Building hopes and dreams

At the beginning of the year, the EOSS project –which supports people with an intellectual disability or autism - was rapidly expanding, with additional staff and service users commencing with both our Outreach and Time Out teams.

The team also relocated to a purposelyrenovated space comprising office facilities, gaming room, sensory room, art room, kitchen and two living areas. This enables service users to achieve their goals, while building on social interactions and independent living skills.

The rollout of a new Person-Centred Planning Framework by the HSE was introduced. This is designed to support people with disabilities to make choices about how they wish to live their lives. It focuses on hopes, dreams, and wants, rather than the needs of the person and was implemented in line with the HSE’s New Directions programme in both the Outreach and Time Out projects.

As with all projects, Covid posed challenges with both staff and service users. A study by the National Advocacy Services for People with Disabilities in Ireland reported that people with a disability were one of the worse groups affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Closure and reduction of day services nationwide led to many people with disabilities losing social interaction, confidence, and skills. There was also an increase in mental health concerns including anxiety and depression. Carers also reported exhaustion and anxiety.

EOSS services continued to be provided and staff worked diligently and creatively to think of activities to keep people socially active within the community, while adhering to the most up to date Covid guidelines and ensuring a high standard of infection control.

When we first met Brendan he was isolated from his family and his community. He was in a wheelchair and residing in a nursing home, despite only being a relatively young age.

Independent living just wasn’t an option for him at this point in his life, which left him feeling frustrated and angry. He was untrusting of people and felt he had no one to listen to him.

Extern provided Brendan with weekly visits in the nursing home and phone calls to check in when staff knew he was struggling emotionally. Little by little, Brendan began to build a trusting relationship with our team and began to feel he could better articulate his feelings and emotions.

Gradually, Brendan also began to build a relationship with his family and went home to visit them. When the decision was made that he could move to a supported living facility in the community Brendan was overjoyed, as he could now begin to see himself living his life independently.

Thanks to Extern, Brendan can begin to get out and enjoy life and feels more hopeful for his future as a result of engaging with Extern.

Team member, Extern Outreach Support Service, Limerick