10 October 2023
HSE Media Release
On 10th of October to mark World Mental Health Day a new booklet depicting 10 personal recovery stories was launched in the Vestry, St Conals, Letterkenny.
HSE Ascain Training and Support Service (formerly Worklink North West) provides person centred training programmes and one-to-one support to people who are in recovery from mental ill health/illness at its centres in Letterkenny, Dungloe, Carndonagh and its outreach locations in Buncrana and Moville. The service aims to help educate and support those attending to become more self-aware of who they are and what they want to do in their life; to help them find their voice and make the choices and decisions that are important to them while also assisting them to set and achieve their own personal goals.
According to Gemma McLoone Manager Ascain Training & Support Service, “Ascain means ‘to journey’ in Irish and the people who participate in our programmes are on their own personal recovery journey; moving to a place where life is better; and as our slogan says “where people feel better” The ethos of Ascain is person-centredness with emphasis on the themes of recovery - Hope, Personal Responsibility, Education, Self-Advocacy and Support.”
The purpose of this event was to showcase the great achievements of the service users who have been a part of the Ascain Training and Support Service. She continued “Today is a celebration of the attainment of small and large, short term and long term goals. Each individual is on their own personal journey with their own hopes and goals, all of which contributes to their own personal recovery story.
Speaking on their own journey of recovery at the launch one service user stated “I never had a passport, was never on a plane and was never outside Donegal. There’s no stopping me now! “
Guest motivational speaker and Disability Advocate Nikki Bradley speaking at the event stated “I was delighted to support Ascain on World Mental Health Day. We came together to celebrate the success of the service users who shared their inspiring stories. The launch of this booklet will hopefully encourage others to take that all important first step. The many stories shared in this booklet will resonate with everyone regardless of background or personal circumstances. The many services provided through Ascain have the power to change a person's life and that is wonderful to see."
Last updated on: 11 / 10 / 2023
