“It’s looking at the whole of someone’s life that’s important’’

NORA Brosnan is Residential Programme Manager and is based in St. Mary of the Angels, Beaufort, since it’s amalgamation with St. John of God Services in 2005. There is a long history of both organisations working together over many years prior to 2005 and the amalgamation marked a very natural progression. The similarities in ethos and values of both organisations are supported in this merger.

One of the challenges in rural counties is finding services in local areas. St. John of God Services have established bases across the county, and St. Mary of the Angels recognised the need to bring services to people with new developments in both Cahersiveen and Listowel which were developed by the Franciscan Sisters of the Divine Motherhood. This work has continued to evolve over the years to a point where an extensive network of services is now available for both children and young adults across the county.

Nora explained: “there is a great spirit and determination at St. Mary of the Angels where the main focus is the people we support.”

“Residential services are about striving to support people to have a high quality of life, reflective of their interests. Life is to live and enjoy,” Nora said.

The commitment to residents is very evident and there is an ongoing focus on improving the quality of activities available with continuous enhancement to the campus. Nora added: “There is no house on the grounds of St. Mary of the Angels where significant work hasn’t been completed since 2005. HIQA is the body responsible for the registration of residential services for people with disabilities since 2013. All of our community residential services have reached compliance and have been registered since 2017.”

Nora concluded: ‘’St. Mary’s is very much a campus based service and the challenges we face in reaching and maintaining the required level of compliance with regulation is significant. It is also very fitting in the year that we celebrate our 50th anniversary that HIQA is now proposing St. Mary of the Angels for registration which will result in all centres in Kerry being registered. We are very proud of this significant achievement.’’

Angela with Hannah Cahillane, Denis Galvin and Patrick Perryman at St Clare’s in St Mary’s of the Angels Beaufort.

Denis Galvin, Hazel O’Connor, Lisa Looney (back) Maura Mannix, Maura Spillane, Patricia Cahill and Breda Healy in Oaktree at St Mary of the Angels, Beaufort.