Ballyforan native Rachel Kelly has a hectic social life between attending her local gym, meeting friends for drinks, soccer training, and regular trips to the local Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone. Nothing out of the ordinary for a 23-year-old woman but the extraordinary thing is that Rachel is one of the first participants in StepIn, a unique supported living network for people with learning disabilities.
The pilot project is currently running in the Monksland area of South Roscommon.
StepIn is helping to open the door to independent living by offering an alternative to residing with family or residential group homes for people with mild to moderate learning disabilities. The model is the first of its kind in Ireland and it was piloted in Monksland in January 2011. It is based on a similar UK-based Keyring model of service. The programme was initiated by the Brothers of Charity, but it is run as a separate entity. Rachel who was born with an intellectual disability, is one of four current network members and she moved into her own two-bedroom apartment in Monksland last November. She is certainly embracing her newfound independence with great gusto and pride and her action-packed social calendar is testament to the success of the project. The youngest of five, Rachel moved out of the family home in Ballyforan last November and she resides in a two-bed apartment in Monksland during the week before returning home each weekend. “I have two brothers and two sisters and they had all moved out. I was the last one left at home so I wanted to get my own apartment too. I still go home every weekend and I bring my washing home,” laughed Rachel. With her new found independence, Rachel is enjoying an active social life.
She works one day a week in her local Londis store and regularly attends the gym in the nearby Athlone Springs Hotel where she often meets friends for a drink. Wednesdays are spent volunteering with Meals on Wheels in Athlone while soccer training is also on the agenda. Rachel also attends Open Doors rehabilitative training and day support service in Monksland which is run by the Brothers of Charity. This service works on a model of individualised service for people with an intellectual disability. Open Doors encourages and facilitates access to community-based amenities. Transport is available to bring Rachel to Open Doors or indeed any of her social outings but if the weather permits she usually walks.
The StepIn network is made up of 10 members, nine people with a disability and the tenth member is a supported living volunteer. Rachel is one of four members who are already living in their own homes in Monksland. The idea is that members are at the heart of the community, sharing their skills and talents for everyone’s benefit. The volunteer is like a good neighbour who will help out if difficulties arise. Because the volunteer lives in the community, they know what’s going on and is able to help members make links. It enables members to build real and lasting relationships in the community.
For more information on the StepIn network please contact Emily Walsh on (087 ) 2872418 or email [email protected].
