|
|
Health Service Executive Reports
The Department of Health have recently published two reports which are of
great interest.
The first report relates to Improving Home Care Services in Ireland. This involved a consultation process and was undertaken to inform the development of a statutory scheme and system of regulation for home-care services. Over 2,600 responses were received from individuals and stakeholder-organisations. The report on the findings of the public consultation was prepared by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland.
The second report relates to Personalised Budgets for People with a Disability. One of the Governments key objectives is to provide people with disabilities with services and supports which will empower them to live independent lives, provide them with greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. To achieve this aim, the Programme for Government provided a commitment to the establishment of a Task Force on Personalised Budgets.
More information on Department of Health website https://health.gov.ie/ were you can also download alternative versions of the Personalised Budgets report.
|
|
|
|
Congratulations to our P-Pal Leaders - Physical Active Leaders
Una Hennessey, Paula Carroll and Lynn Conroy of Work Options are now P-PAL Leaders. The ladies have been part of the eight week P-PAL programme which aimed to enable people with intellectual disability to become physical activity leaders (PALs) in their community.
The programme took place in two locations, Ireland and Spain. The two locations were selected to enable a cross-country comparison.The programme empowered older people with intellectual disability to be more physically active, improve functional mobility and also to lead their peers in physical activity.
"It allows for the delivery of a practical programme in two different service contexts, cultural context and languages, providing a different perspective for both countries – both, however, with a shared vision of access to and participation in sport, leisure, art, cultural and other activities as a central component of how citizens with intellectual disability engage in society and achieve a sense of community belonging" Dr. Mary-Ann O’Donovan, Trinity College Dublin.
The project was in collaboration with Age & Opportunity and the University of Barcelona and led by Trinity College Dublin and Trinity Sport.
The ladies will be returning to Trinity Sports Centre in December for graduation and a sports day with all P-PAL leaders and the participants of their groups.
"I think it is a great course. It gives you confidence" Lynn Conway.
"I love being a leader. I love our sessions every Thursday" Una Hennessey.
"We made very good friends. It’s great being a leader. I now have confidence to teach a yoga class in Work Options" Paula Carroll.
|
|
|
A Family that opened up the world for Adult Group
Cill Bharrog Local Centre, located in Kilbarrack Dublin 5, has recently inherited a new Rodious 7 seater vehicle to transport their service users. This is a very welcomed gift as the Unit's recent vehicle just expired in June.
Sincere thank you to the Gilmore family, whom after a recent bereavement of their own son Mark donated their vehicle to ensure others within St. Michael's House services benefited.
Cill Bharrog Local Centre facilitates a day service for 13 service users most who live at home and some who live in residential services provided by St. Michael's House. Cill Bharrog Local Centre is a unit within St. Benedicts Resource centre in Dublin 5.
Transport is essential to ensure people can travel to and from their day service/home/hospital appointments and to and from outings/ activities of their choice in the local community. Public transport is used where possible but a vehicle makes it possible for all level of ability to engage in inclusive community activity .
It is a very generous and courageous donation and Cill Bharrog Manager Marie Clarke is extremely grateful. Here are the guys on holidays in Bettystown. There are many more enjoyable fun days for this vehicle to give to others. Thank you Gilmore Family.
|
|
|
|
NEW DIRECTIONS- EASI TOOL LAUNCH
The launch of the New Directions ,Evaluation, Action and Service Improvement (EASI) Tool took place recently in St. Michael’s House. Management and staff teams from Day services attended this workshop.
A tool is regarded as a measuring indicator of performance.
New Directions report 2012 was published after a review of Health Service Executive ( HSE) Day services. Day services are regarded as services used by people during day hours, mainly 9am-5pm.
New Directions will be reviewing the quality of Day services using an EASI Tool which will enable services to complete a self evaluation to check what they are doing well and what they could do better.
How the tool helps- The EASI tool was developed by the HSE to help day services complete this self evaluation. The aim of the EASI process is to produce a constructive report which will help services to maintain and improve the quality of our services. The report will generate an action plan that services can use to plan and deliver services and supports going forward.
How it works- New Directions has Interim Standards with seven themes. The Interim Standards help services do what it says in New Directions. The first three themes are about the services people receive, making sure that the supports are of good quality and safe. The last four themes are about services and staff, and value for money.
The next steps- All Day service providers have been asked to conduct a self evaluation on Theme 1 – Individualised Services and Supports. Our Staff teams will be responsible for gathering the information from all stakeholders and the timeframe for completion of the self evaluation on Theme 1 is by November 2018.
The launch allowed St. Michael's House staff to come together to discuss ideas and resources available to support with New Directions.This is a great opportunity for service teams to show their excellent work.
|
|
Noel Hughes Golf Classic: Our longtime supporter and parent Noel Hughes just completed the 9th Donabate Golf Club Classic in aid of St. Michael's House on Friday 7th September. The successful event supports Sallowood residential and Castle training services. Congratulations to Noel and his team for a donation of €15,000 from this years event bringing his fabulous fundraising total to over €85,000.
St. Margaret's Golf & Country Club: Our Charity Partner St. Margaret's Golf & Country Club have already raised approximately €11,000 to support a residential renovation in LaVerna residential service. They are doing amazing work all year to achieve their target €20,000. The next effort on their calendar of events is the upcoming Pro-Am Classic. Updates on our Facebook page
The Jill Donnelly Golf Committee regrouped on October 4th for a round of golf and a round-up of 2018 event. The event raised over €55,000 in 2018 which supports the purchase of a wheelchair accessible bus for use in our services. This 17 strong committee, chaired by Donnacha Fox, are already planning the April 2019 in Milltown Golf Club.
We are very grateful to all our volunteers who plan to and do tee off each year in aid of St. Michael's House.
|
|
|
Our Staff recruitment drive - welcoming new members
St. Michael's House have completed two recent staff Open days in order to engage with the shortage of skills in social care workers and nursing staff. Open days were held in the north and south of the city and were deemed very successful . 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.
Our next Nurse Open Day is October 10th.
One such role is to welcome our new Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNSp) Dementia Care of Intellectual Disability (ID)who will take up her role at the end of September. The appointment is an essential element in the provision of effective, high quality, seamless integrated care for people with dementia. She will work as a member of the dementia team supporting people with dementia and their families/carers throughout their disease trajectory.
|
|
|
Appeal to Budget 2019
Our CEO Anna Shakespeare, and senior members of management, are in continual discussion with Ministers and Senators to outline the need for improvement of adequate funding to provide services for people with Intellectual Disabilities and their families.
St. Michael's House are also members of Disability Federation Ireland (DFI) who are represented at the HSE National Disability Consultative Forum (NCF).The NCF wrote to a number of Ministers including: Minister for Health Simon Harris, Minister for State and special responsibility for Disabilities Finian McGrath and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Pascal Donohue in relation to the disability sector in Budget 2019.
A request for funding on a Multi Annual basis within the disability sector was outlined on the above five priorities .
|
|
|
|
Win, Win, Win !
€40.00 voucher for T.G.I Friday's!
We have T.G.I Friday's €40.00 for one lucky E-zine subscriber to win !
Simply subscribe to the E-zine, share and email us communications@smh.ie your comment in ten words of less. I would like to dine in T.G.I Friday's because....
Winner will be picked by draw on 25th October 2018 by our Communications team and witnessed in St. Michael's House. Winner be will contacted by email to collect their prize. Good luck.
|
|
|
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.
Dearbhla Graham - resided in Breaffy House and attended Dublin Road Day Services
Stephen Maurice Malone - resident of Cara and former of Whitehall Lodge
Eoil Lennon - resident of Baldoyle and attended Friends Day Service in Baldoyle
Joan Hutchinson - resident of Cara and attended Moyle Road Day Services
Conor Flynn - pupil of Ballymun Special National School
Annette Doyle - resident of Newbrook and more recently Glencorry
Our sympathies to their loved ones
|
|
|
St. Michael's House Club Draw Car Winner 2018
Congratulations - Mr. Stanford Sokole from Stamullen, Co. Meath
A Club Draw membership is the monthly charity donation that could win YOU prizes!
For just €3 a week, you could be in with a chance of winning monthly cash prizes of €1000, €600 and €400 and entered into the Annual Car Prize.
Supporting Our Service - Proceeds from the Club Draw, directly support the St. Michael’s House purpose built Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre in Belcamp, Dublin. An average of 860 children and adults with intellectual disability attend the Leisure Centre each month. St. Michael’s House service users and their families of all ages and abilities are given the opportunity to participate in some form of physical activity.
To Join - complete and return the signed membership form- Contact fundraising@smh.ie.
St. Michael's House would also like to thank our Club Draw sponsors New Ireland Assurance. New Ireland Assurance has an association with St. Michael’s House over the last 15 years advising on St. Michael’s House Pensions and also any wider advice on the important queries regarding Life & Serious Illness, Savings & Investments. If you have any queries regarding any aspects of your Financial Planning or those set out below, please contact Terry Rowland directly on 087 246 8608.
|
|
|
Congratulations to all our Special Olympians!
Gold medals, silver medals, bronze medals and ribbons of achievement were all on display in our Coolock HQ on Tuesday 24th July where our St. Michael's House Special Olympians gathered for a celebratory presentation by our CEO Anna Shakespeare and Director of Adult Services Michael Farrell.
Congratulations to Anthony Coleman, Lisa Caffrey, John Byrne, Courtney Richardson, Roy Pickett, Edward Doran, Mark Steele, Colin Grassick, Sabrina Phelan, David Kinsella, Dina McAnaspie, Deirdre O'Callaghan, Sarah Carroll, Angela Kirwin, Noel McClelland, Damien Byrne, Breda Doyle, Cathy Soden, Una Hennessy, Philip O'Reilly, Michael Hall, Raymond Parrott, Nicole Redmond and Joey Cunningham.
Special mention to Deirdre O'Callaghan who has been chosen to represent Ireland in Kayaking at the World Games in Abu Dhabi 2019.Thank you also to our coaches, Dyfed Davis, Gill Byrne, Linda Corcoran and Conor Grassick.
|
|
|
Darren Kidd takes home bronze #SMHActive
Congratulations to Daren who won bronze in the I-Karate Irish International Open Budapest, Hungray.
Daren is a member of the National Squad Inclusive and is a keen student of coach Brain Carroll from karateash.com. Brian is a National Officer for Inclusion and Disability for Karate Ireland ONAKAI -the National Governing Body for Karate. Daren attends St. Michaels House Santry Hall and practices Karate every Wednesday and is in constant training over the last number of years. He is a member of Karate Ash Karate Club.
Daren has trained hard and has competed at Local and National Level. He has International debut last year at the Irish International Open.Daren supported by this family , coach ,santry hall staff and colleagues is now in preparation for the I-Karate Belgium Open next March and the I-Karate World Cup in April in Dublin City University( DCU) Dublin. |
|
|
|
|
|
Riding High
#SMHActive
Morgan Lambert McCluskey, a pupil at Ballymun Special National School and aspiring equestrian rider took the reigns this Summer.
Morgan had the opportunity to ride out in the famous Dublin Horse Show in the RDS, Dublin on Saturday 11th August.
Morgan was accompanied by his instructors from Riding for the Disabled Ireland (RDAI).
An Irish Voluntary Organisation which is proud to offer the opportunity of therapeutic and recreational Riding or Carriage Driving to any person, with a physical or intellectual disability
Morgan was cheered on by his very proud family and school teacher Vanessa Murray.
Keep on , keep on
riding Morgan !
|
|
|
|
|
