Parents and relatives provide a unified voice for their loved ones
THE St. Mary of the Angels Parents and Relatives Association was founded in 2016 in order to support and enhance the lives of the residents and the quality of their home in St Mary of the Angels. The families and service have a long history of working collaboratively together over the years particularly on an individual basis.
In 2016 the families formed the SMOA Relatives association to strengthen this relationship further and also to provide a platform for families members who do not support the national Policy on congregated settings which plans the development of community living potentially providing residents at St Mary of the Angels (SMOA) with homes in the community as part of the national policy: ‘ Time to Move On from Congregated Settings’. The group are committed to supporting all families and fully respect the rights of any resident or family who would like to avail of these new services.
Supported by Chairman Jack Fitzpatrick, the association’s members are guided by nothing more than their undivided love and consideration for the children and adults in the SMOA campus, and who avail of excellent services which are administered by a great team of staff.
Currently at SMOA there is onsite Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology, weekly GP visits, sensory rooms and a hydrotherapy pool which families value greatly and regard as essential elements of support for their family member. The family group continue to advocate for improvements to the current services and are a very positive influence in planning for the future of Saint Mary of the Angels with both the local management and the HSE. Compliance with HIQA requirements is also essential in securing the future of SMOA. The parents group vigorously take part in fundraising campaigns that make this objective a step closer in relation to improving buildings which were originally designed for children. The necessary improvements to the campus would not only help with compliance, but would also enhance the quality of life for its residents.
“Our mission is to improve residents’ lives, enhance the grounds and buildings on campus and take all necessary steps to guarantee continued HIQA registration. HIQA inspections have repeatedly praised SMOA for the expertise of staff and the social model of care which maximises residents’ capacity to exercise personal autonomy and choice in their daily lives,” Jack Fitzpatrick said. Jack added that providing each resident with their own private bedrooms is a primary goal for the parents and relatives group. Moreover, by reducing shared bedrooms on the entire campus it would be a significant step towards ensuring the satisfaction of HIQA standards and continued registration. Planning permission has also been sought for two additional sitting rooms which would give residents even more privacy during recreational time.
Over €80,000 has been raised by the parents group of which €60,000 has been put towards the extensions to be built in the next two years. In addition, €20,000 was set aside for vital resurfacing works to the driveways on campus, thus enabling residents to traverse easily and more safely around the grounds. The parents’ group are also delighted to have been nominated as one of the main beneficiary charities in the 2018 Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle and would greatly appreciate any support.