Services

Streetwise is a new training programme developed by the Choices Department in St John of God Carmona Services in association with An Garda Siochana. The programme aims to offer education and training to learners with very basic literacy skills regarding the interface between people in the community and the Gardai and law enforcement. Streetwise is delivered by a member of the Gardai (with additional support from service providers) in a community location for maximum impact.
Download the full leaflet (pdf)

Money Management Programme

A learning programme based on Money Management is being developed by members of the Choices department in conjunction with MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service). The need for such a programme has become apparent as many of our service users lack the confidence and knowledge to be independent with their own money. The programme will be delivered over a number of set sessions, each session will relate to a different aspect of money management e.g. budgeting, simulated ATM use, income and expenditure, saving, rights, money recognition exercises, and more. The programme will be designed around real life situations and will rely heavily on practical exercises. The course itself will be aimed at people with an intellectual disability who express the desire to be more independent with their own money. As the programme is being developed at the moment we hope that it will be launched later this year. Watch this space for updates.

The Training and Resource Centre

The centre is located in Patrick Street, Dun Laoghaire, and offers a three year training programme for adults with intellectual disability. The programme is tailored to support trainees to become more effective and independent in their daily lives. Trainees have the option to undertake a rehabilitative training programme designed to promote active community involvement and independent living. The core training module covers areas like self advocacy, independent living skills, community involvement, developing friendships and work experience. From these core modules, trainees in conjunction with a key worker identify specific training and personal goals which they hope to achieve. These goals form the individual training plan which is updated annually. Participants on the course are encouraged to achieve certification on completion of various FETAC modules.

Dalkey Education Centre

The centre supports people with intellectual disability by facilitating their entry to and participation in mainstream educational and vocational opportunities. The centre provides focussed personal, social and life skills education and training to enhance student’s quality of life in accordance with individual aspirations and ability. The centre also aims to promote accreditation of learning through certification within the National Framework of Qualifications. Those supported through the centre include six service users studying certificate course in contemporary living at the National Institute of Intellectual Disability in the Trinity College and also those attending FETAC training in the Dun Laoghaire VEC. The centre also provides social and recreational pursuits through facilitated day trips and sports and leisure activities.

Choices

The main focus of the programme is to respond to the needs and aspirations of service users in enhancing their quality of life and enabling them to achieve optimum success in their chosen pursuits in their local communities. The Choices programme offers a set of options to service users including: employment services, integrated adult education, learning support, recreational opportunities, support in personal development and self advocacy, health promotion and exploring relationships and friendship.
Download more information (pdf)

Lakelands

Carmona centre in Lakelands was started in January 2008 as a satellite centre to cater to service users in and around Stillorgan area. The centre aims at accessing local activities with a view to promote and reinforce participation in local community activities. The centre currently runs VEC training in literacy and numeracy. The centre also provides vocational training using FETAC module extending one full academic year. Taking the vocational training to fruition, the centre offers vocational placement and continued employment support to those in open employment. The centre also provides innovative leisure and recreational pursuits and socialisation opportunities like drama classes, and explorers group.

Learning about Friendships was launched in October 2008. The programme was developed by members of the Choices team in response to findings in the strategic plan. It was evident from these findings that many of our service users wanted to make more friends.It was also highlighted through Personal Outcome Measure interviews (POM’s) that service users wanted meaningful friendships but lacked the skills to form these friendships.

The programme itself is delivered over 12 weeks in a community setting. Delivering the programme in a community setting has proven to be a key element of the course as it has given the course more meaning to the service users participating.

The exercises and games have been designed as ice-breakers and to increase the energy levels in the sessions. All of the exercises and games promote enhancing the skills needed in developing and maintaining friendships. We have included some practical sessions as it is vitally important for participants to put into practice what they have learnt in the sessions and therefore compound the skills learnt in the group.

Download more information (pdf)