Give a gift this Christmas

Christmas is a favourite time of year for everyone in Irish Wheelchair Association’s Community Centres.  We do all we can to spread as much joy as possible to every person we work with.

iwa secret santa image

Over the last few years, everyone has become acutely aware of the importance of togetherness. The lockdowns and distancing have been necessary but tough on us all and everybody is looking forward to a Christmas like the ones we used to know.

In Irish Wheelchair Association, we are organising Christmas outings, activities, decorations, you name it – we are battling isolation by bringing fun and festivity to people with disabilities who are part of our community.

€40

€40 could help towards the cost of running Christmas activities in our centres – everything from crafting sessions to singalongs – in the lead up to Christmas Day.

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€70

€70 could support the cost of transport for excursions like Christmas shopping trips or outings to Dublin Zoo to enjoy the Christmas lights.

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€120

€120 could help heat and keep the lights on in our centres throughout the winter.

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Liz

Liz has been coming to one of our 58 Community Centres three days a week for many years and it has become a lifeline to her. She loves how the centre is so lively and full of opportunities to get involved. “I have more energy the days I come here.”

When she is not at the centre Liz can find the days are long and lonely. “There are people I can ring but it doesn’t be the same. I watch telly but there doesn’t be much on. It’s very lonely if I can’t come [to the Centre].”

That sense of isolation is something that affects many of the people who come to our centre.

As Liz says, “Loneliness is something that people talk about a bit here.”

“It’s very lonely if I can’t come [to the Centre].”

Liz loves the activities organised in the run up to Christmas and Christmas shopping is her favourite. It is something she would have a really hard time arranging on her own. So, Irish Wheelchair Association makes Liz’s Christmas shopping trips possible – organising the transport to and from the local shopping centre, as well as accompanying and assisting her as she picks out gifts for her loved ones. “I love shopping. A bit too much!” she laughs.

One of the presents she always picks out is a Secret Santa gift for someone at the Centre. For Liz, Secret Santa is a chance to be truly thoughtful and generous, to pick out just the right thing for someone who might never know it is from her.

Give the gift of…

Opportunity

Access to employment can be a vital way for someone with a disability to be active and independent. That’s why we have an employability and job seeking skills programme.

Connection

To foster community and battle isolation, we operate 58 Community Centres offering day services, transport, training, outings and much more.

Support

We are here to provide practical advice for anyone who needs it. From advice on Parking Permits and home adaptations to information about Personal Assistants and Sports Clubs.

Adventure

We partner with accessible hotels in Galway, Offaly and Kilkenny to make it possible for people with disabilities to have a break away from home.

Freedom

We currently have 123 buses that travel around the country helping people with disabilities getting to where they need to go – from social outings and sporting activities to community services and medical appointments.