Let the children play – €210,000 investment for children with disabilities in Inishowen
Children with disabilities in Inishowen are getting the support they deserve with a new investment of €210,000 for social enterprise Spórt agus Spraoi.
The new funding from the Department of Health will significantly increase the organisation’s ability to support children with disabilities, according to CEO Helen Nolan.
‘It will allow us to expand our services and provide even more support to the children and families who rely on us’ she said following a meeting with Minister Anne Rabbitte who was instrumental in securing the funding for them.
Last year the award-winning social enterprise whose services include respite, adaptive sports, art and music therapy, sensory experiences, horse-riding, swimming, and social clubs helped 97 children and young people in the area. In particular their initiative ‘Alternative Respite’ programme offers vital respite services to families.
The new funding will enable them to employ a full-time Disability and Inclusion Lead, who will be dedicated to supporting all families who need the services.’ This new role will be pivotal in coordinating services, liaising with the HSE, and ensuring that the unique needs of each child are met with tailored support and activities’ Ms Nolan added.
The funding is part of an overall allocation of €3.6 million for disability services across Donegal. Other organisations to benefit include No Barriers Foundation receiving the lion’s share of €3.1 million, the Finn Valley Leisure Centre is getting €34,000, while €302,000 is going to Health Hub Professionals NI.
The Minister of State at the Department of Health and at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Anne Rabbitte, pictured with the Head of Service Disability HSE Edel Quinn, Spraoi agus Spórt Director, Bríd McGonagle, and Spraoi agus Spórt CEO, Helen Nolan.