A new photographic portrait series exhibition entitled ‘I Am’ was on display this month. The portrait series was created by Bryan James Brophy, a Dublin-based photographer for his MFA in Photography at the Belfast College of Art, Ulster University.
The exhibition took place in the St Michael’s House Ballymun Head Office on 15th May 2019 from 11am and was launched by Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cathleen Carney Boud.
The photographic series features portraits of adults with intellectual disabilities who avail of services provided by St. Michael's House in Dublin. The goal of Bryan’s work is to create a greater visual awareness of people with intellectual disabilities in society, to advocate for greater inclusion and to challenge stereotypical attitudes
The exhibition coincided with the UN International Day of Families, which aims to highlight different areas of interest and importance to families, and service users and their families from various St. Michael’s House Units in Dublin were brought together.
Click here for more information about the portrait series:
Thank you Bryan for your great work with St. Michael's House
|
|
|
|
Going to the Computer Gym
The ‘Digital Skills for Citizens’ training course, which provides digital skills training for citizens who are new to the internet and digital literacy tools, was held for service users of St. Michael’s House by Training Manager Sandra Moran, Computer Gym and supported by the IE Domain Registry. The course was held as part of St. Michael’s House comprehensive range of services and supports to men, women and children with intellectual disabilities. It culminated in an awards ceremony at Coolock Development Centre. Digital Skills for Citizens is a programme developed and supported by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Read more on this project.
Pictured (L-R) are Michael Farrell, Director of Adult Services St. Michaels House; David Curtin, CEO of IE Domain Registry; Sandra Moran, Training Manager, Computer Gym; Alan O’Reilly, Digital Skills Trainer; Barbara Wiseman, Head of Communications and Fundraising, St. Michael’s House; Lauren Bacon, St. Michaels House with Lorcan Barry, Joel Caffrey, Courtney Richardson, Stephen Conroy, Cora Sexton and Kevin Ipe, graduates of the ‘Digital Skills for Citizens’ programme.
|
|
|
What is the St. Michael's House Stakeholder forum ?
The membership includes service users, family members and academic representatives. The Forum was set up so that people who have a stake in our service have a way of hearing about what we are doing and our plans for the future, and can tell us what they think about these plans and about the needs of people with an intellectual disability as they see it.
Read the success of the last April meeting..
|
|
|
Our Children's Corner
Our Sibshops
A Sibshop is a structured ‘fun day’ for siblings of children who have a disability.
It provides an opportunity for siblings (usually between the ages of eight and twelve) to meet each other, to realise that there are others who experience similar situations as themselves and to meet some of the clinicians working with their sibling.
The St. Michael's House Social Work are running sibshops for many years. In Goatstown, Sibshops have taken place on an annual basis and this year we celebrated its eighteenth birthday.
A recent Ballymun based Sibshop was celebrated over the Easter break 2019 with 40 children in attendance. Read what happened next...
Progressing Disability Services (PDS) Update
In February 2019 interviews took place to recruit Network Managers. St. Michael’s House will employ four Network Managers to oversee the four Networks where they are a lead agency.
The employment process is currently on hold as the HSE had entered into a mediation process with Trade Union FORSA. By agreement of both parties this process has now been escalated to the Labour Court with an expected hearing date in July.
In the meantime, St. Michael’s House continues to work closely with the HSE and other voluntary bodies in preparation for reconfiguration. Read more
|
|
|
|
Children's Book of the Month
Train your Dragon books are a new addition to the Family Library and Resource Centre located in Ballymun head office. Author Steve Herman is passionate about teaching children valuable social and emotional life lessons through his cute, fun, and relatable dragon children books.
His dragon books have been used by many parents, teachers, school counselors, therapists, and psychologists to help children overcome social and emotional challenges in the fun, effective and relatable ways!
|
|
|
Prize winner Paula Noctor
at Listowel Writer's week
Paula Noctor, a Prize winning writer to be honoured in Listowel Writer's week 2019.Paula will stand amongst Irelands best writers artists and poets at the Listowel Writer's Week May 29th - June 2nd in Listowel Co. Kerry.
Paula's won second prize in the Creative Writing for Adults with Special Needs category. She will be recognised along with other winners/runners ups of various catagories on the Festival's opening night on May 29th.
Read about Paula's winning story.
|
|
|
A message from the St. Michael's House Board
St. Michael's House CEO Anna Shakespeare is moving on to a new role as CEO Pobal this Summer. Anna has made an exceptional contribution to St. Michael's House over the last four years and has guided the organisation with a sure hand throughout her time as CEO. We wish her well on her new endeavours.
The Board has commenced the process to recruit the new CEO and is putting in place the necessary interim arrangements to ensure a smooth transition.
|
|
|
|
|
First Person Centred Planning Discussion Group
Our group of adults were part of our first discussion group. The group was joined by our CEO , Anna Shakespeare. One of our objectives under Goal one in our Strategic plan 2017-2021, is to put in place Personal Centred Planning system for children , young people and adults who use our services.
PCP is the approach to give people the opportunity to set and achieve meaningful goals. It makes a positive difference in people's lives and involves staff and family members.
Read more on PCP
|
|
|
The 29th Jill Donnelly Golf proved to be another great success.
Committee and generous donors dedication to making this event so successful has raised in excess of €40,000/ €50,000 (funds still being counted ) in 2019. This will facilitate the purchase of a new wheelchair accessible bus for St. Michael's House which will bring the total of buses funded by the Jill Donnelly Golf Classic to 28.
After-dinner speaker, author and comedian , Colm O'Regan rocked the house to close the evening.Thank you to sponsors Toyota Ireland and Print experts P & D .A big thank you to our wonderful volunteers on the day from Blackrock College and Milltown Golf Club Junior squads.
The event is only as successful as its Committee and St. Michael's House are extremely fortunate to have such an invested, hard-working Committee committed to raising funds for children and adults with intellectual disabilities
|
|
Our Staff Recruitment - Welcoming new members
St. Michael's House have completed a recent Nurse Open day on May 21st in Swords. Staff recruitment Open days are to engage with the shortage of skills in social care workers and nursing staff.
There were a number of interested persons already working seeking a change and an increased learning curve, others were on holiday and were seeking information to move or return to Ireland, others were seeking on behalf of daughters and sons. It was a pleasure to meet and greet potential new staff and to give a direct insight into St.Michael's House careers.
We are seeking a number of roles in our organisation from administration, clinical team members and frontline supports. Your new career with St. Michael's House on our website.
|
|
|
|
Your Childs Party in Leisureplex helps
support Respite Care in our Services
The management and staff of Leisureplex support St. Michael's House services through fundraising, bowling activities and our highly anticipated annual Christmas Bowl over the last number of years.
We are very grateful for Leisureplex next fundraising initiative for our services. Leisureplex are facilitating customers to make a €2 donation to every children's party booked in their four Leisureplex Locations- Stillorgan , Tallaght, Coolock and Blanchardstown.
All donations support our Respite services.
You may consider your next Children's party in Leisureplex and support Respite services.
|
|
|
Rest in Peace
It is with great sadness that we have recently mourned the loss of
some wonderful people who have used our services.
Edward ( Eddie) Rafferty - resided in Grangemore Rise and most recently Cara Unit .
Our sympathies to his loved ones
|
|
|
Congratulations to all our Special Olympians!
Gold medals, silver medals, bronze medals and ribbons of achievement were all on display as St. Michael's House Special Olympians gathered for a celebratory presentation with our CEO Anna Shakespeare and Joanne Kelly Regional Special Olympic officer.
Our Special Olympic team all joined World Special Olympian Deirdre O Callaghan to celebrate her representing Ireland in Kayaking at the World Games in Abu Dhabi
Read our list of wonderful Athletes and photographs from our celebrations
|
|
|
Con Exhibits in Malahide Centre
Con Sorahan is a 24 year old, who attends the Artane Hub day service in St.Michaels House.
Con loves painting and is inspired by artists, such as Van Gogh and Matisse. Con learned his painting skills at a community art class in Artane. He uses oils on boards.
Con's first Exhibition of p aintings are on display in Malahide Parish Pastoral Centre.
Customers can coffee in the café and view and purchase Con's creations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unique Pencil Sketches Exhibition
Richard Markey's from Castle day services pencil sketches exhibition displayed for a week in May 7th in the St. Michael's House Coolock Head office . The selection consisted of 10 pencil, free-hand sketches of famous paintings that Richard has interpreted in his own style.
The exhibition was part of Richards personal goal from his completed studies of a level 2 QQI Personal Choices module.
Congratulations to Richard on this wonderful Exhibition
|
|
|
|
|
