As we find ourselves in September and enjoying the last few sunny days of summer, it‘s a busy time of year for most of us! This is especially true for children who have returned to school. While it is an exciting time for children to see their friends again, it is also a time to think about how we may adapt to challenges and plan for the upcoming autumn.
You may have seen some of the changes we have made in our Enable Ireland services and buildings. Most of our Children’s Service Centres are now re-opened and staff are providing some appointments on site following Public Health and HSE guidance, in addition to continuing to provide support via video and telephone. Our priority is to offer some services while ensuring a safe environment for everyone. We continue to support adult service users with different models of service delivery in line with public health guidance, including community & respite supports and our virtual service which is now rolled out nationally. Our day services for adults are open, offering some services on site with reduced numbers of adults attending per day and this is complimented by the virtual service. Our residential services remained open throughout and we continued to provide emergency respite and home support services in the community. We are now planning for further opening of respite in line with recent guidance issued by HSE.
Our Life With No Limits campaign returns from 21st-30th September. Through media and social media, the campaign provides a platform for children and adults with disabilities to talk about how they live their lives with no limits, while raising much needed funds to support our work. Cillian McSweeney is one of our Life With No Limits Champions this year. Cillian is a talented songwriter and a music lover. He plays and writes music using assistive technology on his computer, you can read more about Cillian’s story here. You can support the campaign by picking up some of our Life With No Limits merchandise in your local Enable Ireland charity shop!
As September draws to a close and the weather changes by the day, it’s always good to have a wooly jumper on hand! While rummaging through your wardrobe to get out the warmer clothes, you may spot a pair of heels or a suit jacket that you haven’t worn in years. Now is a perfect time to de-clutter and clear out quality items that are sitting around unworn. Why not declutter whilst supporting Enable Ireland? It’s as easy as donating a bag of quality clothing into your local TK Maxx store as part of their Give Up Clothes For Good campaign. Each bag can be worth up to €20 for Enable Ireland which all goes towards the running of local services and therapy supports. You can also pick up a specially designed notebook in your local TK Maxx or Homesense, with quotes inspired by Enable Ireland service users past and present. Proceeds from the sale of these notebooks goes towards supporting Enable Ireland’s services.
We’re also really excited to share two upcoming virtual events this autumn. Our first, an online Sale of New & Preloved Jewellery Eventtakes place from 2nd – 9th November. But we need your help with this… We are asking for donations of good quality, fine jewellery or high-end, costume jewellery and we are also welcoming donations of broken items made of 9ct, 18ct, white gold or platinum as these can be repaired or resold. Donations of items must be received by 16th October for inclusion in the sale which will take place from 2nd – 9th November 2020, just in time for the festive gift season. Please send your jewellery items to Enable Ireland, Lavanagh Centre, Curraheen, Cork and for more information please phone the fundraising team on 087 6868 333.
On 16th November we are launching a Wild Atlantic Way Online Sale of Art, the sale features pieces from renowned artists along our shores who have created stunning pieces inspired by the rugged west coast. Both events will be launched online and offer a great chance to buy a unique and meaningful gift for someone this festive season.
Finally, I want to wish you all a great autumn. Thank you for being a part of our Friends community, I’m delighted to be able to share Enable Ireland news with you and I would also love to hear from you so don’t be shy and contact us here in the office anytime on our friends@enableireland.ie email or phone 018727155.
I will be in touch again before Christmas with the latest news for your area and nationally. In the meantime, I hope everyone is keeping safe and well.
Thank you and take care,
Dónal Kitt National Fundraising Manager Enable Ireland
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To read our Data Protection Notice, which outlines everything you need to know about how we collect, use, store and share any information belonging to you, please click here https://www.enableireland.ie/privacy-policy.
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