On Tuesday 18th July 2023, Minister Rabbitte T.D., Minister for Disabilities, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth officially opened the Community Inclusion Dungloe, Hub in Donegal.
Community Inclusion (CI) Dungloe Hub is a HSE Day Service for school leavers and young adults in the Rosses, Dungloe and surrounding areas. CI Dungloe Hub is part of Donegal Community Inclusion Training Services (DCITS) a HSE Day Service provider which delivers services for adults between the ages of 18 to 65 years with intellectual disabilities across the county. DCITS’ aim is to ensure that people using the service are at the heart of everything they approach. This is a process that involves listening, thinking, sharing ideas and providing supports so that those using the service are at the centre of the decisions which relate to their lives.
Officiating at the opening Minister Rabbite stated “I am delighted to be here today to officially open the CI Dungloe Hub. It provides day service supports which are in line with the New Directions approach. New Directions sets out the standards that day services should align to in the delivery of adult disability day services. It is evident that there is a strong focus at CI Dungloe hub on using a person-centred approach, on facilitating and creating opportunities for meaningful community inclusion and integration and on providing good quality supports.”
CI Dungloe Hub is a HSE run school leaver service for young adults who have an intellectual disability transitioning to adult services. The young adults who attend will have recently finished school or other education and training programmes. The Hub works closely with the young adults, and with their consent and that of their families / supporters, to build independence, set personal goals, and support them to live their life in the way that they want. The Hub works very closely with the HSE Day Service Coordination Team and the Guidance Officers within that team. The role of the Guidance Officers is to work with each individual to identify strengths and support needs and guide them to the service that will best meet those needs and wishes. People can self-refer to the services, or can seek referral from other health / social care professionals.
Paul Mc Fadden, from the CI Dungloe Hub commented on the benefit he gets from attending the service - “My name is Paul Mc Fadden. I come from Gweedore. I am smart, funny, and kind to others. I would like to add I am good looking too. I started in the CI Dungloe Hub in September 2020.
I enjoy attending CI Dungloe Hub because I like the big open space, the staff, my friends and the routine. One of my biggest achievements so far is my work experience placement in SuperValu – this was a big goal for me, my keyworker helped me with it. My job in SuperValu is stacking the shelves, and I like helping the customers to find what they are looking for and having the craic with them.
In my last PCP (Person-Centred Plan) one of my goals was to record my own song and music video – I released this on DCITS Facebook page and YouTube. From this I was invited to Highland Radio where I got the chance to perform my song live on air. I’d like to thank my keyworker Aine and Fionn and the staff who supported me with my song and video. I can’t wait to work on more goals and plans in the CI Dungloe Hub.”
Deborah Smith, CI Dungloe Hub Coordinator stated, “CI Dungloe Hub is located in the heart of Dungloe and our central location is accessible to all and gives a great feeling of inclusiveness. We have a real sense of connection with the community around us. Our proximity to the town has helped the service users integrate within the local community and build relationships with the fantastic local businesses, community groups and people around us. A special word of thanks to all the businesses and employers locally who have facilitated work experience and employment opportunities for the service users, and given them opportunities to learn and develop new skills and relationships in the workplace. We as a service are so proud to be part of the town of Dungloe, we could not have done it without the service users and of course their families, friends and supporters. I am very excited to see the progression into the future for our young service users in their local community.”
Head of Service for Disability Services in Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo, Edel Quinn, commented, “I would like to thank Minister Rabbitte for her visit to Donegal which provided an opportunity to showcase the new developments occurring in Disability Services. It also provided an opportunity to update the Minister on unmet needs, the challenges in delivering Disability Services and the developments required to meet the support needs of people with disabilities.”
During her visit to Donegal Minister Rabbitte also took time to meet with the staff of the Children’s Disability Network Team for North Donegal who are based in Letterkenny.
Following this she visited the “No Barriers Foundation” a not for profit organisation based in Letterkenny. Its services include exoskeleton rehabilitation, neurological physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
Finally following the CI Dungloe Hub opening Minister Rabbitte met with residents, HSE staff and members of the Parents and Friends Housing Association at three community group homes in Dungloe for adults with intellectual disabilities. At their homes, known as “Teach Owey”, “Teach Inishfree” and “Teach Inishall”, the residents kindly gave the Minister a tour and they discussed what is was like to live there, what activities they take part in and what supports they receive.
Last updated on: 20 / 07 / 2023
