1. What is Community Facilitation? It is a confidential person centred service which is in existence since 2001 in the Castlebar Area. It is a confidential person centred service which is in existence since 2001 in the Castlebar Area. We provide support to adults living independently in the community and also support people who are moving towards independent living. We provide support to adults living independently in the community and also support people who are moving towards independent living. People availing of Community Facilitation are offered an individualised, positive, original & innovative service. People availing of Community Facilitation are offered an individualised, positive, original & innovative service.

2. What we do Medicals Medicals Advocacy Advocacy Fundraising Fundraising Employment skills Employment skills Sourcing of jobs Sourcing of jobs Personal Assistants provide coaching in the following areas Home management Home management Hygiene Hygiene Cooking skills Cooking skills Shopping Shopping I.P.s I.P.s Named Staff Named Staff Supervision Supervision Networking Networking Group Work Group Work Housing Housing Information Gathering Information Gathering Counselling Counselling Budgeting Budgeting Education Education Benefits Benefits

3. Focus Areas Personal Safety Social Inclusion Relationships Childcare Rights Education Bereavement Assertiveness Entitlements Abuse Personal Hygiene Health Employment Loneliness Isolation Poverty Suicide prevention Personal Finance Friendships Anger Management Legal Issues Depression

4. Employment Employed 12 Seeking Employment 2 Training 3 Work Experience 0 Sheltered Employment 1 Full Time Mum 0 Not seeking Employment 0 Living Situation Own homes 0 Renting privately 11 Living at home 5 Home Sharing 2 Council apartments/houses 0 Other 0 18 People 12 women 6 men Age 19 - 60 Employment Employed 13 Seeking Employment 8 Training 5 Work Experience 1 Sheltered Employment 1 Full Time Mum 2 Not Seeking Employment 5 Living Situation Own homes 4 Renting Privately 15 Living at home 3 Home Sharing 0 Council apartments/houses 15 Other 1 35 People 25 women 10 men Age 21 - 63 HOW THE SERVICE HAS GROWN?

5. How we work with people Individual contact Individual contact Group Work Group Work

6. Liaising with other Agencies Considering the variety of issues that are dealt with on a daily basis, good working relationships with other agencies is vital. Consultant Psychiatrist for Learning Disability Community Psychiatric Nurse Castlebar Counselling & Psychotherapy centre Family Centre National Counselling Service G.P.s/Dentists/Opticians Mayo County Council Castlebar Town Council RAS Landlords Gardai Probation Services Solicitors Redress Board Health Board Executive Social Work / Community Welfare Officer / Public Health Nurse / Hospital Clinics Aras Attracta Addiction Centres Social Services Centre ISPCC Neighbourhood Youth Project Work Web West St. Vincent de Paul Meals on Wheels Citizens Information Centre Social Welfare Department National Learning Network Multi-cultural Agencies Educational Training Employers

7. Changing Responses Sexuality – individuals have identified the area of sexuality as very important for them. We enable people to address areas such as sexual orientation, intimate relationships, contraception, sexually transmitted infections and other such areas that they request information on. This is done on an individual basis and also in group work. Sexuality – individuals have identified the area of sexuality as very important for them. We enable people to address areas such as sexual orientation, intimate relationships, contraception, sexually transmitted infections and other such areas that they request information on. This is done on an individual basis and also in group work. EXPECTATIONS Relationships Engagements Marriage Children

8. Addictions – alcohol addiction is an area that has come to the fore in recent times. Getting an addiction counsellor or place in a treatment centre can prove difficult as the person may require extra supports that may not be available, i.e., literacy skills. Vulnerability, personal safety and health are also areas for concerns when dealing with addictions. Binge drinking and vulnerability around it, i.e., rape, abuse, physical assault, psychological confusion. Addictions – alcohol addiction is an area that has come to the fore in recent times. Getting an addiction counsellor or place in a treatment centre can prove difficult as the person may require extra supports that may not be available, i.e., literacy skills. Vulnerability, personal safety and health are also areas for concerns when dealing with addictions. Binge drinking and vulnerability around it, i.e., rape, abuse, physical assault, psychological confusion.

9. Housing – the area of housing has always remained high on the list and continues to do so. We have developed a good working relationship with Mayo County Council and Castlebar Town Council. Currently there are 15 people who have apartments / houses provided by the Council and we will have a further 8 apartments in a new development which should be completed by March 2009. We also have a Training Flat which is used by people wishing to try out independent living for themselves. Housing – the area of housing has always remained high on the list and continues to do so. We have developed a good working relationship with Mayo County Council and Castlebar Town Council. Currently there are 15 people who have apartments / houses provided by the Council and we will have a further 8 apartments in a new development which should be completed by March 2009. We also have a Training Flat which is used by people wishing to try out independent living for themselves.

10. Parenting Skills –We work alongside the Mothers and families together with other agencies (Social Work Department of HSE, NYP & ISPCC) to provide them with the necessary skills to create a loving, caring and happy home environment in which the child can grown up & feel safe in. We also support Mothers and families to deal with any difficulties, responsibilities and challenges that may arise. Parenting Skills –We work alongside the Mothers and families together with other agencies (Social Work Department of HSE, NYP & ISPCC) to provide them with the necessary skills to create a loving, caring and happy home environment in which the child can grown up & feel safe in. We also support Mothers and families to deal with any difficulties, responsibilities and challenges that may arise.

11. Conflict Resolution –involves acting as a mediator between individuals who may experience communication difficulties. It also involves working with the Gardai & Probation services to ensure that people adhere to directives given to them by both the Gardai and Court systems. Conflict Resolution –involves acting as a mediator between individuals who may experience communication difficulties. It also involves working with the Gardai & Probation services to ensure that people adhere to directives given to them by both the Gardai and Court systems.

12. Travel – Individuals love to explore places theyve never been. Small groups have experienced & visited Lanazorte, Spain, Portugal, France, Majorca, Scotland, England, Dublin, Donegal, Galway, Clare & Kerry. This has expanded to couples and groups of friends travelling for day trips, weekends away, etc. Travel – Individuals love to explore places theyve never been. Small groups have experienced & visited Lanazorte, Spain, Portugal, France, Majorca, Scotland, England, Dublin, Donegal, Galway, Clare & Kerry. This has expanded to couples and groups of friends travelling for day trips, weekends away, etc.

13. Mental Health – individuals experience mental health issues on a daily basis including Depression Family Difficulties Loneliness Bereavement Suicidal feelingsRole in society

14. What the Drop-In offers Fire Training Smoke Alarms Extinguishers Emergency Services Social Relationships Friendships Celebrating Socialising Information Sharing Rights Entitlements Breaks Away Foreign Trips Short breaks in Ireland Day Trips Group Work Healthy Living Safety Self Esteem Assertiveness Relationships Sexuality Therapeutic Activities Relaxation Art Drama Mime Clay Work Music Yoga Mens Group Health Social Opportunities Sexuality Social Events Concerts / Plays Birthdays Housewarming Engagements parties Self Advocacy Supporting committee, Access information, source speakers, etc. Safety in the Community Talks by relevant personnel Self Defence Personal Alarms Taxis vetted Safe Sex Confidential Trusting Non-judgemental Safe Supportive Friendly Social Event Calendar 3 monthly basis Organised by Group The idea is that people use the Drop-In as a spring board to access the community

15. Inclusion in the Community Living 31 people living in the community Employment Dunnes, Centra, Homebase, Supervalu, Parsons, McDonalds, Upper Crust, Welcome Inn Bowling Alley Education Computers, Art, English, Literacy Clubs / Organisations Folk Choir, Prayer Group, Man U Supporters Club, Writers Group, Art Group, Self Defence, Voluntary Work Age Action Personal Assistants Personal Shopper Meals on Wheels Celebrations Birthdays Christmas Christenings Engagements Easter Hobbies Gym, Poetry, Drama, Swimming, Drumming, Shopping.