IWA members in Roscommon complete Self-Advocacy Training
In recent years, IWA’s Loughrea Young Adult Service and Corlann West Services for Young Adults have been based in temporary facilities in the area but needed more space for their groups. Both services provide a Monday to Friday programme, funded by the HSE, for young adults as they progress from secondary school into further education, career development or adult services.
IWA and Corlann worked together to secure the new facility from a local developer to provide the best service for their members. Now young adults with disabilities in east Galway can continue their IWA and Corlann programmes in a new fully accessible space located in Loughrea Shopping Centre on the Athenry Road. The co-location of both services on the same premises means much more communal space for the young people who attend each week.
Speaking at the event, Allen Martyn, IWA Loughrea Service Coordinator said: “This is a great day for young people in the community. Back when we began this project with Sean Conneely of Corlann (now retired) we had a vision for a dedicated hub for young adults in Loughrea. A place where young people with disabilities could come after they finished the secondary school system and where they could progress and figure out the life they want for themselves by developing their independence, going on to further education or looking for employment. We knew the service we could provide for young people would be stronger and more effective if Corlann and IWA were in the same building so it’s great to open this facility today.”
Lauren Daly has been a member of IWA’s School Leavers Service in Loughrea for four years and is really enjoying the new facility. Lauren has had a difficult few years with ongoing health issues so she really values being able to come to the centre every day. “I love all the friends I have made here” she says. “The new centre here is really great.”
Noah Curley is also part of the service locally. Speaking at the opening he thanked the IWA staff for their support stating “The staff encourage and help build our self-confidence all the time. There is always fun and laughter and a lot of the time, cake! I feel I really developed my social skills since joining and I’ve had so many firsts…. I had my first disco, my first concert, even a debs ball, but most of all I am grateful for the friendships I have formed.”
Patrick Mir, Team Leader with Corlann said: “This new Centre represents far more than just a building. It provides a welcoming base where young adults can build confidence, make independent choices and pursue their own goals and aspirations. Through personalized supports, we work alongside each individual to develop life skills, access further education and employment opportunities, strengthen community connections and achieve greater independence. The shared facility with the IWA creates even more opportunities for young adults to learn, grow and participate as active and valued members of their local communities while receiving the support they need to realize their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.”
This collaboration between Corlann and IWA will see both HSE-funded services operate independently but also offers opportunities to collaborate and share resources when opportunities arise for example with visiting external trainers and there is so much more potential.
According to both organisations this hub has also enabled them to build strong connections within the wider community where they can invite other local organisations and services to join activities and events, creating opportunities for inclusion in the local community.
A huge thank you to everyone who made this happens. We would like to officially welcome the Loughrea Community Centre to our family of centres across Ireland.
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