommodation
units, a day activity centre and a craft
centre with farming activities. In the
east of the country, RehabCare services
in Bray were consolidated into one
new building housing a Sheltered
Workshop, and Phoenix and Lean ar
Aghaidh day services.
RehabCare services in the UK continued
to develop in 2006. The preparation for
new domiciliary care programmes in
RehabCare UK
Chaseley’s In-House Awards
Every year Chaseley’s staff and residents
nominate the individual and department
they think have excelled in service and
for 2006 the individual winner was
Head of Housekeeping Lynda Smith and
the top department was Therapies.
Lynda is pictured receiving her award
from Mitch Kerry, Chairman of the
Friends of Chaseley, who sponsor these
two awards, with Chaseley’s Chief
Executive Sue Wyatt. Chaseley also
sponsors a Volunteer of the Year award,
and for 2006 husband and wife team
Jack and Phyllis Beach received the
honour from Trustee Jeremy Howes.
Finally Jeremy also presented a long
service award to night nursing auxiliary
Nicki Seager.
both Newcastle and London got
underway, with the services
undergoing a number of successful
reviews as part of the registration
process with the Commission for Social
Care Inspection, and the UK services’
central offices moved from Birmingham
to newly refurbished offices in Chaseley
Trust in Eastbourne.
RehabCare’s national support services
developed strongly throughout 2006.
Following research undertaken during
the year, RehabCare’s Service User
Advocacy Council, NRAC launched
Guidelines on Bullying for Service Users.
Work began on RehabCare’s research
into rare disorders on the island of
Ireland, and a number of new suicide
prevention initiatives got underway. In
May the Human Resources Department
achieved the Excellence Through People
Award, Ireland’s National Standard for
Human Resource Development, with an
assessment score of 92% achieved
during a time when the department
was supporting enormous growth in the
organisation. The Finance department
developed a range of new financial
policies and procedures that will be
CareLink/Home Based Services
circulated in 2007. RehabCare’s home
based services, CareLink continued to
expand significantly in the east and
they also launched a groundbreaking
new system called ‘Newcare’ for
managing its services (see more about
this on page 3).
As an organisation one the most
significant events of the year has to be
the promotion of our Chief Executive
Angela Kerins to Chief Executive of the
Rehab Group. Angela has led the ‘cando’ rollercoaster ride of RehabCare from
its inception in 1995, tirelessly working
to expand the range of services for
people with disabilities, infusing
innovation into the sector and creating
an organisation that we are all proud
to work for. In taking up her new role
we can be glad that through the Rehab
Group we will still be under her
energetic direction. We also wish Frank
Flannery the very best in his retirement
and thank him for all the direction and
support he has given RehabCare over
the years.
Introducing the CareLink team
Back Row: Aileen
Foley Service Support
Manager, Bridget
Turner Slán Abhaile
Team Leader, Heather
Tuimauga CareLink
Administration
Front Row: Toyin
Okpaje Home First
Manager, Siobhan
Ahearne Home Based
Services Manager,
Francisca Olorunfemi,
Home Help Team
Leader
Margaret Gillard,
Director of Operations RehabCare
CareLink Launches Revolutionary New Service
RehabCare’s home support services are provided under the
brand name CareLink and are personalised to meet the exact
needs of each person in their own home. Earlier in the year
RehabCare and CareLink launched a revolutionary new
service called “Newcare” based on groundbreaking
technology, the first system of its kind in Ireland. The
“Newcare” system monitors the care the client receives each
day and is being rolled out to 800 people currently receiving
RehabCare’s home care services.
Advantages of Newcare
•
Peace of mind for clients and their families - there is a
system in place to ensure a home support worker will
arrive, even if there is an unavoidable problem with the
person scheduled to visit.
•
Security for Home Support Workers - there is an inbuilt
safety feature that reports they have both arrived and
left work safely. This is important when people are
travelling to and from a number of sites.
•
Transparency for funders - there is a clear record of hours
worked and the beneficiaries
How does Newcare work?
A Home Support Worker arrives at a client’s house for a
scheduled visit, dials a freephone number from the client’s
phone, and logs into the system using their unique PIN
number. The system registers the actual arrival time and
identifies that the client’s visit has started. On departure
from the client’s home the Home Support Worker dials the
number again and logs out of the system. This records their
time of leaving and identifies that the visit is finished and
automatically updates payroll.
The system is set with alarms to alert the service manager
in certain circumstances, e.g. if a Home Support Worker is
2
late for a client visit, and therefore doesn’t log in from the
registered phone line, the system identifies that the Home
Support Worker has not arrived at the client’s home. This
enables appropriate action to be taken.
The revolutionary system is set to greatly enhance the
services provided to those who need home care services.
In the words of Siobhan Ahearne, Home Based Services
Manager, “Newcare represents a whole new dimension
to delivering quality assured care for our clients.”
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East/South East
East/South East
Gay Byrne Thanks RehabCare
Wexford For Road-Safety Initiative
Mr. Gay Byrne, renowned TV compere and current chairperson of the Road
Safety Authority, took time out from his busy schedule to send a word of
thanks to all the service users at the Wexford centre who designed and
created a series of T shirts depicting road-safety slogans. An excerpt from
the letter sent by Mr. Byrne reads as follows:
“I am delighted with the Road Safety Initiatives being undertaken by
RehabCare and the Service Users in Wexford and I commend you for
your initiative.”
So thanks Gay from all at RehabCare Wexford, and good luck in promoting
safe road practices.
By Lucy Costigan, Programmes Facilitator RehabCare Wexford.
Peter Kehoe with a t-shirt that service users
in the Wexford centre designed and created.
My First Year in College
Christmas
I like Christmas because I go to one of my sister’s houses for
Christmas dinner. A couple of my other sisters would come also
and one of them drives me. We would get a warm welcome
when we arrive at my sister’s house for dinner. Myself and my
sisters are offered some kind of a drink before the dinner while
we sit and have a chat. Some of my nephews and nieces would
also be there. Later, my sister would dish up the dinner. We
would have a starter, then main course, then dessert and then,
after all that, we would have a cup of tea or coffee with
Christmas cake. Later, we sit around and have a chat.
On Christmas night when the whole family is in my sister’s
house, we would play games and I would dress up as Santa
Claus. I would throw out sweets and hand out toys or books to
my nephews and nieces. They all love me dressing up as Santa.
We also have Kris Kindle. Some of my other sisters bring
Christmas gifts and later on we would open them.
At home I would put up a tree, crib and some decorations. On
Christmas Eve, Santa Claus comes to all the children and some
adults. Santa comes to my nephews, nieces, sisters, brother-inlaws and he never forgets me. He leaves the gifts for one of my
sisters in my home. He also leaves gifts for me at home. Even
after Christmas Day I would go visiting my sisters. I also visit my
parents’ grave on Christmas Day. Christmas can be a happy time
but it can also be a sad time for others.
By Kevin Byrne, RehabCare Ballyfermot
I heard about a course called Exploring Our Potential running in Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education. First of all, I
had to do an interview to get accepted onto the course. I did the interview in RehabCare in Dun Laoghaire with the VEC
Adult Guidance Service. A week later I got a letter to say that I had been accepted onto the course. I was so pleased
about getting into college.
My first year in college was like this. I went on a tour of the college on the Thursday and we started the next day. I was a
bit shocked and got a bit upset at how quickly everything moved. I felt I wasn’t prepared for the change. I had never
been to college before.
However in a matter of days I was enjoying it and learning a lot. Classes were on a Thursday and Friday afternoons from
half one to half three. The subjects included Communications, Computers, History, Creative Writing and Drama. Abbie,
Mary and Seamus were some of my tutors. They were all very nice to talk to. Sarah Mulcahy is the disability project
worker and I go and talk to her if I have a problem. During the year I felt I was treated badly by two of the people in the
class, this upset me a lot. I talked to both the Adult Guidance staff in the college and staff in RehabCare Dun Laoghaire. I
worked it out with one of the people involved but decided not to be friends with the other person.
I have sent in my computer course work for a FETAC certificate. I also got a certificate for completing the year on Monday
19th June 2006 at Blackrock Education Centre in Deansgrange. I am very happy with my certificate. I am going back to
college in the autumn. I have been told that I may go into 3rd year next year and skip second year. This is my year in
college. I hope you liked reading what I did in college.
By Sally Lovegrove, RehabCare Dun Laoghaire
4
Christmas
We start thinking about Christmas as
soon as November approaches.
Christmas is a time of laughter and good
cheer. Children get gifts from Santa
Claus and we buy presents for our
friends and they buy presents for us.
Christmas cards are sent between
families and friends and this is the time
when people ring those relatives and
friends who cannot get home for the
holidays.
Shops are well decorated and they
display the gifts we can buy for one
another. Horse races are run on St.
Stephen’s Day and the racing goes on for
three or four days. Most people love to
see frost and snow at this time of year.
Christmas trees are bought and
decorated. Lights are put on the trees
and sometimes they flash. Houses are
festooned with lights and many people
decorate the outside of the houses as
well as the inside.
We usually cook a turkey for Christmas
dinner. A plum pudding is boiled and a
Christmas cake is also baked. Christmas
crackers often appear on the dinner
table. Most people enjoy a few drinks
around Christmas time.
We think about the Baby Jesus and the
Crib at Christmas. The three Wise Men
are also in our thoughts at this time. We
associate Shepherds with Christmas as
they watched over their flocks by night.
Carol singing is something I look forward
to each Christmas, but we should also
be thinking about the people who are
less well off than we are.
By Gerry, RehabCare Kildare
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East/South East
East/South East
Failte Ireland Course
I was picked with 11 others from the
centre in Waterford to do a Failte Ireland
hospitality course for 10 weeks. It is a
Food and Beverage course. The trainer is
a man called John Bohan. Molly Crew
the Programmes Facilitator comes with
the group.
We do it every Monday and Tuesday. We
all wear a uniform, safety shoes and a
name badge. On Mondays we train in
RehabCare and on Tuesdays we train in
the Failte Ireland training centre.
We have learned how to set tables and
clear tables and how to carry
glasses on trays.
We are also learning how to fold
napkins, take orders and write
documents. By the end of the course we
are going to learn how to give out
menus and wine lists and also learn all
about different teas and coffees. We get
our dinner and dessert the days we train
in the Failte Ireland centre. I’m enjoying
it very much.
A New Move in Bray
By Maria Allen, RehabCare Waterford
Working in Radio
My name is Tommy Brown. I am one of the service users in RehabCare
Bray. We used to have a much older building but in the last year we moved
to new premises in the Southern Cross Business Park. The new building is
much nicer than the older one. This new building is bigger, brighter and
cosy and feels like home to everyone.
I have been with RehabCare for 3 years. My first two years were in the old
building at the bottom of Boghall Road. That was with Jim in the Sheltered
Workshop. I am not in the Sheltered Workshop anymore as all the time I
was in the old building in the workshop, I was waiting for the Phoenix
service to start. When the new building opened I started in the Phoenix
Service. There are three services in this new building – the Phoenix,
Sheltered Workshop and Lean ar Aghaidh Service.
We wish Jim Hayden a happy retirement – he is retiring at Christmas.
By Tommy Brown, The Phoenix Service RehabCare Bray
6
I found the job I love doing, on radio. It
is for a local station called West Dublin
Access Radio 96fm in the Ballyfermot
Community Centre on the Ballyfermot
Road. We are on air from 12:45 to
20:15, Monday to Friday and Saturday
10 am to 3:15 with local news and
good music. I found the job through
RehabCare Ballyfermot and I am a year
and a half working there now. I do a
show on the station called Heffo Mixes
on Thursday at 3:30 to 4 pm. It’s a
music show with music from the 50’s
to today.
Our visit to
Waterford Crystal
We had a great morning at Waterford Crystal. It was really interesting to watch the
workers. Paula enjoyed watching the glass being designed and crafted. We were
very privileged to see a fantastic video all about glass and we saw wonderful glass
in many different colours. After the film we took a short journey with Ken to the
main factory. Teresa Kelly was over the moon when she got a chance of a lifetime
to cut glass and Mary Power was just as happy when she got to hold it and
presented it to the rest of the group. Overall we really enjoyed our lovely morning
at Waterford Crystal. The people who attended the tour of Waterford Crystal were
Aisling Power, Jacqui Ryan, Teresa Kelly, Mary Power, Jean Corcoran, Joseph O’Shea,
Paula O’Meara, Joan Doyle and Tony Kelly.
Teresa Kelly Rehabcare Waterford
cutting Crystal in Waterford Crystal.
By Mary Power, RehabCare Waterford
NRAC in
RehabCare
Bray
I am a member of NRAC. NRAC meet
here on Fridays. Four from our centre
put themselves forward for the
National Committee at the NRAC
AGM in Maynooth. We had our
fingers crossed for them all.
Bray Lakers
I am a member of Bray Lakers Club.
This is a social and recreational club.
We do lots of stuff like basketball,
bowling, drama, soccer, salsa, plus arts
and crafts.
club
is a big part of my life. Our coaches
are great craic.
Thank you Bernard, Claire, Eddie and
Jenny. UP BRAY LAKERS!!
We have discos once a month and
have a walking club as well as golf,
and drumming. They train us well. This
By Nigel Phillips, The Phoenix Service
RehabCare Bray
RehabCare Waterford – Happy Heart Walk October 2006
One day in July I was chosen to go to
HOPS in Dublin city centre to
represent the Bray NRAC at the
Regional meeting being held there. I
was proud of myself that day. I am
happy that I went.
By Belinda Flynn, The Phoenix
Service RehabCare Bray.
By Paul Heffernan, RehabCare
Ballyfermot
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North East/Midlands
North East/Midlands
In Memory of
Josephine Kane
Josephine Kane, from Kiltale, Co. Meath, was employed as a
Facilitator in RehabCare Dunboyne, a centre for people with
physical and sensory disabilities. She died peacefully after a
very short illness on 12th November 2006.
There have never been more apt words written to sum up Jo’s life than
the words of the opening hymn at her funeral, “Here I am Lord, It is I,
Lord. I will hold your people in my heart.” Certainly, that is exactly what
Jo did when she came to work in our centre, more than two years ago.
She held each one of us, service user and staff alike, close to her heart.
Jo gave freely of her many gifts and talents for the benefit of all. But
more than that, she gave the most precious gift; that of herself, her
time, her love and her compassion. Jo had deep faith. She once said,
“I prayed for you this morning. My prayers are heard.” Her passing has
had a profound effect on each one of us.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Jo’s husband, Brendan, her
daughter, Donna, her son, Thomas, her parents, brothers, sister and her
extended family.
May Jo, our dear friend and colleague, rest in the peace of God.
Josephine Kane
About eighteen months ago I met a wonderful person. Her name was Jo
Kane. Jo was the first person I met when I started to attend the resource
centre in Dunboyne.
I got to know Jo well over the following months. She was a bright,
intelligent, talented woman who inspired everyone she met. Jo loved her
job and she encouraged everyone to do their best and achieve their goals.
Jo greeted everyone she met with a warm smile. She loved life, her family
and her work was her life. Jo had a great sense of humour and was full of
fun, always smiling, never in bad form, always positive.
It was a privilege to have met such a wonderful person. I know that I am a
better person for having met Jo. She is shining bright in Heaven, looking
down on us now. There is a corner of my heart broken, never to
be fixed again.
Goodbye Jo.
Bernie Dowd, RehabCare Dunboyne
8
JO
A salute to you Jo
and for all you have done.
From your friends in RehabCare
we all love you as one.
You were there for us
and you always answered our call.
We thank you a thousand times
from one and all.
Leo O’Toole,
RehabCare
Dunboyne
Atlas Graduation
Ceremony
On Tuesday, 17th October 2006, nine
individuals were presented with awards
for their participation in the Atlas
programme. The ceremony was
attended by the graduates, their friends
and family, staff from RehabCare,
representatives from FETAC, HSE, APT,
FÁS, and the VEC. The event was held in
Athlone Institute of Technology.
Atlas is a RehabCare training
programme that aims to equip
participants with skills and knowledge
that will enhance their quality of life
and increase their independence in daily
living activities. The programme is
delivered in partnership by two
RehabCare centres in Athlone and
Tullamore and participants come from
both of these areas.
All participants’ who access this course
are facilitated in developing their own
Person Centred Plan through an
Induction Phase. During this period staff
spend time with the participants and
share experiences with them, getting to
know each other through an
informal process and sharing their
hopes and wishes for the future.
This is a centre-based course and also
combines community based activities.
Many of the modules provided are
FETAC accredited.
Some of the modules provided on the
Atlas course include:
• Personal Care Skills
(Personal Care and Presentation,
Personal Safety)
• Independent Living Skills
(Home Management, Personal
Finances, Basic Food and Cookery Skills)
• Community Integration
(Independent Travel, Community
Profile)
• Interpersonal Skills
(Self- Advocacy, Awareness of Self,
Relationship Building)
• Leisure
(Health Related Fitness, Social
Activities)
• Personal Development
(Drama, Art & Design, Horticulture,
Manual Handling, First Aid)
• Preparation for Work
(Job Seeking, Career Information,
Work Entitlements)
External specialised tutors generally
from the VEC are called upon for their
expertise with some of the Training
Modules i.e. Horticulture, Drama, Art
& Design, or Photography.
Some of the comment’s from
Participant’s in Rehabilitative Training:
“I enjoyed Atlas because it is good fun
and I learned about money”
“I enjoy Atlas because the modules
help me get over my fears”
By The Atlas Group Tullamore
Music Composing Project in Dundalk Wins Award
Our centre worked with a composer called Elaine Agnew who came to our centre one day a week to do workshops
with us. We would play different instruments and make different sounds using cymbals, triangles etc.
Elaine would show us postcards from both sides of the border and we would have a discussion and would make
music representing the postcards.
When the project was finished we performed our music and songs in the Carroll Building with a Choir from
St. Vincents School and children from north of the border and the Ulster Orchestra. We all dressed in black.
There were a lot of rehearsals involved. The show was brilliant and a C.D. was released. We entered this project
for an innovation award and it was highly commended. Steven, Sandra, Joan and myself picked up our award at
a ceremony in Dublin and we also had to make a speech. We are very proud of this award.
Christopher McKevitt & Steven Mannison, RehabCare Dundalk
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North East/Midlands
North East/Midlands
Our Trip to
Killarney
Ballard’s Latest Addition
service users picked Millie who is a
crossbred Cocker Spaniel and Labrador
mix. She is now a valuable addition to
the great family atmosphere in Ballard
House. She creates more fun, laughter
and companionship for both staff and
most importantly service users alike.
She also on occasion creates frustration
as puppies do.
On Tuesday the 3rd October, 16 service
users and three members of staff
(Maire, Joe and Claire) went on a trip
to Killarney. We returned to Tullamore
on Thursday 5th of October 2006. Joe
Lawless arranged for the Sam Maguire
cup to be brought to the hotel that we
were staying in. When the cup arrived
there was great excitement and we all
got our picture taken with it.
Later that day we had a beautiful
evening meal. The food was gorgeous
and the staff were friendly and helpful.
After dinner we went into town for a
quiet drink. We went to bed after this,
as we were all tired after our busy day.
The next day we got up early and had
a lovely breakfast. Later we went to
Ross Castle. There were beautiful
grounds around the castle. From there
we got a boat ride with a tour guide
around the lakes. The scenery was
gorgeous and we took lots of pictures.
After this we went to Muckross House,
where we had a lovely lunch. When we
returned to the hotel some people
decided to go shopping. We then
rested for a while before going for our
A Day To
Remember At
Dublin Castle
On Thursday 14th September 2006,
Gerry O’Callaghan, Niall O’Connor and
myself, accompanied by Michelle &
Attracta took a trip to Dublin to meet
Mary McAleese, the President of Ireland
to promote the Celebrities Back
RehabCare Volunteer Programme. While
we were there, we met Steve Staunton
the Irish Soccer Manager, hurling great
DJ Carey, star Gaelic footballer Steven
McDonnell and top TV presenter
Caroline Morahan.
10
evening meal in the hotel. It was one
of the staff’s, Marie’s, birthday so we
arranged for the staff in the hotel to
surprise her with a cake after dinner.
Later that night we went to see some
live Irish music in the Danny Mann pub.
The band was called the Pot Belly Folk
Band. They were very lively and we
spent the night dancing. This was one
of the best parts of the holiday.
Thursday morning we got up early
again and had our breakfast. We then
checked out of the hotel, but not
before we thanked the staff for the
friendly service they provided. We
went to a nearby shopping centre for
Gerry had a chat with DJ Carey and
mentioned how he would like to see a
“Gaelic World Cup”, then he sang the
“Boys From County Armagh” to Steven
McDonnell.
I was talking to Steve Staunton and he
said that he had stopped playing
football because he was getting on in
years. Funnily enough, DJ Carey told
Niall that he had also quit because he
was now too old and needed to
concentrate on his cleaning business,
which makes materials like bleach and
employs thirty people. DJ Carey also
told me that throughout his career he
had never been booked or sent off!
By John Megan, Dundalk SW
some last minute shopping.
It was great to see the beautiful
scenery and spend time with our
friends. We had a wonderful holiday!!!
By Christine Delaney, Anne Lynam and
Ursula O’Brien, RehabCare Tullamore
Ballard House has welcomed its newest
arrival “Millie” with open arms. On the
13th September, Millie arrived to her
new home in Ballard House,
Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
Millie became the “chosen one” after
lengthy discussions at both service
A Trip to Michael Collins
Barracks
On Friday October 20th a group from
the Dundalk Sheltered Workshop went
to Dublin to visit Collins Barracks. When
we arrived at Connolly Station we had
some refreshments and jumped on the
Luas to the museum. We saw a lot of
memorabilia of the 1916 rising, we
also saw the uniforms they wore and
the weapons they used. We read some
books about the leaders of the rising
and the proclamation. Then we
watched a clip about the Irish forces in
the United Nations and the duties they
perform. We travelled back to the
station had some lunch and got the
“express” Belfast train home. Phew
what a day out we had!
By Niall Coleman, Dundalk Sheltered
Workshop.
The Child
that I
Sponsor
I started sponsoring a little boy about 6
months ago. He’s 5 years old. His
birthday is the 31st December when he
will be six. So he’s not in school yet. He
likes playing football. Before I started
sponsoring him, he was in very bad
health. Now as I’m sponsoring him he’s
in very good health. He is too young to
do any chores. He comes from
Mauritania in West Africa. His name is
Sid Ahmed Ould Aly. Sid Ahmed lives
with his parents in a rural area. His
father is a subsistence farmer, in good
years, barely raising enough food for
users’ house meetings and staff team
meetings. After weighing up all the
advantages and disadvantages of
goldfish, rabbits, cats and dogs, the
decision was made that a housedog
was the most suitable girl for the job.
Millie was accessed through Mullingar
Animal rescue shelter. Both staff and
his own family. His mother stays at
home caring for her family and helping
her husband. I saw an advert on the
television and there was a telephone
number so I rang it. Then they sent me
out an information pack about him and
on his background. As well as that they
sent me out a photo of him. I only
have to pay €25 a month. I write
about what I used to do in my
childhood and his favourite game. It
might take 4 or 5 months for him to
get the letter. When I am writing the
letter I have to write the child’s name
and his reference number. I do the
same on the back of the envelope just
in case the letter goes to the wrong
child. I like sponsoring Sid Ahmed
because I feel I am doing something
worthwhile. And I am hoping some day
to be working with children.
By Kitty Tumelty, RehabCare Athlone
As Millie is becoming a house dog, it
brings with it both roles and
responsibilities that service users are
sharing with staff. There are the duties
of feeding four times a day, which will
eventually become twice a day as she
gets older, walking, playing with her
and, of course, on occasion, the messy
job of cleaning up after little accidents.
She has also starred in some
photography and art projects for service
users, being very professional in all her
poses. All of these activities allow more
time for staff and service users to
interact and bond, also giving a loving
dog a new lease on life which she may
not have been given.
Batman and
Robin
Staff suggested that perhaps we
would like to get a goldfish for
the Centre. Bronagh, Sandra and I,
with staff, went to the pet shop
and bought 2 gold fish. We also
had to buy a bowl, food and stuff
to clean the water. The man in the
pet shop told us how important it
was not to overfeed the fish.
We didn’t know what to call our
fish so everyone put names into a
bowl. We eventually decided on
Batman and Robin. We are
actually thinking of expanding our
fish collection. Watch this space.
Dolores McKeever, RehabCare
Dundalk
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North East/Midlands
North East/Midlands
Following my Dream
Our Trip to
Manchester
It was my dream for many years to work with the elderly.
I have always felt that there was something special about
them and I enjoy caring for other people. I have a great deal
of respect for the elderly and find them to be very kind.
To make this dream come true, my key worker and I arranged
a meeting with a nurse in a local nursing home. The nurse
was very nice and agreed to allow me to work in the nursing
home for a few hours each week.
I started my work experience in the nursing home on the
15th May 2006. My job consists of assisting the residents
during mealtimes e.g. helping to feed and serve their meals.
I also spend a lot of time talking to the residents as they
really seem to enjoy just having a chat with me.
I enjoy this experience very much as I get a great deal of
satisfaction from spending time with the elderly. I feel very
happy that my dream has come true!
By Christine Delaney, RehabCare Tullamore
Glamour Girls
Every Tuesday morning we have our
glamour girl programme. In it we do
facials, hand waxing, makeup, nail
art, discussions on personal safety,
hygiene, shopping and lots more.
Our Christmas party falls on a
Tuesday so we decided that we
would start a savings club and save
one euro a week so we could go out
on the morning of our Christmas
party and get our hair done, have a
facial or our nails done. As we were
saving for this regularly we wouldn’t
notice the cost. We are also going to
have our breakfast out. A real
“girlie” morning.
Neverending Story
I’m in my 28th year now like this, since I
crashed and got a spinal injury, breaking
my neck in two places. There’s not much of
a difference in the footpaths in Ashbourne
between 1979 and now. The difference is
that back then, I could go on the road with
my chair but now, there’s too much traffic
and I have to use the footpaths. If I did go
on the road and get hit, I’d be in the
wrong.
The shopping centres are all accessible but I
can’t get to them in the first place because
of the footpaths and I’d be pretty mobile in
this thing otherwise. I don’t know how
many times I’ve been caught out by the
traffic lights. The green man would go and
I’d be caught in the middle of the road
because I wouldn’t have enough time to
get across. It’s not just me. There’s old
people and women with prams.
There’s a pothole just as you’re going into
the car park at Ashbourne House and my
chair could fit into it. You could nearly fish
for salmon in it, it’s that deep. The council
threw a few buckets of tarmac into it and a
week later it was back again – a botch job,
that’s what it was. They put ramps from
the road up to the footpaths but they’re
way too steep. The chair would only wheel
backwards. They do some things but they
don’t do them right.
On September the 18th 2006, a large
group from RehabCare Cavan and the
National Learning Network went by
ferry to Holyhead. We went on a fiveday trip to Manchester. The boat was
lovely but the crossing was a bit
rough because of the weather. When
we got to Holyhead we were met by
a large coach which took us to our
hotel. We had breakfast and dinner
each day in the hotel. The hotel and
its staff were lovely. At ten o’clock
each day we went on a day trip. We
went on a lovely tour around
Manchester with a tour guide. We
saw lovely sights. We visited the Old
Trafford Football Stadium, Alton
Towers Theme Park and the Irish
World Heritage Centre. We also
visited Manchester Science Museum
where everyone got a great view of
Coronation Street. I enjoyed
everything about the trip and it was
lovely coming back. I was delighted I
was picked to go and I would like to
return again.
By Carmel Lynch, RehabCare Cavan
Hospice Coffee Morning
Navan Respite
Breaks 2006
Following the success of our respite
breaks last year we decided to
organise them again this year. Forty
service users in total decided to avail
of the offer. €4,000 funding was
received through the National Lottery,
which enabled us to book a break in a
very nice hotel!
We went to The Hudson Bay Hotel on a
two-night break with one evening
meal. The hotel included a fabulous
swimming pool, a spa and had the
most amazing views across Lough Ree.
while we were there. Athlone is a
great shopping town, which we used
to its full potential spending all our
savings! We also visited Shannonbridge
Pottery and Clonmacnoise, which was
very interesting and we watched a
video about the history of it. We spent
the afternoons relaxing in the
swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi.
In the evenings we ate well, one night
in Athlone town and the other in the
hotel. The meal in the hotel was
fantastic. We seemed to eat all night,
having five courses.
When I got to the hall there were balloons and streamers all over the hall. I had a huge birthday cake and lots of food. The
music was great and everyone was up dancing. I got lots of kisses, flowers, presents and champagne. I had a brilliant night.
We were reading through our local paper
one day and saw that the National Hospice
coffee morning was taking place on the
21st September.
We registered online and got more
information. We brought it up at our group
meeting and everyone thought that it was
a great idea. We asked service users to
bring in cakes and biscuits and we went to
our local shopping centre and asked for a
donation. We also got Bewleys Coffee from
the local hospice shop. With the help of
staff we set up our canteen and put up
notices that it was taking place between
11am and 12pm on that Thursday. It was a
great success, friends and family came,
staff and service users from Coes road also
came.
We raised €351.99 for the Hospice
foundation.
Our class consists of 5 people. Our teacher is called Valerie. We have Valerie
every Thursday from 2 - 4 o’clock. Valerie is easy to listen to and learn from.
Valerie taught us to be hygienic and she also taught us to make lots of dishes.
The types of dishes we made were buns and soups, apple tarts and also main
courses. We enjoyed our cooking and we would always give the staff a sample
of what we cooked. At the end of the eight weeks we also made a staff meal
and that was the highlight of all our hard work. We learned a lot from Valerie
and we can’t wait until our turn comes round again.
Linda McEntaggart, RehabCare Dundalk.
Anita Guest, RehabCare Dundalk
By the Cookery Class, RehabCare Monaghan
By Karen Long, RehabCare Dundalk
My 40th Birthday
Charlie Leonard, a friend of mine who has
a wheelchair, went to the County Council
office in Navan to complain about the
paths and he got stuck in the doorway.It
took four men to prise him out. I thought
he was winding me up.
“No, no, that’s the truth. I’m not messing
with you at all, Paddy”.
By Paddy McDonnell, RehabCare Dunboyne
My 40th was in August. My family organised a party for me. A week before my party my brother and his wife brought me to
Portugal. I had a lovely colour for my party. I invited all my friends and neighbours, cousins, nieces and nephews. A limousine
picked me up at the house. My sisters Ann and Jean came with me.
12
All had a great time and look forward
to next year.
By RehabCare Navan
There was plenty to keep us busy
Cooking in Monaghan
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South
North East/Midlands
East/East
All Ireland
Unlimited Road
Bowling
Competition
From the 12th – 14th September the All
Ireland Unlimited Road Bowling
Championship took place in Madden Co.
Armagh. This competition
My name is Bernie
Corrigan
I am from the great town of Monaghan. I
have been attending RehabCare for the
past thirty years.
When I started first, I worked in the
bakery. It was very busy. In the bakery I
made tarts, pastries and apple slabs. I
liked doing this work as it kept me busy.
In RehabCare today, I am taking part in
work experience, which is in Patton’s.
Patton’s is in Monaghan shopping centre.
I work with flowers. I take the flowers in
from the cool room and then I take so
many leaves and cut a bit of the stem to
let the water absorb into the flower. I
work 2 hours a week. I go to Patton’s
every Tuesday from 9:30am to 12.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Gerard McLoughlin,
RehabCare Athlone, who recently
passed the Driver Theory Test.
Well done Gerard!.
accommodated grades from Novice B to
Seniors including a special class for
wheelchair users. There were two types
of competition: road and targets. There
were 4 centres from Cork, 1 from Cavan,
2 from Armagh and 5 from Monaghan of
which RehabCare was one. The
RehabCare centre did very well with
Martin McElroy, Emer Tully and Amanda
Parker all reaching the finals on the road
bowls. Alan Malone was runner up at
the targets, Amanda won All Ireland
targets and Ann McCarron was skittles
champion. This was a great achievement
for our centre as we have only been
playing bowls since early spring.
Everyone is looking forward to visiting
Cork next September for the All Ireland
Road Bowls.
We had a wonderful presentation night
followed by a disco on the last night.
Everyone received a medal and winners
and runners up all received cups and
trophies.
RehabCare Monaghan
The rest of the workers are very nice and
jolly. There is always good craic going on
when I come in. My break is at 11 o’clock
and I go up to the staff canteen for my
lunch. In the canteen there is only a
We grow different vegetables like
room with tables. I usually go to Mallons
leeks, parsnip, onion sets, tomatoes,
for my tea break and get a scone, which
cucumber, sweetcorn, courgettes,
I enjoy.
cabbage and broccoli. We also grow
lettuce and we planted a fruit tree. We
I am very happy with my job, as I like it
grow indoor and outdoor strawberries
very much. I keep the floor clean and
and next year we are growing potatoes
make sure that everything is in place.
in a barrel.
I like my boss as she is easy to get on
with and her name is Ann.
At Christmas we make Christmas
wreaths for the service users, the
I hope to learn a lot more about how to
staff and the people in Mounthamilton
do flower arranging. I go to a flower
House. We also go out to the recycling
arranging class in Patton’s on Saturdays
centre. Sometimes we go out to the
from 11-1pm. I would also like to gain
bowling or have a game of pool.
other work experience in other places.
In nice weather people from the
centre sometimes have a barbeque.
By Bernie Corrigan, RehabCare
Monaghan.
This year we have our own wormery
and we put in old teabags, banana
skins etc. We planted up a bed around
the time when the world cup started
and it was for RC 10. We put in Cinarara
and Begonia to spell the word Failte,
I was on holidays in Italy with my
which means welcome. We entered our
family. We went to Rome, Naples
gardens in the Improve our Town
and Salerno. It was sunny but not
competition but we didn’t win.
too warm and there were lots of
We have to work hard next year to try
big mountains and sea. We stayed
to win a prize.
in a lovely hotel and eat a lot of
pasta. Italy is a lovely country.
Domhnall Flynn, RehabCare Dundalk
Horticulture
Beautiful Italy
Kyra Kinirons, RehabCare Athlone
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West/North West
The Night Before
Christmas
It fell gently to the ground
Excited little children knew that by now
Santa was worldwide bound.
After they had been fed, those little
children hurried up to bed.
Knowing that that they must not meet
this man in red.
Outside the snow lay deep, as those little
children tried to sleep.
But all they could do was merely lift their
tired heads and peep. And sit and watch
the snow drift into a heap.
Suddenly they heard a loud noise and a
voice saying Ho, Ho, this is Santa I have
come to all you good girls and boys
with your toys.
Jumping back into bed, and once again
covering their heads
They lay still as Santa put their presents
gently on the windowsill.
It now began to froze as those tired
little eyes began to doze and doze.
At last morning broke leaving a scene
of whiteness and brightness.
But most importantly of all, having left
those dear little hearts full of
delightfulness.
with their precious gifts.
That their best friend had left the night
before on that windowsill.
By Bernie McDermott, RehabCare
Ballinamore
As the air stayed still, those little
children got up and ran eagerly to play
A Trip Back to Dublin
When I thought about my IAP for this year it didn’t take me
too long to decide where I wanted to go. There was one
place I wanted to go, and two things I wanted to do there.
Some of my schooling was spent in Our Lady`s School in
Chapelizod and I also wanted to travel on the Luas.
During the holidays I travelled to Dublin along with my
support worker, Nora. We got the train from Dublin in
Dromod on a bright Wednesday morning. When we arrived at
Connolly station we took a taxi to my old school. I was
excited because I couldn’t wait to see what the school looked
like now and I wondered would there be any staff there that
I would have known.
We got a short trip around part of the school, it has changed
a lot with some new buildings and a lot of the old part
seems to be in need of repair. I wanted to see the “flats”
where I used to stay. Unfortunately, they had completely
changed. I also enquired after one of the staff that I
remember well but she now lives in a nursing home. The
staff there, were all new.
After having a lovely cup of tea, we got a bus back into the
city. We then went on a trip on the Luas, it was great and I’m
glad I got to go on it. Then we did some shopping. There are
so many shops in Dublin it’s hard to decide where to go!
Before it was time to go, we went for a meal at Connolly
Station. It was really tasty.
Overall, my day was very enjoyable. I got to do and see
some things of real interest to me. I think it was well worth it
and suited my IAP perfectly.
By Veronica McConnell 15 Rosog, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim
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West/North
South East/East
West
West/North West
Art Exhibition
On September 11th as part of our
Rehabcare 10 celebrations we were
very proud to have the work of our Art
group exhibited in the local Arts Centre,
Linenhall Street Castlebar. The work
displayed (which included a painting by
Daniel Flanagan R.I.P) was a result of a
year’s hard and creative work by the
ten students and their tutor (and local
artist) Carmel Quinn.
It was opened by Michael Ring TD
and the exhibits were available to be
viewed and for sale until the 25th
September. It was lovely to see so
many family members there
on the day.
Thanks to all the staff involved,
Michael Ring TD, Carmel, the Adult
Education Centre and all at the
Linenhall Arts Centre.
Another group of artists with Carmel (Art Leader)
Fun Day RC10 Celebrations
Castlerea and Lifford. It was a fun filled
day and everyone got to compete in
one or two sports of their choice. We
had bowling, soccer and basketball,
each sport was hotly contested and
there was lots of fun in the process. A
lovely meal was served at dinnertime
after which we all danced for 4 hours to
a lively disco. There were loads of spot
prizes given out and well done to all
the lucky winners.
As part of RehabCare 10 celebrations
RehabCare Castlebar organised a fun
day which was held on September 7th
in McHale Park Castlebar. We invited
other RehabCare centres and our
colleagues next door from NLN. It was
very well attended and we would like
to say a big thank you to all who
travelled to and supported our day,
especially staff and service users from
RehabCare in Ballinamore, Sligo,
16
We had some great volunteers on the
day including Martin and Collette
Moran, Mary Garvin, Orla Brogan and
Rita and Ronnie from NLN. Without their
help, staff would have been under great
pressure, so many thanks to all.
One of the highlights of the day was
getting a Galway girl to wear
a Mayo jersey!
But they will all be wearing Galway
jerseys next year!!
RehabCare Castlebar
Our Social
Night out
We went to Cox’s in Castlebar; it is a
very nice restaurant. We went out for
food and dessert. There were 19 of us
from RehabCare and another group of
13 had gone to the bowling alley. We
had drinks in Cox’s, I had club orange.
Maureen and Bernadette and Melissa
came to Cox’s with us. I had a nice
chicken dish to eat.
We all went home at 7.30. It was an
excellent night out. I was tired and
went to bed at 10:30. I wore a hoody
jumper and jeans to Cox’s. We used to
all go out for our social night together
but the group is too big so we divide
our night into two groups and some
staff go with each group. We really
like our social evening because it
gives us a chance to meet with and
talk to each other outside of work.
RehabCare Castlebar
By Aoife Keane, RehabCare Castlebar
RC10
Celebrations
in Lifford
We did a lot of work getting our centre
ready for our big day. We were all very
excited. On the day we were all dressed
up and looking good. We had a
programme made out for the day’s
events. Loretto our CSM welcomed
everyone for coming. Barry Sweeney and
Kevin Clancy also said a few words.
Mary Coughran TD, Minister for Agriculture
and Food was our special guest. She was Left to right Adrian Devenney, Mary Coughlan TD Minister for Agriculture and Food
Mayor of Donegal Enda Banner, Kevin Clancy Loretto Gillespie and Barry Sweeney
nice and friendly.
There were stands all over the centre to
showcase what programmes we had
taken part in throughout the year. We had
line dancing and expressional dance
performances in the main hall. Everyone
had a part in the day, which made it very
exciting and good fun. The centre looked
very well and was organised for our
visitors. We had a band playing in the
main hall, which we danced to all
afternoon!
We would like to thank everyone for
coming to our celebration in Lifford.
By Michael Devenney & Catalina Keys,
RehabCare Lifford
Line Dancers at Lifford Celebration
My Dream
Come True
It has always been my goal to see
Westlife in concert and when the
opportunity came up I grabbed it!! We
left at 3.00pm to go and see Westlife in
Belfast. Ann, Josephine and Adrian, my
friends, came with me. Dawn and Anne
came too. When we got there I thought
that the Odyssey Arena was big. We got
pictures taken outside the Odyssey.
When we arrived inside the Odyssey
I got very excited. We then got
something to eat. During our meal we
laughed a lot. I couldn’t wait until
Westlife came on.
There were other artists on before
Westlife but I just wanted to hear
Westlife. I was getting more excited.
I went to the Westlife shop with Dawn
and bought a t-shirt, a cup, posters, and
a scarf! When Westlife came on stage
everybody screamed. I was so excited.
They played for about two hours. They
were very good. The show was very
colourful. There was a very good
atmosphere. There was a huge crowd
when we were leaving. It was
unbelievable.
The next morning in the centre my
friends asked how it went - I said that
it was a Dream Come True.
By Gertie Brown, RehabCare Lifford
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West/North West
RC10 At
The OK
Corral!
To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of
RehabCare, last May we organised a
Western-themed Disco in our
centre in Sligo.
We invited service users and staff from
other organisations in our area and a
big crowd turned up on the day, all
dressed up like Cowboys and Indians
with hats, boots and chequered shirts.
South/Midwest
Before the party started a group of
service users from our Centre acted in a
short play as part of their drama
project: they staged a robbery at the
Post Office where the bandits ended up
being arrested by the sheriff.
In the weeks before the party one of
the centre staff, Deirdre O’Rourke, with
the help of other service users, painted
two cowboys’ figures and a western
landscape on a huge wooden panel.
The face parts were cut off so anyone
who wanted could have their portrait
taken looking as if they were in
Arizona. Saloon doors were put up in
our corridor and a perfect imitation of a
bar was painted on a wall with (empty)
whiskey bottles on the tables.
It felt like the real thing!
There were also cardboard horses
and hay bails for people to sit on in
between jives and to have their
picture taken.
The DJ played different kinds of music
(Country & Western, folk and pop) and
everybody got up and shook their spurs
on the dance floor. Some even tried the
karaoke and won a price for best singer.
At times we would take a break to go
up to the “bar” for a quick snack and a
drink, just to go back dancing after that.
Towards the end of the party we had a
lovely cake to celebrate RehabCare
anniversary. Balloons came down from
the ceiling and we had lots of fun
bursting them.
By Mary Duffy, RehabCare Sligo
Visiting
Live 95fm
On 22nd November staff and
service users from RehabCare
Kilbane in Limerick visited Live
95fm Radio Station. Everyone
thoroughly enjoyed the visit.
A special thank you to Mark &
Caitriona, hosts of the Breakfast
Show, who facilitated the visit.
Those pictured are:
Back Row: Elaine O’Riordan,
Eva Simmons, Karen Treacy,
Dominic Prodger, Cathriona (show
host) Front Row: Colleen Phelan,
Ciara McDermot, Niall McDermot,
Mark (show host)
Creative Writing
A FISHY TALE
Below is a creative writing piece about a witch, aptly named 'Primp Fizzle', that was designed and created
by RehabCare Blennerville for its Halloween decorations.
It Friday and they’ve all gone home
Leaving the fish here on its own.
In strolls a cat, eyes open wide,
Poor wee fish - nowhere to hide.
The cat’s got on his roller skates
And rounded up some of his mates.
They searched in every pub and boozer
We’re not going home tonight a loser
The cats they see him heading in,
But they’re determined they will win.
They can’t see beyond their desire
to barbeque him on a fire.
The cat says,
“I’ll have you for my dinner”
He really thinks he’s backed a winner.
The fish says “I’m not having that”
And promptly jumps onto the mat.
They finally find him at the bar
“How the heck did he get this far? ”
But fish has heard them coming in,
they’re hardly quiet - what a din
They blindly chase him through the door
But they don’t know just what’s in store
“We have him now!!” cat loudly
screams
“Yeh right” says fish - “in your dreams”
Out the door the fish did dash
The cat behind him in a flash
He grabs a bus for Galway city
The cat, he’s missed it - what a pity
The fish has made it into town
And grabs a pint in Busker Brown’s
He thinks he’s clear of the pesky cat
But life is not quite as simple as that
Fish decides it’s time to take a hike,
runs out the door and grabs a bike.
The cats dash after, out the bar,
and thumb a lift from a passing car.
The fish peddled as fast as he could
but cats are catching up
- that’s not good.
“I think I’ll head for the aquarium
And get some help from my old chum”
By Lisbaun Sheltered Occupational Service, Creative Writing Group
He’s made it safety to his mates,
The cats are left to meet their fates
as uncle pike and cousin sharky
put an end to all this malarkey.
It’s Monday morning in RehabCare
And there’s puzzled looks
‘cause fish ain’t there.
But fish is happy where he’s gone
…and back at rehab life goes on.
Wear Well, Primp Fizzle!
Primp Fizzle, The Strung-Up Harvest Witch, dangles well above Blennerville
Centre’s canteen floor, a credit to Ger’s direction and Halloween joint effort,
Mary’s input, her spider familiar, in particular!
My contribution, sketching her head-and-hat cut-outs were merest basis
for details realised as Art such as full ruddy lips and bulging eyes bloodshot
with ringlets and ringworm rendered in relief amidst tufted warts!
Though no obvious evidence exists Primp Fizzle is afflicted as is Harry Potter
with a brow by a lightning bolt marred yet a likely lightning rod is her fine
flanking broomstick that could substitute in a trice as The Whiz Wizard’s wand!
Her plump blue hands tipped, pretty in pink, by a Salon manicure indicate
aptly designated is one given to primping display, what with black and
gaudy-green socks, lankily straddling ruby slippers, suggesting
Dorothy of Oz’s Nemesis was a relative not removed distantly!
Appealing while gazing lingeringly on Primp Fizzle is her star-strewn little
black dress draping her stiff-as-cardboard frame offset by a gangrene
complexion she prefers to refer to as “witch hazel”effectively diverting
attention from her designer hump poor primping thing!
By Richard Smyth, RehabCare Blennerville Tralee
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Rehab News_ViewsV6
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Creative Corner
Creative Corner
Christmas Competition
How to make a Christmas wreath
Competition Runners Up
We had four runners up in the Christmas competition. You will have seen two of the entries that won runner-up prizes, Harry
Elliot from Park House, and group entry from RehabCare Cavan, on pages 5 and 15 of the newsletter.
Here are two more of our runners up.
We asked you to send us in your creative Christmas ideas and we had an overwhelming response. The overall winner is
Bronagh Boothman from Dundalk Resource Centre with her step-by-step guide to making a Christmas wreath.
Mandy Simpson from RehabCare Kilkenny won a prize for her highly inventive Christmas treat – a Christmas tree Rice
Crispie cake!
Well done Bronagh!
Betty Halpin from Park House made Christmas gift tags from recycled Christmas cards, a really great way to save paper and
they look great!
We also had a number of runner-up winners who sent in some wonderfully inventive ideas – take a look at some of
these on the following page.
1. What I need - holly, greenery, cones,
ribbon, ring, snow spray and flowers.
2. Tie greenery on to the ring with wire.
3. Cut holly into small pieces and push
them into the ring of greenery.
4. Cover the whole ring
5. Tie wires on cones and put cones on
wreath for decoration. Also put on some
flower heads. Spray on snow to give
Christmas look. Make a ribbon and put
wire on it. Tie the ribon onto the wreath.
6. Stand back and admire the finished
work of art.
Storm
Skyscrapers
High pressure to low pressure.
Wind blows, air moves,
faster then faster,
then joined by rain,
next thunder jumps in
with it’s constant partner lightning.
Trees become flattened
and rivers filled.
The cattle become cold
but the ducks kind of like it
and the cats remain indifferent inside by the fire.
The high buildings catch the sunlight
Together with the lovely old buildings
The blue sky shines high
The shorter buildings have sparks
of sunlight
Going through the windows
By Mark Long, RehabCare HOPS
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Sunlight hits the glass windows
of the skyscrapers
Beaming in
The city has a very nice way
of showing itself.
By Barbara Nolan, RehabCare HOPS
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Rehab News_ViewsV6
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NRAC
South East/East
NRAC
Your Newly elected NRAC National Commitee 2006 - 2008
West / North West
Catalina Keys
Margaret Norris
Bernard McGrath
RehabCare
RehabCare
Reserve Person
Finn Valley Enterprise Park
Finn Valley Enterprise Park
RehabCare Lifford
Letterkenny Road
Letterkenny Road
Lifford
Lifford
Co Donegal
Co Donegal
074-9141430
074-9141430
NRAC AGM
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank the outgoing National
Committee for their dedication and
commitment over the last two years.
I really enjoyed working with you all.
Thanks to all who participated in the
Programmes Workshop/NRAC AGM.
We gathered valuable information from
staff and service users, which
we can all use in our everyday lives.
Advocacy reaches out to each and
every one of us.
I would like to congratulate all
candidates who went forward for
the National Committee – there was
great representation from all regions.
Congratulations to our newly
elected NRAC National Committee
for 2006 – 2008.
Kind Regards
Michelle Joyce
East / South East
Patrick Hargardon
Jane Donnelly
Alice Jackman
RehabCare
RehabCare
Reserve Person
Southern Cross Business Park
Southern Cross Business Park
RehabCare Bray
Boghall Road
Boghall Road
Bray
Bray
Co Wicklow
Co Wicklow
01-2765764
01-2765764
By Michelle Peate-Morgan,
Health and Safety Manager
Jimmy Dooner
Laura Gaffey
Geraldine Harrington
RehabCare
RehabCare
Reserve Person
Kilcrutten
Crescent House
RehabCare
The new RehabCare Safety
Statement was issued to all
centres in August 2006. It’s
important that you read and
understand its contents, so ask
your Manager for a copy.
Industrial Estate
Railway Road
Tullamore
Tullamore
Athlone
Co. Offaly
Co Westmeath
0506-52314
09064-91452
Safety Matters
North East / Midlands
South/ Mid West
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Information Bulletin
Simon Buggy
Michael O’Brien
Patrick Hackett
RehabCare
RehabCare
Reserve Person
Brandon House
Brandon House
RehabCare
Douglas
Douglas
Limerick
Cork
Cork
021-4362701
021-4362701
What are Safety Representatives?
Your RehabCare Safety Representative
plays a very important role with
regard to safety within your centre
and is an essential component of any
effective safety management system.
Where any safety concern is raised,
your Safety Representative will be
able to give you advice and guidance
in addition to any received from your
Manager.
The primary role of your Safety
Representative is to bring to your
Manager’s attention, unresolved issues
of safety, health and welfare relating
to the workplace. In order to do this,
your Safety Representative attends the
quarterly Regional Health & Safety
Committee Meeting.
Your Safety Representative has a
number of important entitlements
within Safety Legislation
which include:
• Consulting with Health and
Safety Inspectors
• Carrying out inspections in the
workplace with the consent
of management
• Investigating situations where
there may be a risk to employees
or accidents/incidents
(Further entitlements are listed in
Section 5 of the Safety Statement.)
In order to carry out their role
effectively your Safety Representative
is required to attend a three-day
Safety Representative Training
Programme, thus ensuring he/she is
fully trained to assist RehabCare in
implementing its Safety Management
Programme.
It is important that you become aware
of whom your Safety Representative
is and I would recommend you ask
your Centre Manager or check out the
Health & Safety Notice Board within
your Centre.
If you are interested in becoming a
Safety Representative for your centre
you should contact your Manager for
further information.
Your comments are always welcome
and if you would like any particular
area of Health & Safety covered in the
next issue then please send me an
email me at:
[email protected]
or phone me at 01-2057229.
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