St. Anthony’s Unit - Day Care Services

St. Anthony’s Unit was set up in 1981 as a day activity centre to cater for people with moderate intellectual disabilities. Today the unit provides a day service to 40 adults. Within the unit they strive to encourage service users to achieve independence in a variety of areas by providing appropriate training and support. A holistic, person centered service is provided. Each individuals needs are identified through assessment and consultation and the service then strives to provide appropriate supports to enable the individual to acquire new skills and increased independence. An enormous emphasis is placed on encouraging and developing community presence and participation.

Service users avail of a number of facilities / amenities within the community including the local swimming pool, the library, GP, dentist, local shops and restaurants as well as local and national attractions and events. Following assessment, service users graduate from school to St. Anthony’s Unit. This assessment process involves the individual, their parents/guardians, schoolteacher, Liaison Nurse Counsellor and other members of the multi-disciplinary team. A period of “work experience” is always encouraged to allow for a smooth transition to take place. This helps the person to become familiar with the new surroundings and also provides staff with an opportunity to get to know the individual and identify any additional resources which may be required.

A variety of activities are available during the day including:
	literacy and numeracy skills
	domestic skills
	independent living skills
	arts and crafts
	computer skills
	horse riding
	gardening

Computers are used to support Augmentative Communication Techniques that the service users have. One such system is “Boardmaker” which is a communication technique which involves communication using pictures and symbols. Other communication systems used in the unit include Lámh and PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). Each of these is essential in assisting the individual in communicating effectively to the best of their ability. The staff work in conjunction with other members of the Multi-disciplinary team in providing a holistic quality service. Members of this team include Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Physiotherapists, Liaison Nurse Counsellors and Social Workers.

Sport

There is an enormous involvement in sports and Special Olympics within the unit. Swimming, horse riding, bowling, bocce, basketball, golf, table tennis, athletics and motor activities are some of the sports that clients partake in. In February 2007 a number of clients took part in the South Leinster Area Bowling finals in Carlow. The competitors had engaged in a number of training sessions prior to the competition.

In March 2007 9 competitors attended the Indoor Games which took place in UCD and took part in Bean Bag Throw, Penalty Accuracy and Ball Kick competitions. In May 2007 15 athletes participated in the finals of the South Leinster Area Games in Kilkenny. They took part in events such as the 200m and 100m run and the 25m walk.

St. Anthony’s Outings

Participating in outings is an element of the program which appeals to everyone. Service Users are encouraged to choose outings and in the past day trips have taken place to The Japanese Gardens, Wicklow Gaol, The Bannow/Rathangan Show, the Pantomime in the Gaiety and Dublin Zoo. In September 2006 a group of 4 service users and 3 staff embarked on a camping trip to Wexford. In May 2007 a group of 6 people attended a performance of “Coppelia”, by the European Ballet in St. Michaels Theatre in New Ross. This had been a lifelong ambition of one of the ladies and meeting the ballerinas for a photo call after the performance topped off the night.

St. Anthony’s Unit hopes to continue to enhance the life experiences of their service users by embarking on these and other such outings in the future. Thanks to a fund raising venture undertaken by a group of parents and friends the Unit has access to its own vehicle which enables us to travel away from home more easily.

Art Classes

In February 2006 St. Anthony’s received funding to run an Art Class for 10 clients over an eight week period. The clients were involved in every step of the project and following much deliberation it was agreed that they would undertake a mosaic project. The class proved to be a great success and two large mosaics and several individual pieces were completed. There also was an opportunity for them to work with other materials such as tie-dyed t-shirts. The group hopes to receive further funding to introduce a music or drama group in the near future.