An Inspired idea to keep connected
THANKS to donations from people and businesses across the county, a group of around 50 people with intellectual disabilities are being kept connected during the COVID-19 crisis.
The group – who hail from all over the county – are all member’s of ‘Inspired’, the voluntary service that provides supports including life-long learning; school transition programmes and community engagement initiatives to young people and adults with various intellectual disabilities.
Normally, Inspired run their weekly support services and classes from their premises in Tralee but since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic they – like many other charities – have been forced to close their facility.
The closure of Inspired’s Tralee centre led to fears that its users and their families would be placed under tremendous stress and anxiety due to the isolation of the lock-down.
Technology was seen as the key to solving the problem and the Inspired team immediately set about getting the service members connected online.
While some users had internet access and laptops, computers or iPads, many did not and Inspired’s supply of 12 iPads was quickly exhausted with the devices delivered to those most in need. In order to get iPads for their other members, Inspired set up a Gofundme page seeking help from the public.
Donations came thick and fast with the public and many businesses quick to support the cause.
Among the businesses and groups to help out were The Castle Bar and its customers, and companies including Aspen Grove Solutions; JRI America and the Kerry ETB. Some of the funds have been used to buy new iPads which this week were delivered to various Inspired members around the county.
Inspired has also used some of the funding to extend their ‘Cocoon and Connect-Ability’ online programme which allows the Inspired users to continue their courses and activities during the lockdown.
Cocoon and Connect-Abilty has proved extremely successful to date and Inspired is working closely with Down Syndrome Kerry and a number of special needs schools in the county, with a view to providing to the online programme to their students and members.
Inspired participant Stephen Buckley explained what the service means to him.
“This new programme gives me a reason to get up and get dressed every morning, I’m so delighted to see everyone and its not so lonely anymore,” he said.
Inspired Chairman Donie O’Keffee said the programme has been a huge success.
“We were absolutely thrilled to see participants had logged on successfully and were totally engaged in the programme. My daughter Anna loves going to Inspired and was very disheartened when she realised she wouldn’t see her friends, but this has certainly made life easier for all of us. We were shocked to see how she adapted so quickly and grasped the concept,” he said.
Anyone interested in donating can do so by visiting the “Inspired Ttralee” Facebook page or going to their Go Fund Me page at www.gofundme.com/f/help-inspired-raise-funds-for-connectability.