In a pre-Christmas visit to the Marble City, popular TV and radio presenter Ryan Tubridy hosted his morning radio programme from Kilkenny’s Regent House.
Now home to Rehab’s new centre on William Street in the city, the refurbished building comprises a National Learning Network training centre, a RehabCare centre, and supported accommodation, providing a range of services to people with disabilities.
The opening happened on December 23, and followed a special broadcast of The Tubridy Show, live from the centre, on RTÉ Radio One.
The new state-of-the-art building, which was constructed on the site of the old Regent cinema, cost €7.35m to build and received funding from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Health Service Executive (HSE ), Atlantic Philanthropies and St John of God Sisters Trust.
A capital funding shortfall of €2.2m remains and, to coincide with the event, a new Regent House fundraising appeal has been launched. Members of the community are being asked to “Sponsor a Brick” from as little as €50 to support Rehab’s work. In addition, funds raised from two sponsored walks that took place in Gathabawn on St. Stephen’s Day will also go to support Regent House and the development agency, Bóthar.
Regent House incorporates RehabCare centre for 30 people with physical and intellectual disabilities, and mental health difficulties. The centre includes a resource centre and day service, offering various programmes such as independent living skills, personal development, community access, money management, IT skills, literacy, and numeracy. The service is funded by the HSE.
It also provides a National Learning Network training centre, offering support to 24 learners on its vocational and rehabilitative training programmes. The HSE-funded rehabilitative training programme aims to support people in progressing to further education, training and employment, while the FÁS-funded vocational training programme offers learners the opportunity to spend four days each week on placements with local employers.
There is also a supported accommodation service developed by the Newgrove Housing Association, and managed by RehabCare, comprising six purpose-built apartments for people with disabilities from the Kilkenny area. Residents also have access to an extensive rooftop terrace with beautiful views of Kilkenny city and its surrounds.
Angela Kerins, chief executive of Rehab, commented: “Rehab has been in Kilkenny since 1982, but this new flagship centre in William Street marks the coming together of a range of Rehab services in one new state-of-the-art facility. The project could not have happened without the tremendous support of various State agencies and generous donors to whom we are very grateful. Already the building has been receiving accolades, with the Irish Council for Social Housing awarding it the Community Housing Award for excellence in social housing and innovative design.
“All in all, 70 people will ultimately benefit from the services provided by Rehab in the centre, enabling more people than ever before from the Kilkenny area to explore new opportunities,” she concluded.
