The RISE service at RehabCare Galway has recently received a new driving simulator, already proving to be of huge benefit to members of the service, equipping them with new skills and fostering confidence in their driving abilities.
RISE at RehabCare Galway is a service which provides support for a person to be more connected, active, and included in their community. Support is provided by the Community Support Workers, in both English and Irish Sign Language (ISL ).
Maja and Noah are members of RISE who are making regular use of the new driving simulator. Both use Irish Sign Language with the staff in RehabCare. Through an interpreter, Maja and Noah recently explained the impact of the new device.
Maja, who has attended RISE for five years, explained how she uses the driving simulator: “Independence and confidence is important to me. I am using the driving simulator to learn and practice my driving. I’m happy because I want to learn how to drive a real car, when the time comes.”
Noah from Galway has been attending RehabCare since 2022 said that the driving simulator helps them to build confidence to start learning to drive.
“It really helps to learn the skills through the programme. Before I started using the simulator, I had just passed my theory test, and then started using it.
“I’m doing driving lessons now. I felt great when it arrived to the centre, it was great to see it and to have that experience. The room that it’s in is very comfortable.”
Noah added: “We learn skills such as going around a roundabout; the process for turning, learning about the different pedals, changing the gears. It was confusing getting used to it at the start, and it was funny when we accidentally went over the grass.”
“It was a little difficult at the start when the simulator’s programme was talking, and three of us in the room who use ISL, we didn’t know what the programme was saying.
“But eventually I used my phone to translate the voice to text. From the experience with the simulator, I feel a lot calmer about driving. I’m getting more used to it, it was a great feeling”, added Noah.
Maja explained her experience of RehabCare over the years.
“I like it because staff can sign with me if I have a problem. We sign every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but if I need to, we can also video call.
“I like going to Ower Equestrian Centre in Galway. There are 50 horses there and I groom them, feed them, and see the lovely foals. I did art in GRETB, I was in Level 5 but teacher said go to Level 6 because I’m good at art. My next step is to look for a job.”
Noah expressed how: “In RehabCare, I like being involved in the group meetings, they are great. There are different opportunities that I like being involved in. There is a lot of different things we do in the service, and I think that’s what I like about it, the variety.”
The driving simulator was purchased thanks to local fundraising efforts at RehabCare Galway as well as a grant from the HSE National Lottery Grant Scheme. There was great excitement as the group hosting a launch event in February.
Maja told how: “The launch went well. Staff members Mervyn and Kim cut the red ribbon. We had tea, coffee and cake.”
“On the launch day, we had a ceremony, it was a great laugh, and a great day. There was a great atmosphere. Now, there are a lot of people using the driving simulator regularly, maybe 10 or more people,” Noah added.
