An excellent respite service enriching lives
SHEILA Marie Fitzgerald is Programme Manager for Children’s and Adult Services with St. John of God Kerry Services and she explains how important the services in Listowel and Beaufort are in terms of giving families a break.
Abhaile ( Listowel) and the Arches ( Beaufort) are respite centres for children and adults that plays a major day- to- day role in the Service as the location of each house covers a broad geographical spread which is important for children, adults and their families.
In May of 2016 Abhaile Respite Service was the first Children’s Service in the country to achieve HIQA compliance in all areas, while in April 2018 the Arches received glowing praise as part of their HIQA report. Michael Moriarty is the person in charge of the Arches, Beaufort, while Siobhan Keane is the person who oversees the running of Abhaile Respite Service and Ashfield Lodge Day Service - both located in Listowel. Additionally, the wonderful after school service in Cahersiveen, which caters for 8 children, is another welcome addition to the St. John of God Kerry Services.
“The Arches and Abhaile are respite services,” Sheila said.
“The Arches links in with St Francis Special School in Beaufort where staff collect pupils from school and bring them directly to the house, while Abhaile links with Nano Nagle School in Listowel. Both services are very warm and welcoming settings and each house excellent feels like a home.”
The children get to enjoy a range of social activities in the community when accessing respite. These events include visits to Kennedy’s Pet Farm, Dingle Ocean World, Tralee Bay Wetlands, attending football matches, and visits to the gym. Even within the respite homes themselves activities can vary between basketball, use of trampolines, use of fabulous sensory rooms, hand massage, gardening, art, music, TV and computer access. In 2016 Kerry football ‘ STAR’ Kieran Donaghy paid a visit to Abhaile Respite and Ashfield Day Services in Listowel. It was a lovely visit and some great pictures of the children, adults, staff and Kieran are today displayed in the house following his visit.
“The children are encouraged and supported to develop daily living skills in order to promote lifelong skills. It’s all about inclusion and these services are very well run facilities which are a credit to the staff in each location. The houses create a lovely warm and welcoming atmosphere and are designed to benefit both the children and their families. I’m very proud of what these services provide for children and their families,” Sheila said.
Ashfield Lodge in Listowel is the location for the Adult Day Service and service users from surrounding areas take part in a range of activities when they visit there each day. The service users enjoy their time interacting with each other and staff before heading home to their families each evening.