A new community centre in Loughrea for young adults with disabilities (a shared facility between Irish Wheelchair Association and Corlann ) has been officially opened, marking the end of a three-year project.
In recent years, IWA’s Loughrea Young Adult Service and Corlann West Services for Young Adults were based in temporary facilities in the area but needed more space for their groups.
IWA and Corlann worked together to secure the new facility from a local developer to provide the best service for their members.
Both services provide a Monday to Friday programme, funded by the HSE, for young adults as they progress from secondary school into further education, career development or adult services.
Now, young adults with disabilities in east Galway can continue their IWA and Corlann programmes in a new fully accessible space located in Loughrea Shopping Centre on the Athenry Road.
Lauren Daly has been a member of IWA’s School Leavers Service in Loughrea for four years and is really enjoying the new facility.
Lauren has had a difficult few years with seizures and ongoing health issues so she really values being able to come to the centre every day. “I love all the friends I have made here” she says. “The new centre here is really great.”
The co-location of both services on the same premises means much more communal space for the young people who attend each week.
Noah Curley also a member of the IWA School Leavers Service spoke at the opening and thanked the IWA staff for their support “The staff encourage and help build our self-confidence all the time.
"There is always fun and laughter and a lot of the time, cake! I feel I really developed my social skills since joining and I’ve had so many firsts.... I had my first disco, my first concert, even a debs ball, but most of all I am grateful for the friendships I have formed."
Patrick Mir, Team Leader with Corlann ‘ConneXions’, Loughrea spoke at the opening: "This new Centre represents far more than just a building. It provides a welcoming base where young adults can build confidence, make independent choices and pursue their own goals and aspirations.
"Through personalized supports, we work alongside each individual to develop life skills, access further education and employment opportunities, strengthen community connections and achieve greater independence.
"The shared facility with the IWA creates even more opportunities for young adults to learn, grow and participate as active and valued members of their local communities while receiving the support they need to realize their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.”
This Loughrea collaboration between Corlann and IWA will see both HSE-funded services operate independently but also offer opportunities to collaborate and share resources when opportunities arise; for example, with visiting external trainers.
According to both organisations, this hub has also enabled them to build strong connections within the wider community where they can invite other local organisations and services to join activities and events, creating opportunities for inclusion in the local community.
