RICHARD O’LEARY HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSON-CENTRED PLANNING

The first and primary goal in St Michael’s House Strategic Plan 2022-2026 is to build on the personcentred work that was successfully implemented in the previous strategy and continue to move the organisation towards the delivery of services based on service users’ rights. Person Centred Planning (PCP) discovers how our service users want to live their lives, what is required to make that possible and provides them the opportunity to set and achieve meaningful goals.

Richard O’Leary resides in Glencree residential in Ballymun, Dublin 9. Supported by his keyworkers, Richard has become an active advocate for person-centred planning and has presented to social care students and key stakeholders from Trinity College Dublin, Open Training College, TU Blanchardstown among others on the importance of a lifecycle planning approach to services.

Richard, why is person-centred planning important to you?

I get to make my own decisions on what I do and where I go each day

What do you enjoy most about presenting to students?

Getting money, meeting new people and telling them my story

What other things do you like to get involved in with St Michael’s House?

Autism Day, meeting old friends and staff, recruitment days

What are your favourite things to do?

Walking to the garage by myself, going to see Bohs play, going to drama, Zumba and the Salt Caves