Description of service

Who uses the services?

People with mild/moderate intellectual disability

How many people use the service?

2

Did your service users previously live in a large establishment?

They lived in a community house where there was a house mother on duty at all times.

Description of good practice example

In the late 1990’s three clients moved from a house which was staffed at all times by a house mother, to live independently in a smaller house in an estate, about one mile away. These three ladies have a moderate/mild intellectual disability. Before moving they had achieved the desired level of independence in all the skills necessary to live independently. 

We had 2 aims

• That these 3 ladies would be viewed as any other new members of this community. (We didn’t visit the neighbours beforehand to get their approval or support). 

   

• That they would contribute to the life of this community. 

Method

Instead of relying on professional support (this was always available when needed) we encouraged and facilitated a natural form of support i.e. family and friends to help them participate in community activities e.g. weight watches, residents association. Through these activities they got to know some of their neighbours. A year later when the neighbourhood watch scheme was being set up they were invited to attend the meetings and their views were listened to. They are now very well integrated into the life of this community.

Name of Organisation: Cope Foundation
Name of Service: Hartlands Avenue Hostel
Address: Cope Foundation, Bonnington, Montenotte, Cork - Ireland
Telephone: 021-4507131 Fax: 021-4507580
Email:fitzm@cope-foundation.ie
Website: http://www.cope-foundation.ie

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