Disability and Mental Health Community Inclusion One of the key priorities of the Equality Working Group is to promote the inclusion of people with a disability and mental ill health. Participation in social inclusion initiatives has the potential of enhancing the lives of those affected. Participation in such initiatives promotes equal rights and opportunities and allowing these individuals to have control and choice over how they live their lives and reach their full potential, in line with the Government of Ireland National Disability Strategy (2017-2021). IRD Duhallow’s Equality Working Group is committed to delivering on commitments towards a person-centred service, promoting equality and social inclusion and supporting individuals to achieve their personal goals and to be equal members of their local community.
Members of the COPE Group who attend weekly workshops with Duhallow Furniture REVAMP team.
The Towards Occupation Programme class busy working making quilts as part of their sewing and Craft classes. COVID-19 The recent COVID-19 Pandemic has had a huge impact on individual’s mental health. Many people’s lives and routines have changed dramatically over the last number of months. It is a worrying time for many and has resulted in a rise in issues such as stress, anxiety, insomnia, insecurity and a feeling of a loss of sense of control. In response to this IRD Duhallow organised a suite of online training workshops aimed at dealing with topics such as anxiety, sleep and uncertainty and change. The workshops were delivered by Marianne Wall, Counselling Psychologist with Smart Psychology.
Towards Occupation Programme IRD Duhallow’s Towards Occupation Programme continues to provide community based support to those experiencing multiple barriers to progression due to their mental ill health. It aims to support people to participate in their own recovery Brian Casey planting some seeds in the and to achieve their full potential. Community Gardens in the James O’Keefe The programme places a strong Institute as part of the Towards Occupation Horticulture module. emphasis on confidence building, communication skills, increased self-belief and promotes social interaction in a community based setting. It provides a combination of flexible one to one person centred supports, guidance and training. Training takes place on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Modules delivered in the last year have included Personal Development, Horticulture, Sewing & Craft and Yoga. The provision of transport is an essential element of the programme, this helps increase access to the programme. There is a clear focus on capacity building as well as a strong personal development dimension intertwined throughout the training modules to improve the progression opportunities of participants and to explore different pathways to achieving their personal fulfilment.
Community Emotional Support and Counselling Service IRD Duhallow’s Emotional Support Service is a confidential and nonjudgemental service. Funded by our SICAP Programme, it is a free service available by appointment to anyone over the age of 18, affected by mental ill health. Mature Students from Cork Institute of Technology provide a weekly community based Emotional Support and Counselling Service in the James O’Keeffe Institute as part of their placement process. This includes a telephone service and one to one Integrative counselling. Callers to the Bereavement phone have been referred to this service. During the recent Covid-19 Pandemic, the service was adapted and is now offered to clients via video links such as Zoom and Skype. IRD Duhallow Shine Phrenz Support Group Shine in collaboration with IRD Duhallow established the Duhallow Shine Phrenz Group in 2016. The support group is peer facilitated and supports individuals in their own mental health recovery. Peer support is a system of giving and receiving help. It is founded on the key principles of respect, shared responsibility and mutual agreement of what is helpful and offers a culture of help and Trudy Taylor, tutor of a Craft Class ran in ability. Peer support allows people Teach Mhuire in Rathmore through support from the SICAP Programme. to think non-judgementally about the way they experience and make meaning of their lives. The primary goal is to responsibly challenge the assumptions about mental health and wellness and at the same time support individuals to enable and empower them to make changes and decisions to enhance their lives. The group meet monthly in the James O’Keeffe Institute, Newmarket.
Julie Lehane cutting material as part of her Sewing and Craft class. Denis Keane and John Fitzgerald potting plants as part of their weekly Horticulture module.
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