Open Door hopes to open in August

OPEN Door may be able to open its doors once again in August, as long as public health guidelines allow, according to its chairperson Anne Ferris.

Cllr Ferris, who is the Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District Council, was also appointed chairperson of the board of trustees of Open Door in recent months.

To help support the work done by the day centre, Anne decided to dye her hair pink and make an appeal for donations. She is urging anyone who can help, to make a donation at opendoor.ie. Fundraising activities, as with all charities at this time, have been decimated by coronavirus.

The day centre provides facilities and activities for adults with physical disabilities in north Wicklow and south County Dublin.

Anne said that she was surprised and most honoured to be asked to become a member of the board of trustees back in 2017.

As a public representative and Bray resident, she was already very much aware of the wonderful work being done by Open Door.

‘It’s run by a voluntary board of trustees on a non-denominational basis,’ she said.

She served as secretary for about 18 months, and earlier this year was asked if she would consider becoming chair person, following Martin Ryan’s two years in the position.

The board of trustees meets monthly, most recently via Zoom. They go through the finances, discuss how members are doing, the day-to-day running of the centre and any other relevant business.

Anne said that manager Rudy Montejo and development officer Suzanne Cox, and all of the people who work at Open Door, do phenomenal work and care deeply about the service users.

‘Rudy and all the staff haven’t stopped working since the centre was closed in March,’ said Anne. She said that there was a deep-cleaning of the centre itself, and staff have been available to deliver PPE, and bring people to medical appointments. They have also been in regular contact with members to make sure they are well, and see if they need anything.

‘We have been closed for three months,’ said Anne. ‘We hope to re-open at the end of August, all going well.’

She said that the safety of staff and members will be the highest priority as they work towards getting back to providing services such as physio, computers, art, woodwork, music and ceramics.

‘ The social aspect for members of the centre is really important,’ said Anne. ‘As well as some time for carers and families.

Anne is appealing for people to give what they can to the centre. ‘ The Reggie Corrigan golf tournament is due to take place in September and it’s looking unlikely that will go ahead,’ she said. ‘Our main fund-raiser would have been the midsummer lunch.’ Due to take place last weekend, patrons who would usually attend on the day had a special lunch at home instead, and sent some photos to Open Door to display online. ‘I’ve been going to the midsummer lunch for maybe 10 years. It’s always a lovely afternoon,’ said Anne.

‘While we are funded by the HSE there is always a deficit,’ she said. ‘Every single month there’s a deficit. In order to provide services for our beloved members, we really need the funds coming in.’

As well as making donations online, people can donate their old clothes to the clothes bank located on the centre grounds on Vevay Road.

To make a donation, go to opendoor.ie.