Laois RehabCare appeal for work experience roles for service users
The Portlaoise service provides support to users with varying intellectual needs
Laois RehabCare has appealed to Portlaoise businesses to consider providing work experience for their service users.
The service provides person-centred support to individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities or for individuals with dual diagnosis.
"A lot of service users are always looking for work experience," explained Community Service Manager Deirdre Bailey.
"We're calling for any Portlaoise businesses who are willing to take them in for work experiences. It could be an hour, it could be two hours a week," she told the Leinster Express/Laois Live at a recent open day.
A number of service users are currently in work experience roles around Laois, including cafes and barbers in Portlaoise.
"I think that Portlaoise is very good to us, when we did recent fundraising whole community got behind us," Ms Bailey said.
Pictured: RehabCare Portlaoise, above Eurostar.
The service recently held an open day to the public on Thursday October 24.
Programme facilitator Aisling Meade explained the different features the service offers.
"We offer community based supports services for people with disabilities, dual diagnoses and mental health issues," she said.
"We cater for people aged 18 to 65 years, with multiple programme choices available, such as social skills in the community, circles programmes regarding relationships and boundaries, money management, arts and crafts and our community choir," she explained.
Pictured: Decorated for Halloween, the board shows a timetable of programmes for service users to choose from.
"We've had a great response to our open day," programme facilitator Emma McEvoy agreed.
"Across our three floors we have three services. We have the Dunamaise, which is predominately for school leavers and people with higher needs. The Triogue is for people who have moved out and gained their independence to be more community based. We focus on community inclusion and employment. Then we have a hub in Portarlington RehabCare," she said.
"We do so many activities and programmes, and we really focus on what each person wants," Ms McEvoy explained.
Pictured: The new kitchen, where service users practice safe meals to make at home.
The focus of this centre is to facilitate service users to participate meaningfully in their own communities in line with the HSE’s New Directions policy by providing person-centred support in social, community, independent living, education, employment and personal development activities.
For more information on Rehab Care Portlaoise, see here.