Ladies` Circle donation helps develop sensory room in Trim
A NEW sensory room at the Enable Ireland Early Service, Trim, was officially opened by Minister Noel Dempsey last Wednesday.
This new facility has been made possible thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Ladies Circle, Trim, who donated more than €40,000 from their gala summer ball to develop the sensory room. Enable Ireland said it was indebted to the Ladies` Circle for their fundraising efforts.
This year`s Ladies Circle gala ball was held for the Children of Meath and was hosted in the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, in May. The organisers divided the proceeds from the ball between two organisations, Enable Ireland and the ISPCC.
Enable Ireland used the funding to install a sensory integration therapy room, in the Enable centre which is located in St Joseph`s Hospital complex in Trim. Families and staff now have access to a state-of-the-art facility which will benefit children accessing the services.
Enable Ireland, in partnership with the Health Service Executive North-East, provides early intervention services to children in Meath aged from birth to six years who have a range of developmental delay or disabilities, including physical, sensory, learning disabilities, autism and specific language impairment.
At the opening, Minister Noel Dempsey recognised the excellent service which Enable provides, and said that Meath was very fortunate to recently have had an expansion in early services through the partnership arrangement between Enable Ireland and the HSE.
He said: "€40,969 was raised by the Ladies` Circle, Trim, for this new therapy room aimed at children with special needs in Meath. The fundraising work regularly carried out by the Ladies` Circle in Trim is legendary in this county and I know that Enable Ireland in Meath were very grateful recipients of their generosity this time around. It is fantastic to have such civic-minded individuals in our county who focus on fundraising for very worthwhile causes. Well done to the Ladies` Circle for their hard work and generosity."
The minister went on: "Enable Ireland in Meath provides an excellent service to this county and I know that many families depend on the top-class services provided by its healthcare professionals on a daily basis. The work of the staff of Enable Ireland makes an enormous difference to the quality of life of thousands of people around the country. I am delighted that the Ladies` Circle here in Trim was able to join with Enable Ireland to get this therapy room up and running."
The new sensory integration therapy room is designed to enhance the senses and hand/eye co-ordination, language development and relaxation skills of local children who have sensory impairment or neurological challenges. "I am certain that, through the hard work and dedication of psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other health care providers, that the children who will regularly use this room will benefit greatly from it," said Mr Dempsey. "From my time as a teacher and former Minister for Education, I know the importance of providing active support to our most vulnerable children. I know how much the parents of children with special needs here in Meath will welcome this new resource."
Grainne Potterton, chairperson of the Ladies` Circle, presented a cheque for €40,969 to Mary Fox, director of services with Enable Ireland North-East, and a cheque for a similar amount was presented to the ISPCC Teentext service.
The official opening of the sensory room was attended by parents, staff from Enable, representatives from the HSE and members of the Ladies` Circle in Trim.
Mary Fox acknowledged the Ladies` Circle donation and stressed how much this facility has been long awaited by staff and families. She also acknowledged the dedication and commitment of the team which provides early services in Enable throughout County Meath. Services are now provided to 300 children and their families from areas like Trim, Navan, Dunshaughlin and Kells.
