Description of the service
When was the service set up?
1990
Who uses the services?
Different clients with disabilities.
How many people use the service?
Circa 40
Did your service users previously live in an institution or other large establishment?
Some did live in an institutional setting. Many live at home.
Background: Establishing a “Wishes & Dreams” Programme
Comeragh Wishes & Dreams was established by us when our service users were being interviewed regarding their career choice. They were unable to express their views on career choice except to state what they really wished to do. Everything they wished for entailed community involvement. Therefore, rather than aiming to combat discrimination, we tried to eliminate the “myth” that people with intellectual disabilities could not fully participate in a “choice” of career or social events i.e. some wished to be a teacher, or a fireman or a gard for a day. Some wanted to go to concerts, some to sporting events etc.
Method
Not many people that we spoke to felt that the service users could achieve their “wishes”, their aims and goals. We involved the help of as many members of the local community as possible thus educating them to realise the potential and ability of each individual service user.
Outcome
We invited members of the public to be active supporters of our Wishes & Dreams Programme, the outcome for them was an educational perspective, a learning experience and a view of service users as individuals. The outcome for us was that the Wishes & Dreams Programme enabled us to achieve eventually good community contacts to help increase our work experience and supported employment programme which may lead to service users finally achieving their “career” choice.
Name of Organisation: Brothers of Charity Services South East Region
Name of Service (if different): Comeragh Services
Address: Unit 617, Northern Industrial Estate, Waterford – Ireland
Telephone: 00353-51-377933 Fax: 00353-51-372240
Email: paddyshore@waterford.brothersofcharity.ie
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