Coffee morning for new Longford IWA service

Anna McDonnell, the Service Coordinator of the Irish Wheelchair Association Longford School Leavers programme explained the purpose behind the day: “The coffee morning was very informal. The service is only open in the Axis Centre since September.

"It was an opportunity to get the families in and show what we have been doing over the last few months. It also promoted the work that we do as part of the School Leavers Service.”

Anna says the IWA aim to undertake a formal opening soon: “We hope to have a proper opening in the New Year. I'm only in the role of services co-ordinator for three weeks so it was a chance to give families an opportunity to meet me. The coffee morning also allowed us raise fund to buy some things for the office.”

The School Leavers Programme provides students with vital life-enhancing skills which enable people with disabilities to live a more independent life. This is just one of the broad range of vital services that the Irish Wheelchair Association is providing across the country.

The school leavers service, which works with young people with disabilities to build confidence. In 2021 IWA provided 83,324 days of community services for 2,587 people across the country.

Anna says the service is very much client focused: “In Longford we assist young people between 18 and 30. the service promotes independence. The aim is to provide access to community integration.

This is done through the provision of courses. We liaise with the local Education and Training Board (ETB) on those courses. It prepares the participants to go on to college or work. Each of our clients have individual goals and we help them to achieve those goals.”

“At present we cater for eight service users from all across the county. It is all new, but we hope to expand the service depending on demand. We are taking every day as it comes,” she told the Leader.