For parents and carers of those with Down Syndrome, one of the essential needs in securing a fulfilling life for their loved ones is ensuring they can make connections within their community and build relationships. Even a few hours getting in touch with nature through gardening in the company of others, or taking part in an arts and craft class, can boost their confidence and wellbeing.
“Ideally, if they have a couple of days of study, a couple of days of meaningful work, and some social interaction, it gives them a purpose to live for,” says Mark McManus, chairman of Down Syndrome Ireland Laois Branch.
The group has been operating in Laois since 1995, with Mark acting as chairman for almost two years with ten members currently on the committee. Mark explains that the service’s users are typically registered by their parents with Down Syndrome Ireland, with an option on the website to select whatever local branch best suits.
“We would have about 45 members from birth right through. Typically, when they get older and their parents pass on, they go into daycare centres or residential care and their engagement becomes less, so that’s something we’re trying to reverse now,” he says.
In August of last year, the group linked in with Laois Partnership Company, who supported the service users with space in the allotments in O’Moore Place, Portlaoise, as part of a four-week therapeutic gardening and arts programme, which was delivered by The Women’s Shed Portlaoise. The materials and tutor costs were funded by the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP), with further support provided to enable the group to purchase four bespoke polytunnels. The group also has a designated space in the main polytunnel where they are currently growing shamrocks for their annual fundraiser.
As a voluntary organisation, Down Syndrome Ireland receives only around 20% of its funding through government grant, with the rest generated through fundraising. Mark explains that the branch’s flagship fundraiser takes place a couple of weeks before St Patrick’s Day when they sell little pots of shamrock.
“Traditionally, they would have been bought from a company in Kerry that planted them, but this year we’ve planted our own. It’s not a huge amount, just something to get the members involved, and we’re still going to purchase some as well. We sell about 2,000 pots in Laois,” says Mark, adding that the group will be in Laois Shopping Centre on the Friday and Saturday before St Patrick’s Day.
The Down Syndrome Ireland Laois Branch is staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers, who are all working and caring for someone with a disability. As many people with Down Syndrome do not have a social outlet, Mark explains that the local branch provides many social events throughout the year, such as outings to the Portlaoise panto, attendance at the St Patrick’s Day parade and participation in World Down Syndrome Day on 21st March, summer camps, a Halloween outing, and a Christmas party.
The group also engages on a weekly basis with LOETB, with several members attending the Literacy and Technology Hands-On programme in Treo Nua. In addition, speech and language therapists work with members from when they are babies though to adulthood, something that Mark says is a major benefit as many people with Down Syndrome can unfortunately lose their English skills through lack of use.
“The big problem for people with Down Syndrome is that they’re treated well through school, but then they finish and it’s all over. A lot of them have regressed from the age of 20 onwards because they have no outlet. What we’re trying to create is a fuller life for those people,” says Mark.
If you would like more information about the Down Syndrome Ireland Laois Branch, contact 086 0491633 or check out the national website at Down Syndrome Ireland