On the 27th of June in the Sligo Park Hotel, a celebration event was held to mark the transition of residential disability services to a community living model over the last number of years.
The event was organised by the Centre for Nursing & Midwifery Education in collaboration with Disability Services in Sligo/Leitrim.
In attendance were Disability Services residents and staff with both groups speaking of their experience of moving from a residential campus setting to a community setting and way of living.
Over the last number of years there has been a major change in the provision of support to persons with a disability. There has been a move away from caring for persons in residential institutions to supporting them to live in their local communities. In 2012 the national HSE “Time to move on from congregated settings report” recommended that people who live in congregated settings should move to their own homes in the community with the support they need.
Community living offers the prospect of an improved lifestyle and quality of life over institutional care for people with disabilities. As a society, the supports provided for people with disabilities are driven by the values of equality, the right of individuals to be part of their community, to plan for their own lives and make their own choices, and to get the personal supports they need for their independence.
Over the last decade, the HSE has opened twenty community based homes across Sligo, Leitrim and South Donegal. These houses were chosen carefully based on the needs and wishes of the residents supported by their families. Residents from the then Cregg House Service and Cloonamahon have moved out to these community based homes over the last number of years. Residents have settled very well into their new homes and have become an integral part of their new communities, making friends with neighbours and others in the locality and participating in many local activities such as Tidy Towns Groups, church choirs and Men’s Sheds.
At the celebration event a video was launched which captures the essence of community living from a resident perspective. Click on the link below to view the video featuring Marie Naughton, resident of Ceol na Mara in Sligo:
Sligo Leitrim Intellectual Disabilities Services – Community Living (video)
At the celebration event, there were posters on display made by staff and residents and an art competition was held as part of the event. The purpose of the art competition was to showcase community living and community integration from the resident’s perspective. The competition was adjudicated by Maeve McGowan, Programme Manager in the Hawkswell Theatre. Winners were Mountain View, the Swan Activity Centre and Hazelwood.
According to Edel Quinn, Head of Service for Disabilities for CH CDLMS “The move to a community living model of residential service in Sligo and Leitrim has been a significant undertaking and it would not have been possible without the support of the residents, families, staff, the HSE within Community Healthcare area Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo and at national level. Today’s event is an opportunity for residents and staff to celebrate and showcase the positive impact that community living supports are having in transforming the experiences and lives of people living with disabilities.”
Last updated on: 28 / 06 / 2024
