Down Syndrome Ireland's Kildare branch seeking new premises

The Kildare branch of Down Syndrome Ireland is seeking a new premises.

The branch, which is run by a committee of volunteer parents under the governance of Down Syndrome Ireland, said that from 2015, it moved its Adult Education Program into its current prefab on the Piper's Hill Campus in Naas.

Services provided by the branch at its campus include: Parentlink, Early Development Groups for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, Speech and Language Therapy for all age groups, Information Workshops for families and professionals, Touch Type Read and Spell classes and Adult Education classes, as well as a wide variety of Social Activities.

Programmes currently provided include: two Early Development Groups, Speech and Language Therapy (including Individual and Group sessions) three days/week and storage of SLT resources and client files.

Explaining the branch's situation, Gráinne Gorey, the Secretary and Adult Program Coordinator for the branch, said: "A second prefab became available in 2018 and the branch applied for its use. 

"We are extremely grateful to the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) for facilitating us there to date."

However, Ms Gorey said that in December 2021, the branch received notice that the KWETB need to remove these prefabs for health and safety reasons around the current schools on campus.

"This has been extended until June 2023. Again, we are grateful to be KWETB for allowing us the use of these portacabins."

The main Speech and Language Therapy area in the branch's current premises

She continued: "Before moving into Piper's Hill, we were in the private rental market and it was a huge strain on the branch finances and fundraising, although our landlords were very accommodating.

"It was then decided, by the committee, that this situation would not be sustainable going into the future as it would seriously impact on our capacity to provide support for our members."

Ms Gorey also said that, because they support families throughout the county of Kildare and West Wicklow, the branch is seeking a location central in the county, such as Naas or Sallins.

She explained: "It would also be ideal if it was on a public transport route as many of our young adults can travel independently and currently arrive by bus/train to our horticulture project in Sallins.

"We are now seeking temporary accommodation from next June 2023 for a period of two years while we fundraise and build our forever home."

In addition, she pointed out that the branch's Chairperson, Cassandra Ryan, recently spoke to Kildare FM Radio to highlight their situation.

Ms Gorey added: "Some of the supports that we provide are not readily available within the mainstream sectors and, as an organisation of volunteer parents, we work very hard to fill the void on behalf of our members.

A prefab at the current premises, which is used for adult education classes.

The Kildare branch of Down Syndrome Ireland was founded in 1985 and supports over 243 members and their families across Kildare and West Wicklow.

It's funding sources include fundraising, donations from families, course contributions from members and grant applications.

Any funds raised in Kildare for the branch stays in Kildare, and is used for the benefit of it's members in Kildare and West Wicklow.

Further information about the branch can be found by clicking here.