Offaly Wheelchair Association centre provides invaluable service to people with disabilities

Just some of the comments from members of the Offaly branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association who congregate on a weekly basis at the group's centre in Ballinagar.

The state of the art centre, located on the main Tullamore to Ballinagar road on the outskirts of the village, provides a host of invaluable services to IWA members scattered throughout the county.

When the Tribune visited the centre on a Wednesday morning recently we found people from the south and west of the county enjoying a chat, good food and even dancing to the sounds of talented IWA volunteer, Dolores Casey.

Richard Ross, the IWA's Service Co-ordinator at the Ballinagar centre, said two buses ferry members from across the county for get togethers from Monday to Thursday.

“Around 80 per cent of our members are collected by ourselves with a few making their own way to Ballinagar,” explained Richard.

He added that the days run from 10.30am to 3.30pm and people from different areas of the county meet each day.

“We cover most of Offaly over the different days, as far as Crinkle, Edenderry, Cloghan, Rhode, Clara and everywhere in between,” outlined Richard.

A total of 38 members normally attend weekly with about half coming one day and the other half attending on two days.

Explained Richard: “It is basically a social model of service for people with disabilities - about 30pc of our members are wheelchair users”

In total there are seven core staff working at the centre, six of whom are part -time.

Outlined Richard: “We also have a CE Scheme with five participants on it at present.  We have a number of vacancies on the CE Scheme so if anyway reading this is eligible please contact us.”

While at the Ballinagar centre members enjoy tea/ coffee/ bread/ toast on arrival and a hot dinner later in the day.

Various programmes - art and crafts, bingo, boccia, knitting, cards, board games etc – take place during the course of the days.

Tutors are occasionally provided by Laois Offaly Education Training Board for more educational courses.

The centre recently hosted a six week healthy eating course facilitated by Offaly Local Development.

Added Richard: “We also work closely with Offaly Sports Partnership. In particular they organise a Boccia League every year between the centre and Banagher College, which takes place over a number of weeks in the school. We bring down three teams of three and the Transition Years play against us. The TY’s do everything from setting up the courts, refereeing the matches and recording the scores. They even serve tea and biscuits to the members before we leave. Every year I am amazed at the integration between the TY’s and members. It is such a positive event for disability awareness”

The centre is holding a Garden Plants and Craft Sale as well as a Coffee Morning on  Tuesday May 28th  from 11am – 2pm.

“Hopefully we will get a good number of people to visit on the day to see what we do,” said Richard extending an open invitation to call.

“As part of the event we are having a Wool Takeover, where various objects will be covered in wool. Members and staff are busy knitting and crocheting at the moment for the project.”

“During the summer we do some day trips to places like Dublin Zoo, Beyond the Trees in Wicklow, and boat trips on the Shannon,” outlined richard.

Durrow resident, Alison McEvoy, has found the centre an invaluable resource to her since she was involved in a serious car accident in 2019.

She said the caring, helpful staff and manager, are all genuinely delivering a “person-centred” service.

“We have visited many local places with the IWA staff during the past twelve months, including in Tullamore - Esker Arts Centre, Cosmic Bowl and the Tullamore Court Hotel for Nathan Carter concert,” outlined Alison.

She also enjoys other local activities including the Viking cruise ship on the Shannon and boccia tournaments in Mucklagh Community Centre, Banagher College and Keenagh IWA, Longford.

Trips further afield which Alison has travelled on include Dublin Zoo, Avondale Tree Walk, Wicklow, Liffey Valley Shopping Centre for Christmas shopping and Athlone Springs Hotel for Christmas party

She also takes part in the classes and activities in the centre including music and dancing, ''Tiffany's Beauty Parlour", healthy eating and cooking, creative writing, a skincare course, arts and crafts and “trishaw' bike rides

Alison said the beautiful grounds at the centre have sensory, flower and vegetable gardens for outside activities in good weather.

She continued: “It's a life-changing and life-enhancing service for many of us and cannot be praised enough.”

Frank Guinan, from Ferbane, comes to the centre every Wednesday for what he terms “a great bit of craic” with a “great old crew”.

Crinkle resident, John Milne, said the social side of the centre “is very positive” and he enjoys taking part in the various activities on Wednesdays.

Petrina Slattery, from Ballinagar, the second in command at the centre, said musical bingo had commenced there a few weeks ago and was proving very successful

The IWA centre is located at Toberlaheen, just outside Ballinagar (R35 NX09), and can be contacted at 057 9350122.