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MILLER’S MARATHON FOR REHAB | PARLIAMENTARY PANCAKE RACE | CAR WASH DAY | WIN TWO HOTEL BREAKS
Celebrate!
June 2008
Rehab Lotteries’ 20th anniversary
Rehab Recycle Goes Back to School!
New Computer Gaming Course
The Chaseley Trust’s Diamond Jubilee
NRAC’s Rules Project
www.rehab.ie
News Roundup
News and Features
An overview of the latest developments
from across the Rehab Group.....................4
Hey, Gorgeous!
TBG Learning’s courses are looking
more attractive than ever with the
opening of its new beauty salon....13
Capturing Rehab’s Magic Moments
Rehab will be celebrating its sixtieth
birthday next year and Rehab News
is collecting photographs and stories
of Rehab over the years to create a
special feature.................................................14
4
Cover Story
Rehab Lotteries Celebrates
Rehab Lotteries recently celebrated its
twentieth anniversary with a Mardi
Gras-style party. Read about its journey
to success .......................................................10
Rehab to Open New Primary
School in Limerick
Plans have begun for a school which
will provide 60 places for children
with autism within four years............15
Portlaoise Students are
Golden Achievers
Students from National Learning
Network in Portlaoise are presented
with gold An Gaisce awards................27
Rugby Star Lines Out for Rehab
Eric Miller is to represent Rehab in
the Lifestyle Sports Adidas Dublin
City Marathon...............................................28
Rehab Enterprises’ Exciting
Expansion Plans
“An Siopa”, Rehab Retail’s fourth
shop in Dublin, recently opened at
the Houses of the Oireachtas.............16
Game On!
You can now go to college and
play computer games to equip
you with skills to enter the digital
entertainment industry....................18
People with Disabilities –
Great for Business
Jack Black, acclaimed personal
development guru, highlights the
benefits of employing people with
learning disabilities....................................20
Sinead is Back!
After depression put an end to her
career in social care work, Sinead
Cafferky is building a new life...........22
10
Corporate Training Service Shows
Employers the Way Forward
National Learning Network’s
new service will help employers
deal with disability and diversity
challenges in the workplace...............26
22
The Future is Bright
TBG Learning’s innovative course
in painting and decorating allows
students to get strokes ahead...........30
National Learning Network
Launches New Prospectus
A new prospectus available from
National Learning Network was
recently launched......................................32
Rehab Recycle to Get an
Online Makeover
Rehab Recycle unveils its new
website later this month......................24
Conference to Explore Recovery
in Mental Health
A conference which will be of
interest to those involved in mental
health recovery is scheduled
for October......................................................33
All Washed Up for Rehab
Rehab, with the support of Top Oil, is
looking for volunteers to help out on
the second annual Car Wash Day.....25
Together is Better
Rehab News takes a look at the
National RehabCare Advocacy
Council’s Rules Project............................34
In this issue
June 2008
45
Going! Going! Gone!
The Chaseley Trust’s Diamond Jubilee
Appeal is about to come to a grand
finale..................................................................36
Rehab Radio Bingo a Clear Winner
Hundreds of thousands of euro have
been given away in prize funds by
Rehab Radio Bingo....................................37
Disability – Let’s get Strategic!
We take you on a whistle-stop tour of
developments since the introduction
of the National Disability Strategy..38
Focus on: Rehab’s Acquired Brain
Injury Services in the UK
We take a look at the range of
services for people with a brain injury
in the UK...........................................................40
Rehab Recycle Goes Back to School
It’s back to school time for Rehab
Recycle as it spearheads an innovative
WEEE Ireland campaign..............................42
One Athlete’s “Sporting Chance”
Amanda Crotty was recently named
Irish Blind Sports Athlete of the Year
2007...................................................................43
Learning to Learn
Have you ever sat in a lecture
wondering what on earth the
lecturer was talking about? Read on
to find out why............................................44
Deputy First Minister Visits
Haven in Inverness
Staff were able to show off their
work skills when they received a
visit from Scotland’s Deputy First
Minister recently.........................................45
UK Parliamentary Pancake Race
Political journalists versus MPs
and Lords. Who will make it over
the finishing line first? The results
are in!................................................................46
My Working Day
Two Rehab Group staff in Dublin
and Eastbourne talk to Rehab News
about a typical day in their working
lives......................................................................48
Bulletin Board
Local People of the Year Awards, UK
Long Service Awards, Adventurers,
Launches, Winners, Long Service
Awards, Spring Certification
Ceremonies, and more....................50
Time Out
We have two midweek hotel breaks
to give away! So take some time
out, put your feet up and enter our
competitions to be in with a chance
to win................................................................58
28
Rehab News
Produced by:
Communications and Public
Affairs Team, Rehab Group,
Roslyn Park, Sandymount,
Dublin 4
00353 1 205 7268
info@rehab.ie
If you would like to submit a
news story suggestion for the
next edition of Rehab News,
please get in touch with us.
Acknowledgements:
Getty Images; Shutterstock.com;
Tadhg Crowley; Fionán O’Connell;
Johnny Corcoran; Terry Connolly;
Simon James, London Commercial
Photography.
Published on behalf of the
Rehab Group by:
Zahra Publishing, First Floor,
19 Railway Road, Dalkey,
County Dublin
00353 1 235 1408
gmiltiadou@zahrapublishing.com
Printed by:
W&G Baird, Belfast, Antrim
ISBN IFFN 0709/6676
Copyright to the material in Rehab News is
reserved. The views expressed in Rehab News
are not necessarily those of Rehab Group.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy
of information published in Rehab News, the
publishers can accept no liability.
4
| Rehab News
| June 2008
News Roundup
RehabCare
Comes up Roses!
Pictured above: (left to right) Síofra Roche, Gráinne Fogarty and Sonya
Griffen at the Co. Clare heats for the 2008 Rose of Tralee in April.
They were coming up roses at RehabCare’s
Inis Grove children’s residential service in Ennis as two
members of staff were among the contestants who
competed to be Co. Clare’s representative in the 2008
Rose of Tralee. Social Care Worker Síofra Roche, who
represented RehabCare in the competition, was joined
by her colleague, Relief Social Care Worker Sonya Griffen,
on stage. Although, unfortunately, neither went forward,
Gráinne Fogarty, Social Care Manager at the service, was
extremely proud of their performance. “The girls were
fantastic, a real credit to RehabCare,” she said.
Minister Gives Haven
the Thumbs Up!
Pictured above: Anne McGuire MP, UK Minister for Disabled People, examining the facilities at Haven Products’ new learning centre in Hillington, Glasgow.
The achievements of Momentum’s social
enterprise firm, Haven Products, were highlighted by
the UK’s Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire MP,
recently when she opened its new learning centre in
Hillington, Glasgow. After a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the
Minister presented a new plaque for the learning centre
to Haven employees as well as a number of awards
Haven had recently won – the Investors in People Award,
the Social Enterprise Coalition – Enterprising Solutions
Award and the Social Firms UK STAR Award, the only
social firm in Scotland to receive this. The Minister was
given a tour of the new facilities, including the learning
centre where employees will be able to develop their IT,
numeracy and literacy skills.
News Roundup | 5
A roundup of News from across the Rehab Group
Holding out
for a Hero
The build-up to Ireland’s national
people’s awards ceremony, the
People of the Year Awards, is hotting
up and the search is truly on to find
Ireland’s People of the Year.
L
AUNCHED IN APRIL, the awards, which are organised by Rehab, sponsored by QUINN-healthcare and televised live on RTÉ One,
honour the great and the good of Irish society
– individuals and organisations who have made
an outstanding contribution to life in Ireland or abroad.
Previous winners of the People of the Year Awards
include Sir Bob Geldof, Padraig Harrington, Mary
Robinson, Terry Wogan, Veronica Guerin, Mo Mowlam,
Maeve Binchy, Sonia O’Sullivan, TK Whittaker, Tommy
Tiernan and Christy Moore.
Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Colin Morgan,
General Manager, Quinn Insurances, said, “This is QUINN-healthcare’s second year working with the People
of the Year Awards. Communities all over Ireland benefit
from the great work of unsung heroes – ordinary people
who do extraordinary things and we want to recognise
the achievement of these individuals at the People of
the Year Awards.”
Following her stunning performance at last year’s event,
the RTÉ presenter Gráinne Seoige will again present the
Awards on RTÉ One live from Dublin’s CityWest Hotel on
Saturday, 13 September.
There are 12 categories this year including the Irish
Person of the Year, the International Person of the Year and the Young Irish Person of the Year (under 25 years of age). In addition, there are a number
of Awards presented for achievements in the areas
of community service, arts and culture, sports and
public sector achievement. The winners are chosen by
members of the public through a nominations process
and finalised by a panel of adjudicators comprising
Pictured above: The People of the Year Awards 2008 which are
organised by Rehab and sponsored by QUINN-healthcare were
recently launched by RTÉ’s Gráinne Seoige with the help of Young
Irish Person of the Year 2007, Gerald Killeen, and Ciara MacMahon,
who won the same award in 2003.
leading members of the media, business, public service
and community sectors.
Speaking to Rehab News, Angela Kerins, Rehab’s
Chief Executive, says it is important to recognise great
achievement. “This is the 34th year of the People of the
Year Awards, which are now a household name, and
Rehab is proud to have established the Awards and been
the organiser for over three decades. The People of the
Year Awards provide us with an opportunity to give real
recognition to people whose achievements and stories
lift and inspire us all.”
RTÉ Television’s Gráinne Seoige said, “This is RTÉ’s 25th
year to televise the People of the Year Awards, and
my second as presenter. I am delighted to play a role,
alongside our colleagues in QUINN-healthcare and
Rehab, in bringing the stories of these outstanding
individuals and their achievements to as wide an
audience as possible.”
To find out the latest news on the People of the Year Awards, simply log on to www.peopleoftheyear.com
6
| Rehab News
| June 2008
News Roundup
Out of the Blue for Rehab UK
To mark Brain Injury Week in the UK (31 March to 6 April), a number of events were held by Rehab UK services to raise funds. In Newcastle, 33 brave souls abseiled from the Tyne Bridge which raised £1,376 and still counting. Other events included a sponsored walk by seven
clients around the Newcastle quayside and a “dress down day” in the north-east centre. In London, Rehab UK held
a brain injury seminar which was addressed by Mark Harper MP, the UK’s Shadow Minister for Disabled People. You
can read about the seminar as well as information on Rehab UK and Momentum’s brain injury services and the
experiences of one client, Tom Patterson, on pages 40 to 41. New Rehab UK Service Opens
Rehab UK has recently initiated a new brain
injury service in Blyth, Northumberland. Operating four days a week, the day centre and outreach service supports 25 regular service users of adult age with acquired brain injuries. It provides activities
which work on developing the service users’ numeracy,
literacy, IT and daily living skills, as well as offering
art lessons. The centre aims to increase service users’
quality of life, contribute to community and social
inclusion, and support families and carers on a daily basis.
As part of the UK’s Brain Injury Week, the centre held
an Open Day to give people a better insight into the
services offered. Clients of the centre demonstrated
their skills with an arts and crafts display and in the
preparation of lunch. The event was well attended by
families, carers and potential local supporters interested
in finding out more about the work of the centre.
News Roundup | 7
A roundup of News from across the Rehab Group
Coffee Moments
Rehab’s
Policy
Project
Keith Poole is the Director
of Finance with the Rehab
Group. Here he gives Rehab News an exclusive
insight into the man behind
the numbers and the driving
forces that motivate him.
1. What do you do to relax? I love nothing better than to go
sailing.
2. What are you reading at the moment?
Judging Dev by Diarmaid Ferriter.
3. What is the best holiday you have ever had?
Two weeks’ hill walking in Corsica.
4. What is your favourite animal?
My dog Harry.
5. What is your top finance tip?
Avoid borrowings.
6. If you won the lotto, what would you do?
I’d buy a house in West Cork and promptly retire.
7. Best film of all time?
Apocalypse Now.
It is essential that every organisation has
policies in place to ensure good governance and a
consistent approach by everyone with a stake in it. As an organisation grows, so too does the number of
decisions it needs to take, the positions it must hold and the areas it needs to regulate.
Against this backdrop, led by the Director of Policy and
Co-ordination, Sarah-Jane Dillon, a small team joined
the Rehab Group last year to examine policies. The
Group has enjoyed considerable growth in recent years
and now has the opportunity to review the policies and
procedures that have applied to date and to reflect on
how to improve the quality of services. The first policies
have now been approved by the Management Team.
The policy team continues to consult widely with staff,
service users and stakeholders to ensure that Group
policies are directed by best practice and help the
organisation work well for everyone.
If you are interested in the policy process and getting involved, please contact Sharon Dillon-Lyons on 00353 1 205 7376 or email policy@rehab.ie
8. Last concert you attended?
Bob Dylan at the Point – got the tickets as a present!
9. What has been the most memorable day of
your life?
My oldest friend’s wedding – I was the best man.
10. Stranded on a desert island, what three
things would you bring with you?
Fishing gear, a dinghy and my dog (assuming I’m not
allowed take my family!).
11. Your all-time hero?
That’s a hard call. Either Des O’Malley or Roy Keane.
12. When you were a little boy, what did you
want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a pilot.
13. The secret to happiness?
With four daughters, it has to be to surround yourself
with women.
14. What would you do if you became Taoiseach
in the morning? I‘d get rid of the bus lanes on the Rock Road in Dublin.
8
| Rehab News
| June 2008
News Roundup
Munster Teams
Battle on the Pitch
Pictured above: Students from National Learning Network’s
“Sporting Chance” programme in Tralee, Co. Kerry, celebrate after
participating in the Mayfield FC Cup run by the Football Association
of Ireland as part of its “Football for All” programme.
OPEL
Service
Users
Recognised
Congratulations to
Momentum service users who
were recently recognised for their
achievements in employment
at South Lanarkshire Council’s
“Celebration of Success” event in
March. The Lord Provost, Russell
Clearie MBE, presented service users
with certificates from a range of
employability programmes across
the Council area, including people
from Momentum’s Opportunities for
Progression through Employment
and Learning (OPEL) service.
Football teams from National Learning Network in Cork and Kerry recently lined out for the Mayfield FC
Cup run by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) as part
of its “Football for All” programme. The four teams taking
part in the thrilling tournament which took place on 4
March were the Tralee Headbangers, the Tralee Legends,
Hollyhill and Bantry. The game of the day was the Tralee
Headbangers versus the Tralee Legends, which was a
nail-biting match. With five minutes to go, the scores
were deadlocked but two winning strikes from Jonathan
Berry resulted in the final score: Tralee Headbangers 2,
Tralee Legends 1.
The “Football for All” days allow everybody, regardless
of playing experience or ability, the opportunity
to participate and compete in football in a fun but
challenging environment. All of the students who
participated thoroughly enjoyed the competition and
National Learning Network is very grateful to the FAI and to “Football for All” officer, Oisín Jordan, for an
excellently-run day.
Pictured: The Lord
Provost of South
Lanarkshire Council,
Russell Clearie MBE,
presents a certificate
to Momentum
student Laura Clarkin
at the Council’s
“Celebration
of Success”.
News Roundup | 9
A roundup of News from across the Rehab Group
Marathon Men
Well done to Daniel Ribbits and Dean McShea who ran the London Marathon for Rehab UK and
Momentum respectively in April. It was the first time Momentum had a runner in the race thanks to the Silver Bond
scheme which allowed charities previously not represented to have a one-off opportunity of becoming involved.
Daniel completed the race in 5 hours 8 minutes, raising over £1,200 for Rehab UK. Dean, from Aberdeenshire, raised
more than £6,000 online at www.justgiving.com. Thanks to both Daniel and Dean for their energetic efforts.
National Learning
Network Celebrates
Lifelong Learning
National Learning Network in Hollyhill, Cork,
threw open its doors to the whole city recently for the
start of the fifth Cork Lifelong Learning Festival. Mr Seán
Haughey TD, Minister of State at the Department of
Education and Science, was at the centre to officially
open the week-long festival which showcases adult
learning opportunities through more than 230 free
events across the city.
The motto of this year’s festival was “Investigate,
Participate, Celebrate” and the centre took this to heart
by participating in a number of activities to spread
the word about its learning opportunities. It held an
open day featuring exhibits from its rehabilitative and
vocational training programmes as well as an external
art exhibition in conjunction with local groups in
Knocknaheeny as part of the Knocknaheeny Education
Network Celebration. National Learning Network also
had information stands around Cork city and gave
Pictured above: Outside the National Learning Network centre in
Hollyhill, Cork, at the official opening of the Cork Lifelong Learning
Festival are (left to right) Deputy Lord Mayor Tony Fitzgerald,
Ted Owens, CEO Cork VEC, Tina Neylon, Co-ordinator of the Cork
Lifelong Learning Festival, Willie McAuliffe, Chair of the Cork Lifelong
Learning Festival Committee, Noel O’Flynn TD, Seán Haughey TD,
Minister of State for Lifelong Learning and Noel Shannon, Area
Manager, National Learning Network.
information sessions, digital photography classes and
talks on internet security from its mobile training unit
in conjunction with Cork City Council, Cork City Adult
Guidance and Cork City Libraries.
10 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Rehab Lotteries
Celebrates
“€170m worth of lottery games is a
fantastic amount of product to have
sold!” remarks John McGuire, Director
of Fundraising and Marketing with
the Rehab Group, as he recalls the
achievement of Rehab Lotteries since
its establishment. He added, “This has
only been possible because of the
tremendous support for Rehab’s lottery
games received from our customers
and fantastic staff.” Pictured above:
John McGuire displays
the new special edition
“Celebrations” scratch
card. It has a top prize of
€10,000, four chances to
win and one in every three
tickets overall is a winner.
H
e was speaking in an interview with Rehab News as Rehab Lotteries recently
celebrated its twentieth anniversary with
a Mardi Gras-style carnival birthday party
in St Stephen’s Green in Dublin complete
with dancers, drummers, balloons and, of course, the
obligatory birthday cake. A special edition “Celebrations”
scratch card has also been issued to mark the event and
is now available in convenience stores, supermarkets
and petrol stations nationwide.
McGuire is with Rehab Lotteries almost since the
beginning, having joined two years after it was
established. Back then, the world in which Rehab
Lotteries operated was a very different place. “We
initially had our offices in Dame Street, where we Cover Story |
So where did the idea of Rehab Lotteries come from? McGuire explains, “When the idea of a National Lottery was announced back in the 80s, the
government launched a competition to see who would
get the licence. Three organisations tendered for the
contract – An Post, the Irish Sweepstakes and Rehab
in a joint venture with the Central Remedial Clinic. In
preparation for the bid, then CEO Frank Flannery did a
huge amount of research and formed a strategic alliance
with the Ontario State Lottery in Canada, which provided
advice on how lotteries were run. Of course, as we now
know, An Post won out in the end, but as Rehab had
acquired a huge amount of lottery know-how, Frank
decided to put that to good use and so Rehab Lotteries
was born.”
So have scratch cards always been a key part of the
business? “Our core anchor product has always been
scratch cards and over the years we have continued to
introduce new innovations and games. Our first scratch
card was ‘Instant Cash’ and for the price of IR£1 you
could win a Ford Orion car. We’ve probably had around
100 games since then – the most successful game we
have ever had is ‘Extra’ which has been in circulation
now for about ten years and which has developed a real following.
“Of course, we have always continued to innovate.
We had cards to celebrate people’s birthdays and
anniversaries, where people would get a musical
greeting card but with a lottery card contained within.
We had a special lottery with Superquinn where you
could win points in Superquinn’s customer loyalty
scheme on your card. The unique aspect of this game
was that every ticket was a winner in that every ticket
had a minimum amount of points as a prize. We also
offered people the opportunity to buy a ticket and win
prizes in the UK National Lottery draw, including multimillion jackpot prizes. In fact, the biggest winner we
ever had was in the UK Lotto where a man, whose name I will never forget – Paddy Clair from County Clare – won €254,000.
“More recently, we have introduced online gaming with rehabbingo.com. Launched in November 2006, ‘‘
On this, our twentieth anniversary,
I especially wish to thank all
those who have supported Rehab
Lotteries over the years and
particularly our team of very loyal
and dedicated staff
‘‘
had two floors and a basement and about 30 staff working for us. There was a lot of administration
and paperwork but with technology has come greater
efficiencies and reductions in the costs of operations.
Of course, the whole shape of retailing has changed
dramatically over the years too. In those days there were more corner shops and family shops, unlike today where the grocery business is now much more concentrated amongst a small number of multiples.”
11
we spent most of 2007 getting rehabbingo.com
established and securing a reasonable player base and
thanks to all of that hard work, it’s really taken off. It
is now making a real contribution to Rehab such that
online activity accounts for two-thirds of the business.
We also have electronic scratch cards for sale in public
houses, where customers can ‘scratch’ their tickets on screen. Over the next year, we have plans to
introduce scratch card games on mobile phones too and
are at an advanced stage with a mobile phone provider
on this.”
So how vital are the funds raised? “Rehab Lotteries forms an essential part of the fundraising operations for Rehab. It has enabled Rehab to constantly improve
the services provided at locations all around Ireland for people with disabilities and others who are
marginalised for whom there is a constant requirement
to develop new services to meet their needs. On this,
our twentieth anniversary, I especially wish to thank all those who have supported Rehab Lotteries over the
years and particularly our team of very loyal and
dedicated staff.”
So where does McGuire see Rehab Lotteries in 20 years’
time? He gazes into his crystal ball. “One of the issues
for us is that the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 does not
12 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Still here after all these years!
Pictured above: Alan Kennedy from RehabCare in Ballyfermot
celebrates Rehab Lotteries’ twentieth birthday with the help of
three friends.
legislate for today’s gaming environment. The Act needs
urgent review as times have moved on and it needs
to deal with issues such as casinos and the internet.
Reform of the legislation could present us with new
opportunities. Notwithstanding this, in 20 years’ time,
the likelihood is that there will be less sold in shops and
a lot more people playing games from their armchair on
their interactive TV or via their mobile phone. One thing
is for sure, Rehab Lotteries will continue to be at the
forefront of lottery innovation and continue to make a
vital contribution to the work of Rehab.” n
Three members of staff have been with Rehab
Lotteries since day one. Pictured (left to right) John
Slevin, Prize Redemptions Manager, Diane Munroe,
Business Support Department, and Tom Quigley,
Area Sales Representative. John McGuire says,
“More than any of us, this is their birthday, and they
are a testament to the fact that Rehab really is a
great place to work and that people can be really
happy here.”
News | 13
Hey, Gorgeous!
TBG Learning’s courses are looking more attractive than ever with the
opening of its new beauty salon “To Be Gorgeous”.
said, “I thought I would enjoy this
type of thing but now I’ve tried it, I
know I do!”
The e2e programme in Clacton has
helped hundreds of local young
people to build their skills and
confidence before progressing into
further education, apprenticeships or
employment.
Pictured above: At the launch of the new nail and beauty salon, “To Be Gorgeous”, at TBG
Learning in Tendring are (back row, left to right) learners Keisha Duly, Leanne Carr, Opal
Wakeling, Josie Grindrod, Mavis Balbirnie, Tutor Alex Gray, Learning Centre Manager Rob Fitt and (front row, left to right) learner Sammy-Jo Robinson, Councillor Peter Balbirnie,
Chairman of Tendring District Council, and learner Emma Marshall.
B
ased at TBG Learning’s
centre in Clacton-on-Sea,
the salon is used to train
young people in practical
skills for the beauty
industry. The centre is the most
successful local provider of the Entry
to Employment (e2e) programme
for 16 to 18-year-olds and the new
salon, officially opened by the
Chairman of Tendring District Council,
Councillor Peter Balbirnie, is giving
young people a new option, which
also includes literacy, numeracy and
computer skills. He was even treated
to a pampering session of his own by
students during his visit.
Speaking at the opening, the
Chairman said, “The new nail and
beauty facilities are excellent and
the current learners seem to be
thoroughly enjoying the course.”
Keisha Duly, one of the students
who is spending one day per week
learning skills including facials,
manicures, massage and waxing,
TBG Learning’s core objective is to
improve lives through learning and
in a further extension of its service to
young people has recently opened
two new centres in Southall in West
London and West Bromwich in the
West Midlands.
The new Southall centre was
officially opened by local MP, Virendra
Sharmaa, and the West Bromwich
centre by the Mayor of Sandwell,
Councillor Gurcharan Singh Sidhu.n
Who to contact
For further information please contact:
Rob Fitt
Learning Centre Manager,
Tendring
TBG Learning
0044 1255 430 053
rfitt@tbglearning.com
14 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Pictured left:
Visiting dignitaries review
a woodwork masterclass
in Portland Row, Dublin in
Rehab’s early years.
Pictured below:
Former Taoiseach Seán Lemass visiting a Rehab centre in days gone by.
Capturing Rehab’s
Magic Moments
I
n 2009, Rehab will be
celebrating its sixtieth
birthday. From very small
beginnings helping recovering
TB patients to regain their
independence through vocational
rehabilitation, Rehab has gone from
strength to strength. It is today one
of Europe’s most influential disability
organisations and a leading voice in
championing the rights of people with a disability and others who are marginalised.
inclusion in this feature. It’s all about
showcasing Rehab and its exciting
development over the years.
Don’t forget to tell us the story behind
the picture, who is in it, where it
was taken and in what year. While
we will endeavour to send back the
picture to you if you give us your
name and address, we cannot be held
responsible for its care, so please do
keep copies! n
It is also a leading provider of health
and social care, training and education
and rehabilitation, employment and
commercial services, in the Group’s
network of over 200 centres in
Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands and Poland.
Plans to mark its sixtieth year are
being kept a closely-guarded secret by
organisers at the moment, however,
Rehab News plans to publish a special
feature celebrating the event with a
collection of rarely-seen photographs.
If you have used Rehab’s services
or are a present or former member
Who to contact
You can write to us at:
of staff and have any photographs
depicting your time in Rehab over the
years, then please send them in.
Pictures can be of staff at their work,
of people engaging in services, of
official events – it’s up to you, but
it is important that permission be
sought from those pictured for their
Rehab News, Communications
and Public Affairs Team,
Rehab Group, Roslyn Park,
Sandymount, Dublin 4.
News | 15
Rehab to Open New
Primary School in Limerick
In a historic first for Rehab, it has been recognised by the Department of
Education and Science as patron of a new pre-school and primary school for
young people with autism in Patrickswell, Limerick.
for children with autism. We are
responding to the desire of parents
to provide children with a range of
educational services for their child
with special needs, including autism,
based in their local community.
Rehab has a track record of success
in providing innovative and flexible
services to people with autism and
their families and I welcome this new
initiative on their part.”
T
he announcement, which
was made in February, paves
the way for the development
of a school which will initially
provide six pre-school and 24
primary school places, increasing to 60
places within four years. Discussions
are currently underway with architects
and the planning authorities with
a view to progressing a temporary
facility, which it is hoped will be in
place within the next academic year,
while a permanent state-of-the-art
primary school is progressed.
Ms Mary Hanafin TD, the then
Minister for Education and Science,
commented, “This new school is
part of the continuing expansion
of services throughout the country
The school will follow the
Department’s national curriculum
which will be adapted and modified
to suit the learning needs of
the young people. A range of
methodologies will be used to
promote the maximum learning
potential of each child, including
TEACCH, PECS, ABA and MultiElemental Behaviour Support. An
individual education plan will be
developed with the involvement
of families and specialist multidisciplinary teams. The Minister
added, “This will ensure a holistic
approach, not only concentrating on
the education of the child, but also
on other areas such as independent
living, social and leisure skills, play
skills, communications skills and self-care.”
Speaking to Rehab News, Angela
Kerins, Rehab’s Chief Executive, said,
“Our immediate priority is to secure
planning approval for the initial
temporary accommodation. In tandem
with this, we are at an advanced
stage in the development of an
enrolment policy for the school with
the Department and hope to shortly
advertise for a school principal.
“To begin with, the facility will
principally comprise five classrooms, a staffroom, gymnasium, multisensory room and playground.
“We very much look forward to
working in partnership with the
Department, the Health Service
Executive and, most particularly, with
children with autism and their families
in the Mid-West, in order to provide
high-quality, child-centred education
programmes for children with autistic
spectrum disorder.”
Rehab currently provides a range of
autism services to over 170 children
and adults throughout Ireland,
including residential, day and respite
care, home care and after school
services. n
Who to contact
For further information please contact:
Siobhan Barry
Projects Executive
RehabCare
00353 61 203 897
siobhan.barry@rehabcare.ie
16 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Rehab Enterprises’
Exciting Expansion Plans
Pictured above: The Ceann Comhairle, John O’Donoghue TD, cuts the ribbon on “An Siopa”, Rehab’s new shop at the Houses of the
Oireachtas, Dublin.
W
hat do busy
Ministers and TDs
eager to keep
abreast of current
affairs in the
newspapers, hard-working Dáil and
Seanad staff in need of a sugar boost
and visitors in search of a souvenir
have in common? They are all
customers of Rehab Retail’s newest
shop, “An Siopa”, at the Kildare
Street entrance to the Houses of
the Oireachtas in Dublin. The
shop was recently officially opened
by the Ceann Comhairle (Speaker of
the House), John O’Donoghue TD.
“An Siopa” is Rehab Retail’s fourth
shop in Dublin, with others located
at the offices of Vodafone, Ulster
Bank and AIB Bankcentre in the city.
Rehab Retail plans to open six more
shops in Dublin by the end of 2010,
two of which will begin trading this
summer – at Eircom Head Office, at
News | 17
Pictured above: Are you being served? Mark Casey (right) serves Noel Ahern TD (left) in the new Rehab Retail shop, “An Siopa”, at the
entrance to the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Heuston Station and in Trinity Hall in
Dartry. The shops are open five days
a week, supply a range of goods and
services and they provide integrated
social employment opportunities for
workers with disabilities. Staff are
employed under the Department of
Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s
Wage Subsidy Scheme which
provides a subsidy to employers
employing people with disabilities
Pictured above: Rehab Enterprises’ new
facility in Poland.
and funding for employee supports.
All staff have access to “Workpath”,
a specialist employment assistance
programme to support them
with challenges in their work and
personal lives.
The development of Rehab Retail’s
business mirrors the recent growth
of Rehab Enterprises generally. The
organisation has expanded into
Poland with the establishment of a
plant supplying keyboards to Dell
which started operations this year.
The operation provides employment
to 35 people.
On the decision to set up in
that country, Michael Horgan,
Director of Enterprises, says, “In
our logistics business, we’ve been
able to establish a business in
Poland due to the strength of
our business relationship and our
focus in delivering on customer
requirements. As evidence of this,
we only have to look at a recent
audit of our facilities in Poland by
Dell when we scored 96 out of 100,
beating a number of other Dell
suppliers. Customer relationship
management is the cornerstone of
Rehab Enterprises’ success and our
objective is to have 16 to 20 people
with disabilities employed in Poland
by the end of the year, in line with
the Rehab Enterprises’ ethos of
an integrated social employment
model.”
Rehab Enterprises plans to bring its
knowledge of the employment of
people with disabilities to a wider
audience later this year with a crossGroup work placement programme
involving potential employees
from National Learning Network
and RehabCare. Rehab Enterprises
will provide expertise through
Access Ability which is a leader in
the field of disability management
consultancy. Work coaching for
employees will also be offered
through the Employment Assistance
Programme. With this initiative,
it is hoped that over 200 people
can be placed in jobs between 2008
and 2010. n
18 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Game On!
Imagine going to college to play Nintendo WII, Playstation 3,
Nintendo DS and Xbox 360! This is the dream course just launched
by the National Learning Network at Roslyn Park College in Dublin.
Students on the course choose from a selection of
modules including the theory and principles of computer
programming, game design, website development,
mathematics and enterprise development, as well as
information and communication systems. Other modules
include business communications, customer service,
personal effectiveness and time management. The
two-year course is supported by FÁS and is Ireland’s
first FETAC-accredited (level 5) course in Computer
Programming and Game Design.
“The course was set up in response to the growing
importance of computer gaming within the software
industry – a sector that is now worth billions of euro
– and the huge interest in the area,” Connolly continues.
“Today, people are often now first exposed to computers
though computer games and it’s a really good hook to
get people interested in programming. Even if people
don’t end up working on games, the course exposes
them to so many other aspects of computing which they
can apply to areas other than gaming.
“There are a lot of small companies in Ireland producing
games or parts of games for the big computer companies
and so there are some real opportunities for our graduates
to pursue a career in the digital entertainment industry. Of
course, others will go into traditional computing roles, for
example, software writing and sales, or on to third level.”
Carol Redican, the Course Coordinator, has a track record in
the software development industry and played a key part
in the course’s development. She welcomes all potential
applicants. “You don’t need to have any experience to
get on this course, just an interest and an aptitude for the
work,” she enthuses.
“We have continuous intake, so people are at different
stages. For example, at the moment, we have two
students who are in the process of designing interactive
animated games with different levels and scoring. They
are loving it and really passionate about it. Already we
have had people who have gone on work experience
being snapped up and offered exciting jobs.”
‘‘
The course is aimed at people
who want to learn how to design
programmes, games or websites,
and who wish to progress
to university or gain the
knowledge required to start
their own business.
‘‘
S
o are the students really playing games
all day long in class? “Not quite,”says Enda
Connolly, the Head of Department at Roslyn
Park College responsible for the course. He
explains, “They do get to try the games out,
but it’s more about evaluating them to study and
critique them – how does the Xbox or Nintendo work,
how easy is it for the user to follow, does it freeze,
how do graphics compare with other games? We look
at different types of games, from strategy games like
chess, to arcade games like Supermario, to simulation
games like flying. The course is aimed at people who
want to learn how to design programmes, games or
websites, and who wish to progress to university or gain
the knowledge required to start their own business.
Students learn the basics of writing computer software
and how to write their own computer games as well as
more sophisticated computer programmes.”
News | 19
Enda Connolly says Microsoft is a key partner in the
delivery of the course. “The course has extensive
contacts with software development companies and
has an ongoing relationship with Microsoft’s European
headquarters in Sandyford which participates in the
College’s work placement programme. To date, over a
dozen students from Roslyn Park College’s computer
courses have gained invaluable work experience by
spending a minimum of six weeks with Microsoft. They
are given real tasks to do, from adapting software to
local needs to doing quality assurance and checking
software for bugs, providing students with a great insight
into how the big companies operate.”
So is there a typical student on the course? “We have 12
students at the moment. While you might think it would
be made up of younger people, we have people from
a range of backgrounds and ages. The course is very
flexible so that participants can work at their own speed
depending on their personal skills and aptitudes.”
Enda Connolly believes the technology being
used by games today will be used in our office
computers tomorrow. “The technology and software
being used in games now gives a real indication of
what we can expect in the future. I believe we will see
keyboards becoming less relevant and much more use
of touch screen. I think we will also see different ways
being used to communicate with your computer so
that instead of using a mouse, we’ll see people using
joysticks and wands”.
Whatever about those predictions, there can be no doubt
that this course is magic for anyone considering making
a living out of playing computer games! ■
Who to contact
For further information
please contact:
Enda Connolly
Head of Department, Roslyn Park College
National Learning Network
00353 1 205 7440
enda.connolly@rehab.ie
20 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Pictured:
Personal development
guru Jack Black, who spoke
at a recent supported
employment event in
Hamilton to highlight the
benefits of employing people
with learning disabilities.
People with
Disabilities –
Great for
Business
Feature | 21
Jack Black, the acclaimed personal development guru, has told employers
that employing people with a disability is not just about being a good
corporate citizen, but is also good for the bottom line, team morale and
company success.
As a leading authority on personal development, Black
counts among those he has coached world champion
athletes, premier footballers and company executives.
He explained to Rehab News what the event was trying
to achieve. “What we tried to do was to share inspiration
about how people can improve their performance in life
and open minds up to a positive viewpoint around the
perceived risk of taking on someone with a disability. We
shared stories in the room of people who have taken
that risk and we set about getting other employers to
put their hands up. People were really open to it and
there was a lot of passion and support for the idea.
“I spend most of my time working with the corporate
world and this was my first time engaging in an event
specifically aimed at helping disabled people and we
received very good feedback. At the end of the day,
people are people with the same aspirations to be the
best that they can be. The tools and techniques that
I impart are relevant to anybody, in changing from
ordinary performance to extraordinary performance and
in giving people more confidence going forward.”
He went on to say that employers can gain hugely from
employing people with disabilities. “For employers, if
they take on someone with a disability, that person can
very often become a talisman for the team, bringing
out the best in people. So it’s not just a feelgood factor
for the employer in taking on a disabled person but that
person also brings benefits and adds value.
“Hopefully we will have been able to harness the energy
and generosity of spirit at the event so that people not
only consider what was said but go and do something
about it and engage with the agencies.”
Black was particularly impressed with the contribution
of Caroline Roden, an employee with South Lanarkshire
Council, who has Down’s syndrome and who has
‘‘
I spend most of my time working
with the corporate world and this
was my first time engaging in an
event specifically aimed at helping
disabled people and we received
very good feedback.
‘‘
B
lack was speaking recently at a
supported employment event in Hamilton,
West Central Scotland, to highlight the
benefits of employing people with
learning disabilities. The event, which was
organised by Momentum, Rehab’s Scottish division, and
South Lanarkshire Council, saw over 100 people
in attendance.
become a valued and respected member of the social
work service.
“There was genuine enthusiasm in the room, and
a lot of pride particularly in hearing from Caroline
Roden who was really impressive in telling her story.
There was an understanding that it isn’t an easy
road for disabled people and Caroline told us of the
various setbacks she had had but she never gave up.
It’s a bigger challenge for someone like Caroline to
succeed than for a corporate executive who’s aspiring
to be CEO. Caroline is a genuine hero and an inspiration
to me.”
Ian Welsh, Director of UK Services, commented, “Those
firms who have taken the initiative to employ people
with learning disabilities often find these employees to
be among their most dedicated staff. We were delighted
that Jack Black agreed to back our drive to connect
employers with a more diverse workforce and already
we have seen the fruits of this truly inspirational event
in the number of enquiries that we have received from
employers since.” n
22 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Sinead is Back!
After depression put an end to her career in social care work, Sinead Cafferky is building a new life.
S
inead Cafferky can look back now and
see that she has lived with depression since her
early teens. She simply seemed like a grumpy
teenager – but her depression caught up with
her in her twenties when she became a social
care worker.
“At first it was fine. I was young. As it went on, it did
wear away at me because I wasn’t well. I was cranky,
agitated, tired. I found it hard to get on with people. I
took it out on them.”
After five years of social care, the stresses of her job and
lifestyle took its toll on her. She was spending time on
her own, staying in bed, watching TV, avoiding people
and drinking too much.
“I was very quiet, angry and irritable with people I trusted, not wanting to go out or meet people. My
bedroom was a mess – it was not kept well. It was as if I thought ‘I don’t deserve to have a nice room, so why bother?’ What’s on the inside is reflected in the
outside environment.
“Three years ago I called a halt to it. I went to a
psychiatrist who diagnosed mild depression, prescribed
anti-depressants and recommended I leave work.”
Cafferky left her job to the great surprise of both her
boss and her parents who had no idea of her depression.
She moved back to her parents’ farm in Kilkelly, Mayo,
and enjoyed the peace of rural life.
After two years, Cafferky moved to Dublin to live with her sister and heard about Roslyn Park College. She
realised she needed somewhere to “chill out and make
some life choices” but she still felt she should be on
the other side of the classroom. “I hadn’t accepted I
was mentally unwell. I would have to face it.”
She signed on for the Psychosocial Foundation
course, a diverse programme which covers topics
such as personal development and creative
writing, as well as teaching participants how
to look after themselves and how to learn so
they can go on to further study. The timetable is flexible
and participants choose what they want from a range
of options and sample vocational courses in the college.
It’s connected to CollegeStart, an introductory skills
course, so students from the two courses mix. “I’ve met
so many people from so many different backgrounds. It
taught me life skills that I didn’t have.”
Cafferky is now studying the Business Studies
(Administration) course and learning a wide range of
skills in customer service, communications, information
and administration, word processing and the European
Computer Driving Licence.
“The Business Studies course is, as I see it, a gradual,
flexible way of being able to test different waters. It’s
shown me abilities I have in areas such as presentation,
Case Study | 23
One of the things Cafferky found helpful was the WRAP
(Wellness, Recovery, Action Planning) programme which
was included in the Psychosocial course. It empowers
participants to research their own recovery plan and she
found it helped her understand herself, gradually coming
to the realisation that a return to social work was not for
her. “It was a hard pill to swallow. Now it’s a relief, to be
honest. It was burdening my health. I’ve got my sense of
humour back. Relationships are not as hard. My sense of
self has improved.”
After 18 months, Cafferky is looking forward to a new career when she graduates next spring and a holiday in Asia.
‘‘
“Two years ago, I was afraid of knowing who I was and what I needed. Now I have made goals for myself
– travel, a job, finishing the course and pursuing interests I
never thought I could be doing, like drama. In the future, I
would like to take up an arts programme part-time. Sinead
is back!” n
‘‘
Article © Rehab Group 2008. Not to be reproduced without permission.
leadership and organisational skills. It has reinforced
Pictured above: National Learning Network student Sinead Cafferky.
abilities I had forgotten about and taught me consistency,
persistence and patience.”
I’ve met so many people from
so many different backgrounds.
It taught me life skills that
I didn’t have.
24 | Rehab News
| June 2008
forefront in responding to and driving
change in this sector in Ireland.
A new glossy, high-quality brochure
outlining Rehab Recycle’s services
has also been printed to coincide
with the launch of the website and
will be distributed to existing and
potential customers over the coming
weeks. The 24-page brochure
features photography taken at
Rehab Recycle facilities nationwide,
providing a unique insight into the
recycling process.
Pictured: Rehab Recycle employees watch the delivery of glass for recycling.
Rehab Recycle
To Get an Online
Makeover
W
E HAVE A WASTE
management
solution to suit
everyone’s needs,”
says Bob Rowat,
General Manager, Rehab Recycle,
with an air of confidence. He was
speaking to Rehab News as plans
were announced for a revamped
Rehab Recycle website. The new site,
www.rehabrecycle.ie, is due to be
unveiled this month.
Established in 1984 to primarily
create employment opportunities
for people with disabilities, Rehab
Recycle has grown to become an
Irish success story and a major force
in Ireland’s recycling industry. Part of
Rehab Enterprises, the commercial
division of the Rehab Group, Rehab
Recycle’s combined glass, can, paper
and waste electrical recycling facilities
now account for in excess of 100,000
tonnes of material each year. The
company has facilities in Dublin, Cork,
Galway and Navan in Ireland, and
Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
As environmental issues have
become increasingly more topical
and discussions around recycling and
waste management more urgent,
Rehab Recycle remains to the
“As Ireland’s leading premier
post-consumer waste recycler,
Rehab Recycle has unprecedented
experience in tailoring wastemanagement solutions to meet
the needs of our customers,” says
Rowat. “To every customer and
every job we bring a depth of
experience that is simply unrivalled.
So, whether a customer is looking
to recycle glass, electronic and
electrical waste, paper, expanded
polystyrene, cans, CDs or mobile
phones, we can sort it.” n
Did you know?
● Just
one recycled glass
bottle saves enough energy
to power a computer for
25 minutes.
● Every cubic metre bag of
expanded polystyrene can
eventually be recycled into
230 clothes hangers.
● Electronic waste accounts
for 70% of the overall
toxic waste currently found
in landfills.
● 75% of a tree harvested
for paper does not end up
as a paper product.
● Over 200 million bottles and
jars, 40 million cans and
4,500 tonnes of paper
were recycled by Rehab
Recycle in 2007.
News | 25
Pictured: Miss Ireland,
Bláthnaid McKenna,
who launched Car
Wash Day last year.
All
Washed
Up for
Rehab
Rehab, with the support of Top Oil, is looking for volunteers to help out on
the second annual Car Wash Day, which will take place around Ireland on
Saturday, 5 July.
V
olunteers are needed to wash cars
and clean windscreens in Top Oil depots and
retail outlets nationwide to raise money
for Rehab. Drivers will be asked to pay €8
for a car wash and €2 for a windscreen
wash and air freshener. Last year, the event raised a
whopping €15,000 and this year the aim is to beat
that and raise
€20,000.
Buckets, sponges
and squeegies
will be provided
so all you
need to bring
along is your
enthusiasm! n
Who to contact
For further information
please contact:
Leo Donaghy
National Fundraising Co-ordinator
Rehab Group
00353 1 205 7262
leo.donaghy@rehab.ie
26 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Corporate Training Service
Shows Employers the
Way Forward
I
n today’s cut-throat business world,
disability and diversity management present
challenges and new opportunities to employers,
particularly in light of new legislation. For forwardthinking companies, these developments can be
used to gain an indispensable competitive advantage.
It is into this business environment that National Learning
Network has announced details of its Corporate Training
Service. The service, formerly known as Orbis, has been
fully integrated into National Learning Network in recent
weeks and joins the Assessment Service, Continuous
Professional Development Service and the Disability
Support Service under the new Department of Learning
and Assessment Services.
“Through a network of trained specialists and
consultants, National Learning Network’s Corporate
Training Service is specifically designed to meet the
individual needs of both public and private sector
companies, supporting them in dealing with the
challenges of disability and diversity in the workplace,”
says Helen Chan, Business Executive, Learning and
Assessment Services, National Learning Network.
Since 2002, the team has completed training and
consultancy projects for a wide variety of public and
private companies of all sizes. In addition to designing
and delivering disability, diversity, equality and bullying
and harassment awareness programmes, the team also
has extensive expertise in the development of equality
and disability policies and access auditing.
“Our role is to help employers in establishing best
equality practice in areas that include recruitment,
employee development and customer service,”
continues Chan. “We also ensure that employers are kept
fully informed of current legislation and are assisted in
implementing strategies designed to improve existing
policy and practices.” n
Who to contact
For further information please contact:
Helen Chan
Business Executive, Learning and Assessment Services
National Learning Network
00353 1 200 0120
helen.chan@nln.ie
News | 27
Portlaoise
Students
are Golden
Achievers
C
ongratulations to four students from
National Learning Network Portlaoise who
recently received gold An Gaisce awards from
President Mary McAleese. The four students
– Kate Gannon, Aileen Gardiner, William Lawlor
and Fraga Veighey – received the prestigious award in a
ceremony in Dublin Castle. This isn’t the first time that
National Learning Network students from Portlaoise have been presented with the accolade – Kevin Bambrick
from Abbeyleix also achieved gold in 2006.
‘‘
All four students thoroughly
enjoyed the experience and were
delighted to meet the President.
They now plan to become
President’s Award Leaders to help
other people get their awards.
Pictured: Former National Learning Network student Kevin Bambrick
from Abbeyleix with his gold President’s Award.
The awards work on the basis of a personal challenge
set by the participants. To earn the award, activities
in four categories – skill, community, physical and
adventure – must be completed. To get their gold
medals, the group members took part in a range of activities.
They learned computer skills and office procedures for
the skill challenge. For the community challenge, the
group did 60 weeks’ work placement. Kate worked in
the Sacred Heart Nursing Home in Kilkenny, where her
101-year-old grandmother is a resident, and Aileen
helped out in the library where her mother works.
William worked in the Parish Office and Fraga helped out
in the health centre where her colleagues presented her
with a gift for receiving her award.
For the physical challenge, they took part in a variety
of sports, including bowling, soccer, badminton and
basketball, with Fraga participating in events with
the Irish Wheelchair Association. According to Kate,
the adventure challenge was the hardest. The group
completed an 80km hike over four days in the Slieve
Bloom Mountains and stayed in a hostel for three nights.
All four students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and
were delighted to meet the President. They now plan to
become President’s Award Leaders to help other people
get their awards. n
For more information on the President’s Award,
visit www.gaisce.ie
‘‘
28 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Grist to the Miller – Rugby
Pictured: Eric Miller with reigning
Miss Ireland, Bláthnaid McKenna,
who herself took part in the
Flora Women’s mini marathon on
behalf of Rehab on 2 June.
News | 29
Star Lines Out for Rehab
Eric Miller is to represent Rehab in one of Ireland’s biggest sporting events
this year – the Lifestyle Sports Adidas Dublin City Marathon.
T
he former Ireland and Leinster star
will undertake the challenge this October.
Since retiring from professional rugby, Miller
has established his own personal training
business and sees representing Rehab in the
Dublin City Marathon as an opportunity to challenge
himself while supporting one of Ireland’s leading
charitable organisations.
Speaking to Rehab News about his decision to run
for Rehab, he says, “Running a marathon is a major
personal challenge but it’s made easier by the fact
that by representing Rehab there will be a very
worthy beneficiary and I hope to do them proud
come race day in October!”
Did you know?
● The
Lifestyle Sports Adidas Dublin City Marathon
was first run in 1980 by 2,100 competitors.
● Over
11,000 competitors are expected to race in
the 29th event this year.
● In
2007, it was won by Russian Aleksey Sokolov
who finished the race in a record time of
2:09:07.
● The
word “marathon” derives from the fabled
run of a Greek soldier, a messenger from the
Battle of Marathon.
● The
marathon was one of the original Olympic
events in 1896.
● The
official distance of 42.195 kilometers (26
miles 385 yards) wasn’t standardised until 1921.
● More
than 800 marathons are contested
throughout the world every year.
● The
world record time for men is 2:04:26 set
in the Berlin Marathon by Haile Gebrselassie of
Ethiopia on 30 September 2007.
● The
world record for women is 2:15:25 set in
the London Marathon by Paula Radcliffe of the
United Kingdom on 13 April 2003.
Commenting on the announcement, Angela Kerins,
Rehab’s Chief Executive, said, “We are thrilled that Eric has
agreed to fly the flag for Rehab and are delighted to have
him as an ambassador for our organisation. We wish him
the very best of luck in his preparations for the event and
will be supporting him all the way to the finish line.”
Further information and updates on Eric Miller’s
preparations and fundraising initiatives can be found on
the Running for Rehab page of the Rehab website or by
calling 00353 1 205 7200. n
Please make a donation – support Eric,
visit www.mycharity.ie/events/ericmiller
Pictured: Eric Miller who will
run for Rehab in the Dublin City
Marathon in October.
30 | Rehab News
| June 2008
The Future
Is Bright
TBG Learning’s innovative course
in painting and decorating allows
students to get strokes ahead...
Feature | 31
Y
oung people are painting their way
to a brighter future through TBG Learning’s
innovative course in painting and decorating.
The course, which started in 2005, trains 16
to 18-year-olds for a career in construction.
Students learn the tricks of the painting and decorating
trade, including surface preparation, health and safety,
and scaffolding.
Learning, the Construction Industry Training Board and
the Lambeth Local Strategic Partnership (“Lambeth First”)
which is addressing training and employment issues for
14 to 19-year-olds.
The course is run four days a week over 30 weeks at
the TBG centre in Brixton, South London. Students have
the opportunity to do a work placement with a local
employer and some secure employment in the process.
Around 70 young people will complete the painting and
decorating course this year.
The course is one of a range of “Entry to Employment”
(e2e) options on offer to young people who have
left school with few or no qualifications and are
unemployed. More than half of the young people who
completed e2e in 2007 progressed to further education,
employment or training such as an apprenticeship
programme.
Speaking to Rehab News, Abi Osho, Regional Manager of
TBG Learning South London, said, “The young people are
learning a trade where there are jobs emerging locally in
South London. They are getting a recognised qualification
that puts them in an excellent position to progress.”
While taking the foundation construction award
accredited by the Construction Industry Training Board,
students can claim a weekly allowance of up to £30.
TBG Learning’s courses help to boost the skills and
employability of disadvantaged social groups in the UK.
All of the e2e programmes include classes in literacy,
numeracy and IT and help young people to build their
confidence and to develop their interests. n
The course is taught by two industry experts who offer
professional and practical training in the trade. Classes
are held in specially-designed suites which include
cubicles where painting techniques can be perfected.
The facilities are a result of collaboration between TBG
‘‘
The young people are learning
a trade where there are jobs
emerging locally in South London.
They are getting a recognised
qualification that puts them in an
excellent position to progress.
Who to contact
For further information
please contact:
Maria Behrendt
Learning Centre Manager, South London
TBG Learning
0044 207 274 4106
mbehrendt@tbglearning.com
‘‘
32 |
Rehab News
|
June 2008
National
Learning
Network
Launches
New Prospectus
Pictured above: The new
National Learning Network
prospectus which provides
information on all of the
organisation’s courses
nationwide.
National Learning Network has recently
launched its new prospectus detailing
the 73 vocational and rehabilitation
courses available at its centres in some
25 counties nationwide.
t
he trAining AnD
education division of the
Rehab Group, National
Learning Network is
Ireland’s leading provider of
inclusive training, inclusive education
and employment access services. In
2006, over 80 per cent of National
Learning Network learners who
completed their courses progressed
to jobs or to further education and
training.
funded skills development course
in areas such as IT, business, arts,
catering or employer-based training,
or a personal development and
career development course funded
by the Health Service Executive.
There’s something for everyone!
The prospectus also provides details
on the individual courses found
in each centre, including a list of
modules, course duration and the
certification received on completion.
From Lifford in County Donegal to
Bantry in West Cork, National Learning
Network centres provide people
with disabilities and others who are
marginalised with skills they need to
build lasting careers in jobs that reflect
their interests and abilities.
In addition, there’s information
on National Learning Network’s
assessment service, mental health
services, training and education
supports, services to employers and
much more.
The 108-page prospectus includes
a colour-coded grid that allows
prospective learners to find, at
a glance, the course they are
interested in, whether it is a FÁS-
The prospectus can be downloaded
from the National Learning Network
website at www.nln.ie or copies can
be obtained from your local National
Learning Network centre. n
Who to contact
For further information
please contact:
Dawn Duffin
Manager, Learning and
Assessment Services
National Learning Network
00353 1 200 0155
dawn.duffin@rehab.ie
News | 33
Conference to Explore
Recovery in Mental Health
A
conference to investigate the benefits of the recovery
model in mental health services will be held by National Learning
Network and RehabCare in the autumn. “Partners in Recovery:
A Community Conference on Wellness and Recovery” will take
place in Galway on 16 October.
The conference will be of interest to all those involved in mental health
recovery. Everyone in the community, including people using mental health
services, their family members and advocates, mental health service
providers, Group staff, educators and business leaders are invited to attend.
The conference will be facilitated by Stephen Pocklington, Director of the
USA-based Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery, who is an
internationally-recognised leader in promoting wellness and recovery in
mental health services.
Pocklington has worked in the area of mental health for over 21 years.
He has experienced mental health and substance challenges in his
own life and he has led the development of the WRAP (Wellness,
Recovery, Action Planning) model of recovery. He will examine
what recovery can mean when you look at the world
through the lens of “wellness” rather than through the
lens of “illness”. Pocklington will also explore the five
key concepts of recovery and the processes involved
in the WRAP model: hope, personal responsibility,
education, self-advocacy and support.
For further information, log on to
www.rehab.ie. n
34 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Pictured left: The
NRAC National
Committee (back
row, left to right)
Patrick Hargadon,
Jimmy Dooner,
Michael O’Brien,
(middle row,
left to right) Alice Jackman,
Bernard McGrath,
Simon Buggy,
(front row,
left to right)
Catalina Keys
and Geraldine
Harrington.
Together Is Better
As part of a series of articles on advocacy within the Rehab Group, Rehab News
takes a look at the National RehabCare Advocacy Council’s Rules Project which
will update and enhance the Council’s existing rules and principles of practice.
T
HERE IS A STRONG CULTURE OF ADVOCACY
within the Rehab Group. There are
representative organisations for persons
using our services, such as the National
RehabCare Advocacy Council (NRAC), the
National Representative Council (NRC) in National
Learning Network and the service user representative
organisations in Momentum and in The Chaseley Trust.
Sarah-Jane Dillon is the Rehab Group’s Director of Policy
and Co-ordination and it is part of her job to support and
develop advocacy within the Group. It is important that
the representative organisations are supported in this
way because it will help them to work with the service
providers, while being separate.
Dillon told Rehab News that she is “enjoying working
with others to further strengthen advocacy within all
areas of Rehab”. She says that her vision of advocacy is
one which “gives people using our services a voice and
enables them to access the supports, information and
entitlements they require and in so doing increase each
person’s independence”.
The NRAC Rules Project
One example of the advocacy initiatives currently
underway is NRAC’s Rules Project. NRAC is the
representative council of people who attend RehabCare
services throughout Ireland and consists of elected
representatives who are responsible for putting forward
Feature | 35
the views of the people they represent in their local
centre and at regional and national levels. Its work
ensures that the people using RehabCare services are
involved in all decisions about the service they receive.
At local level, NRAC works on issues that affect its
members’ local services while the National Committee
co-ordinates the Council’s activities, takes part in internal
consultations and works with external groups on issues
of mutual interest.
The Council works to support people in getting to know
their rights and in inputting into RehabCare’s decisions,
making it very important that NRAC runs as well as
possible. With an open membership of over 2,600
people and representing people with different views,
it is essential that NRAC works together to ensure it is
representative of its members.
As part of the strengthening of NRAC, the Council has
set about updating its working rules. The Rules Project
was initiated at a special NRAC seminar in February,
attended by members from across Ireland. Welcoming
the 100-plus delegates, Patrick Hargadon, Chairperson of
the National Committee, explained that the aim of the
seminar was to hear people’s opinions on the theme of
What NRAC means to me...
The seminar buzzed with ideas about what NRAC
means to its members and what they wanted it to
achieve in the future:
‘Speaking out – getting your point across.’
● ‘Have a voice.’
● ‘Make sure things happen.’
● ‘Give you self-confidence.’
● ‘To help be an equal part of the community.’
● ‘Everyone has a say.’
● ‘Getting things done.’
●
“Working Together”. He emphasised that everybody’s
input is important “so we can move forward and
network together for the future”.
The seminar offered an opportunity for a cross-section of
NRAC members to discuss how they could work together
more effectively and for the assembled members to
develop a clear direction for the organisation. There was consensus that a clear set of rules would
ensure that NRAC could best achieve it objectives.
Members wanted to increase awareness of how NRAC
is run, improve communication between people in the
Council and strengthen the regional structure.
It was agreed that draft principles for working together
would be written down, so that everyone can contribute
to them as they take shape. Armed with the opinions
expressed at the seminar, a committee comprising
National Committee and general members was
established. Using all the information from the seminar,
they are now tasked with producing a document
containing the key principles of working together for NRAC.
The committee’s work is well underway and it has already
come up with suggestions to update the aims of the
Council and how it can continue to be representative
of all its members. In order to consult with the wider
membership and gather more suggestions the draft
document will be discussed at four NRAC regional
meetings in the summer. The final document will then
be discussed and voted on at the NRAC AGM and annual
seminar in November.
The NRAC Rules Project is part of a bigger project in the
Rehab advocacy network and future issues of Rehab
News will profile other representative organisations
within the Rehab Group. n
Who to contact
For further information please contact:
Michelle Joyce
National Development Officer
NRAC
One voice for all
00353 42 932 8766
michelle.joyce@rehabcare.ie
36 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Pictured (left to right)
at the charity auction
for The Chaseley Trust’s
Diamond Jubilee Appeal
are Guest of Honour, the
Lord Lieutenant of East
Sussex, Mrs Phyllida
Stewart-Roberts, The
Chaseley Trust’s Chief
Executive Sue Wyatt,
Trustee Kate Gammon and
celebrity auctioneer Pippa
Deeley.
Going! Going! Gone!
T
he Chaseley Trust’s Diamond Jubilee
Appeal is about to come to a grand finale as the
annual Garden Party and the fundraising target
of £500,000 draws closer. The appeal, which
was launched in May 2006 by Appeal Patron,
His Grace, the Duke of Devonshire, has seen a wide
variety of fundraising events, the latest of which was a
charity auction in February.
BBC’s Bargain Hunt presenter Pippa Deeley presided over
the sale of a range of desirable lots with something for
everyone, including a Manchester United shirt signed
by Rio Ferdinand, an exclusive tour of the Duke of
Devonshire’s Chatsworth estate, tea for two in the House
of Commons and a Virgin hot air balloon flight. Trading
was brisk and the auction raised a magnificent £5,089 to
bring the appeal total to £473,533.
Following the event, the Guest of Honour, the Trust’s
President, the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mrs
Phyllida Stewart-Roberts, visited Chaseley to view
the progress of the Diamond Jubilee project, and very
kindly made a donation to the appeal fund. Phase
one of the project has been completed with some
major renovations and the creation of a new area for
the computer activity centre. Phase two, involving
the expansion of the therapy department and social
activities areas, is now underway and it is hoped the
appeal can be officially closed at the Garden Party in June.
The appeal itself has made the shortlist of three charities
in the category Best Local/Regional Campaign at the
Institute of Fundraising Awards. The winner will be
announced at the Institute’s national awards ceremony in
London in July. Well done to fundraiser Christine Ellis and
everyone who has worked so hard to make the appeal
such a success! n
Who to contact
For further information please contact:
Christine Ellis
Fundraiser
The Chaseley Trust
0044 1323 744 390
chrise@chaseleytrust.org
News | 37
Rehab Radio Bingo
a Clear Winner
Did you know?
R
ehab Radio Bingo has been a great success on local
radio stations around Ireland. Hundreds of thousands of euro have
been given away in prize funds and the game has proved popular
with players of all ages.
Games are played every weekday, with a daily prize of €300 on offer.
There’s a jackpot of €3,000 each week and, if it’s not won, it increases by
€500 and rolls over until it is won.
One lucky family from Athy recently completed a hat trick of wins with
Rehab Radio Bingo and Kfm in Kildare. Tracey Perse scooped the jackpot
prize of €13,200 a few weeks after her mother had won €1,000. Not only
that, but her aunt matched the jackpot just a few months earlier. n
●B
ingo
originates from an
Italian game – “Lo Giuocu del
Lotto D’Italia” – which has
been played since the 1500’s.
● I t
spread to France as “Le
Lotto”, played by wealthy
Frenchmen in the late
1800’s and on to Germany,
where children played it for
educational purposes.
● I t
arrived in America in 1929
as “Beano” because players
would place a dried bean over
the numbers matched on their
card.
●A
New York toy salesman,
Edwin S. Lowe, came across
the game and realised its
potential.
●A
t
a party to trial Lowe’s new $1 game, a player called
out “Bingo!” and the name
stuck. Today, it is also popular
online.
Who to contact
For further information please contact:
Pictured above: (left to right) Noel Shannon, Kfm presenter, Mary Perse and Tracey Perse,
winners of Rehab’s Radio Bingo, Joanne Eakins, Rehab Bingo, and Clem Ryan, General
Manager, Kfm.
Your Local Rehab Radio Bingo Station
East Coast FM
KCLR FM
● KFM
● LMFM
● Midlands 103FM
Ocean FM
Radio Kerry
● Shannonside Northern Sound
● Tipp FM
● WLR FM
●
●
●
●
Joanne Eakins
Sales Manager
Rehab Lotteries
00353 87 254 4471
jeakins@rehablotteries.ie
38 |
Rehab News
|
June 2008
Disability
Let’s get strategic!
It’s an interesting time in the disability sector in Ireland. The National
Disability Strategy (NDS) was introduced in 2004 and is now starting to bring
real change into the lives of people with disabilities. Here, Rehab News
brings you on a whistle-stop tour of the developments which have taken
place over the last 12 months.
The National Disability
Strategy has five key pillars:
What are government
departments up to?
1 The Disability Act 2005
2 The Six Sectoral Plans
3 The Citizen’s Information Act 2007
4 The Education for Persons with Special
Educational Needs Act 2004
5 A plan for multi-annual funding of services for
people with disabilities
Ever wanted to get into the minds of policymakers
and find out what they are planning? Six
government departments have published documents
describing the services they provide to people
with disabilities, what they plan to do and how
people can make complaints about the services
that they receive. Here are just some of the plans
that they outline:
Feature | 39
The six government
departments which are
required to develop Sectoral
Plans are:
1 Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
2 Enterprise, Trade and Employment
3 Environment, Heritage and Local Government
4 Health and Children
5 Social and Family Affairs
6 Transport
A place to call home
Access to housing which meets their needs has
been a constant challenge for many people with
disabilities. The Department of the Environment,
Heritage and Local Government is working to change
this and has set up a working group to develop
a National Strategy for Housing for People with
Disabilities. It is hoped that this will lead to far better
housing provision for people with disabilities.
Let’s get to work
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and
Employment’s plan is to develop a strategy for
employment which would see more than 7,000
people with disabilities enter the workforce before
a deadline of 2010. This strategy is being developed
in consultation with organisations involved in the
disability sector.
On the move...
Without good transport links, getting where we
want to go can be very difficult. The Department
of Transport has begun work to make bus, train,
air and taxi services more accessible to people with
disabilities.
Supporting your advocacy needs
Everyone should have the opportunity to have their
voice heard. In recent years, the Citizens Information
Board (formerly Comhairle) has been working hard to
improve the advocacy services available to people with
disabilities. In early 2007, the Oireachtas passed an Act
called the Citizens Information Act which will provide
for a person with a disability who really needs help to
get the services of a personal advocate. The service,
which will be run by the Citizens Information Board,
will be rolled out in the coming months.
Keeping an eye on
the policymakers!
When the NDS was being developed there was
strong involvement by the organisations in the
disability sector. Now that it has been introduced,
it is important to make sure that there is a way to
continue this involvement in the monitoring of the
implementation of this plan.
Here’s how the
monitoring works…
Setting a good example
We all know that increasing the employment of
people with disabilities requires everyone to play
their part but there is nothing like government
showing a good example. Part five of the Disability
Act 2005 requires all public sector employers to ensure
that three per cent of their employees are people
with disabilities. Over the next few years, each
government department will have to report on
progress in relation to this.
At national level, the National Disability Stakeholders’
Monitoring Group (NDSMG), which is made up
of senior government officials and the Disability
Stakeholders’ Group, keeps a keen eye on the
implementation of the NDS.
What are your needs?
In June 2007, the Health Service Executive launched
its Independent Assessment of Need process. Initially,
this will give a statutory right to children under five
with a disability to have an assessment of their needs.
This will be extended to every person with a disability
by 2011. In order to make sure that these assessments
are carried out in a standardised way, the Health
Information and Quality Authority has developed
standards to guide this process.
Each of the six government departments
required to provide a sectoral plan has also set
up a committee to consult and communicate
with people with disabilities and their representative
groups.
The Disability Stakeholders’ Group, which is
comprised of the big disability umbrella organisations,
ensures that the needs of people with disabilities
remain paramount.
The Rehab Group is represented through its
membership of the Not-For-Profit Business Association,
the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies and the
Disability Federation of Ireland. ■
40 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Focus on: Rehab’s Acquired
Brain Injury Services in the UK
Pictured above: Dr David Sollis (left), London and South East Regional Manager, Rehab UK, and Mark Harper MP (right),
UK Shadow Minister for Disabled People, at a brain injury seminar organised by Rehab UK in London’s City Hall.
A
cquired Brain Injury
(ABI) is the term given
to any injury to the brain
sustained during
a person’s life. The Rehab
Group provides a range of services
for people with a brain injury
and has developed a network of
services across Ireland and the UK.
In the UK, Rehab’s ABI services are
provided by Rehab UK in England
and Momentum in Scotland.
Rehab UK
Rehab UK operates three brain
injury centres – in Birmingham,
London and Newcastle – and
has just aquired a new service in
Northumberland (see page 6).
They provide a range of services
to support and assist people and
their families to deal with the
consequences of acquired brain
injuries which can include loss of coordination, poor memory, difficulty in
concentrating and poor planning
and organisational skills.
Rehab UK is widely recognised as
being at the forefront of providing
Feature | 41
Rehab UK’s latest innovation is the
Community Solutions programme,
which brings rehabilitation services
to people in their own home.
Research shows that communitybased outreach rehabilitation
can improve personal care
skills, cognitive functioning, selforganisation and psychological wellbeing. The individualised programme
was developed to assist clients
before, during or after vocational
rehabilitation and aims to promote
their independence within the local
community and improve health,
well-being and quality of life for
each person.
Momentum
Momentum is one of the leading
providers of rehabilitation and
training services in Scotland, having
pioneered the UK’s first specialist
service to help people with traumatic
brain injury to return to work in
1993. It provides specialist brain
injury rehabilitation programmes in
Grampian, Glasgow, North Ayrshire
and the Borders.
Through a focus on what each
individual can achieve and by
supporting them as they return to
work, Momentum’s services assist
people with a brain injury to live
independently and to move towards
employment or further training. One
of the people who has benefited
from this service is Tom Patterson.
Tom’s Story
In December 1999, Patterson was
returning from mountain climbing in
the Southern Highlands when his car
skidded out of control and crashed
into a tree. After a six-week-long
coma he had to deal with the effects
of a massive head injury which
completely transformed his life.
Patterson was 37, married with
two children and had been a
training director for the prestigious
Rainbow Room hairdressing salon in
Glasgow but when he came out of
his coma he wasn’t able to walk or
talk properly.
He was referred to Momentum’s
Pathways service based in Ayrshire
Central Hospital in Irvine. It provides
specialist training and support for
adults with a brain injury who
wish to return to work or to go
on to further education. Patterson
attended one-to-one meetings and
group sessions which assisted him
in further developing his confidence
and communication, problemsolving and teamwork skills. He also
received job coaching and undertook
a voluntary work placement with
the British Heart Foundation where
he worked for six months before
taking up a full-time college course.
Patterson credits Momentum
with helping him to get his life
back on track.
‘‘
The impact has been
life-changing and I
don’t feel alone any
more. As one window
closes, another opens.
‘‘
unique ABI-specific services. In
March, as part of the UK’s Brain
Injury Week, Rehab UK organised
a brain injury seminar to showcase
its services to local businesses and
people working in education. At the
seminar in London’s City Hall, Mark
Harper MP, UK Shadow Minister for
Disabled People, said, “For those
people who have a severe injury, it’s
important that the government finds
ways to support organisations like
Rehab UK that provide specialist help,
without changing the essential things
that make the charity what it is.”
Connections and is working as a
coach and therapist, helping other
people achieve their goals and reach
their potential. With his life now
moving in a more positive direction,
he is looking forward to his future.
“I enjoy life every day and am now
fulfilling my potential”. n
“Momentum helped put structure
back into my life. The impact has
been life-changing and I don’t feel
alone any more. As one window
closes, another opens. I was in a
prestigious job and lost everything
but this gave me even more drive.
By having rehabilitation, I realised
I wanted to help other people
because I have a vast amount of
life experience and people open
up to me.”
Patterson has now set up his
own business called Mind Body
Pictured above: Former Momentum client
Tom Patterson.
42 | Rehab News
| June 2008
|
Feature
Rehab
Recycle
Goes Back
to School
I
T MAY NOT BE SEPTEMBER, but it’s back to
school time already for Rehab Recycle as it
spearheads an innovative WEEE Ireland campaign
that aims to raise recycling awareness and increase
collection levels of small household waste electrical
and electronic equipment (WEEE) among schoolchildren
of all ages. Best of all, every participating school in the
awareness campaign receives a free recycled computer,
refurbished by Rehab Recycle.
Since the launch of the Schools Awareness Campaign by
WEEE Ireland in April 2006, Rehab Recycle presenters have
travelled the length and breadth of the country, visiting a
staggering 700 schools at primary and post-primary levels.
Pictured above: Computers are dismantled as part of the
refurbishment process by (left to right) Pauline Brady and
Ann Conroy.
In addition to receiving a free refurbished computer,
participating schools each get an hour-long presentation
on electronic and electrical waste recycling with all
students receiving free goodies, including magnets,
pens, pencils and bookmarks. What’s more, Rehab
Recycle also disposes of small electrical appliances such
as kettles, toasters and hairdryers collected from pupils
during the visit to the school. So far, over 60 tonnes of
WEEE have been recycled from schools and this figure
continues to grow.
However, the Rehab Recycle team isn’t about to rest
on its laurels – there are still 2,000 schools to go!
And it’s not just primary and secondary schools that
are being targeted in the campaign. Rehab Recycle
has also visited Trinity College Dublin during the
University’s ‘‘Green Week’’ last February, informing staff
and students of the benefits of waste electronic and
electrical recycling. A staggering 17.5 tonnes of waste
equipment was collected from the university during
that week alone.
Pictured above: James Graham tests the monitor of a refurbished
computer.
According to Martin Reddy, WEEE Recycling Manager
with Rehab Recycle, the WEEE Ireland Schools Awareness
Campaign hopes to visit more universities, third level
colleges and community groups in the coming months,
in fact, anywhere where people may have an interest in
recycling. So, keep an eye out for the team, they could be
coming to a place near you! n
News | 43
Athlete Takes Her
‘‘Sporting Chance’’
Pictured above: Amanda Crotty, a student on National Learning Network’s “Sporting Chance” programme in Tralee, receives her
“Irish Blind Sports Athlete of the Year 2007” award from Frank Murphy of Irish Blind Sports (left) and Colm Murray of RTÉ (right).
A
participant on National Learning
Network’s “Sporting Chance” programme in
Tralee was recently named Irish Blind Sports
Athlete of the Year 2007.
Amanda Crotty had an excellent year in 2007 with a
number of outstanding successes. The most notable
of these was at the May Games International Event in
Dublin where she won two gold medals in the 800 and
1,500 metres.
A former medallist at the Blind Sports European
Athletics Championships, Crotty took bronze in the
Pentathlon in 2001. This event, which took place
in Poland, consists of the 100 metres, 800 metres,
long jump, shot put and discus. Crotty is also an
accomplished mainstream athlete and competes with
her club Youghal in Co. Cork. She has achieved success
in the Cork Cross-Country Championships and is a
consistent medal winner at the Cork County Senior
Track and Field Athletics Championships, most recently
winning bronze in last year’s 1,500 metres. She has
achieved personal best times of 6.28 for the 1,500
metres and 3.04 for the 800 metres. Crotty has also
won county and Munster medals for the shot put and
discus and an All-Ireland Cross-Country Championship
at under-16 level with Youghal.
She is currently training hard in Fels Point Leisure
Club while attending the “Sporting Chance” course
with National Learning Network in Tralee during the
week and training with her home club Youghal at
weekends. When she finishes her course in April
2009, Crotty would like to forge a career as either
an athletics coach or a gym instructor/personal trainer.
She is also working towards participating in the 2012
Paralympics in London. Good luck to Amanda from
all at Rehab! n
44 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Learning to Learn
Have you ever sat in a lecture wondering what
on earth the lecturer was talking about and
fighting your every urge to nod off?
A
new pioneering PROGRAMME developed
by National Learning Network in partnership
with the Institutes of Technology in
Blanchardstown (lead partner), Carlow
and Tallaght, may be the answer to your
problems and to the problems encountered by many third
level students. Entitled “Learning Style Theme”, it helps the
colleges’ students identify their learning styles and adapt
the way they learn to improve their performance.
Everybody learns in different ways. While one person may
learn well using visual aids, another may be better served
by a course based on class discussions and the spoken
word. Interestingly, most people learn naturally through
practical tasks.
The role of the lecturer in supporting the student to
achieve the best possible outcomes is well-recognised.
This programme is innovative because it also works with
lecturers to investigate how they learn themselves and
analyses how they deliver courses. They are introduced to a
variety of new tools to adapt their course materials to meet
the specific needs of each group of students and to ensure
their courses are enjoyable.
The initiative has been extraordinarily successful
after only two semesters with considerable improvements
in both achievement and attendance levels. One lecturer,
recognising that members of her class were primarily
visual learners, replaced the traditional essay with
an experimental photo journal. Another included an
online competitive forum, encouraging student
engagement beyond the classroom. Yet another
lecturer altered her PowerPoint slides to make maths
more attractive to students.
Administered by the Higher Education Authority,
this project is just one scheme funded under the
Strategic Innovation Fund which will provide €525
million between 2006 and 2013 to support new
approaches to enhancing quality and effectiveness
within higher education and research.
Seems like grabbing 40 winks in lectures might
be a thing of the past! n
Who to contact
For further information
please contact:
Dawn Duffin
Manager, Learning and
Assessment Services
National Learning Network
00353 1 200 0155
dawn.duffin@rehab.ie
News | 45
Pictured above: Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP (centre) with STAR Award winners (left to right) Joe Smith,
Christina Graham, Shena Goodall and Stephen Goodall from Haven Products in Inverness.
Deputy First Minister
Visits Haven in Inverness
S
taff at Haven Products in Inverness
were given the opportunity to show off
their work skills when they received a visit
from Scotland’s Deputy First Minister
Nicola Sturgeon MSP recently. During a
tour of the facility, the Minister spoke with staff
about what their job entails and she even gave a
helping hand! Following this, she presented the
Social Enterprise Coalition – Enterprising Solutions
Award and the Social Firms UK STAR Award to four
members of staff. Speaking following the event, she
said, “Congratulations to Haven Products on receiving
these awards. They highlight the positive impact
organisations like Haven can have on the health and
well-being of employees.
“The Scottish government believes the third sector
has the ability to play an increasingly significant role
in Scottish society and in the economy. We want to see
social enterprises and other third sector organisations
operating in a business-like way, generating sustainable
income through trading and, at the same time,
delivering excellent services. Haven is an excellent
example of a social firm doing this.” n
46 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Pictured above: Lord Dholakia beats Mark Harper MP en route to the first corner.
Media Storms to Victory in Rehab UK
Parliamentary Pancake Race
I
Newman, ITN’s Political Correspondent Libby Wiener, and
Sky News’ Political Correspondent Joey Jones. The Lords
team came a close second beating the MPs and event
sponsors team, British Lion Eggs. The race is organised
every year by Rehab UK to raise awareness of the work
it does with people with acquired brain injury.
The media team comprised BBC Political Editor Nick
Robinson, Channel 4’s Political Correspondent, Cathy
Speaking after the event, Iwan Thomas MBE, said, “After
an exciting pancake race at Westminster, I travelled
back to Rehab UK’s London centre. I spent quite a while
there as part of the post-race celebrations, talking with
members of staff and current service users. I was very
impressed with the centre and its work and with the
warm and friendly feeling from staff and service users
t was all down to their “brilliant frying
pan handling technique” according to race starter
and Olympic medallist, Iwan Thomas MBE. That
was the key to a team of political journalists
beating off stiff competition from MPs and Lords
to be crowned Rehab UK Parliamentary Pancake Race
champions. The race, which took place on Pancake
Tuesday in the shadow of the Houses of Parliament in
Westminster, was refereed by actress Sophie Thompson,
formerly of EastEnders, who read out the Rules of
Engagement to participants.
News | 47
This year’s event focused on the launch of a new
community integration service at Rehab UK’s London
Brain Injury Centre, designed to help people to live
as independently as possible, both socially and
economically, within their own communities.
Speaking to Rehab News, Ian Welsh, Director of UK
Services for the Rehab Group, said, “Brain injury can
have a devastating impact on people, leaving them with
behavioural and speech difficulties, reduced mobilisation
‘‘
Brain injury can have a
devastating impact on people,
leaving them with behavioural
and speech difficulties, reduced
mobilisation and varying degrees
of independence. However, the
development of a new service
user-driven community integration
service at our London Brain Injury
Centre will transform lives forever.
‘‘
alike. It is a fantastic service that Rehab UK is providing
and I was proud to be asked to become involved in
helping to promote their work.”
and varying degrees of independence. However, the
development of a new service user-driven community
integration service at our London Brain Injury Centre will
transform lives forever. This new service is about providing
an alternative to residential and centre-based services and
reducing the social exclusion of people with brain injury.
We do this by enabling people to take control of their lives
and maximising their participation in society.
“Our teams of psychologists and community rehabilitation
workers provide practical and social support to people
with brain injury, supporting their personal development
and activities of daily living like cooking, budgeting,
shopping, travelling, and so on. We also help to enhance
people’s communication and social skills, as well as their
emotional and relationship development. This year, the
London Brain Injury Centre aims to provide this service to
100 people and to extend it in future to include learners
with learning difficulties and disabilities and young people
in their late teens.”
Pictured above: The BBC’s Political Editor Nick Robinson wins the
race for the media team.
It is anticipated that this service will be introduced at
Rehab UK's brain injury centre in Birmingham later in the year. n
48 | Rehab News
| June 2008
My Working Day
Kay Keelan is the
Credit Controller for
National Learning
Network at Head Office
in Dublin.
I
share an office with
Nora McDonald, Creditors
Co-ordinator, and we start around 7.45am with
a quick chat over coffee and biscuits. I see my
job as a resource to centres and Head Office. The
first thing I do is check my emails. You’d be surprised
how many people work late so I try to reply promptly.
I check queries with regional and centre bookkeepers
and liaise with my counterparts in RehabCare and Rehab
Enterprises. I’m quite task-oriented but I also enjoy
dealing with so many wonderful people.
The arrival of the post is my big thrill of the day – I love
getting the money in! I prepare a bank lodgement and
write up my cash receipts book. I follow up unpaid
invoices and set up new accounts. We have to follow
quality standards to ensure information is complete and
that we account for everything. Then mid-morning, Nora
and I have a coffee and pastry at our desks.
Finance’s work culminates in the year-end accounts,
finishing in late January. Then the auditors come in for six weeks. Month-end is always very busy too but doing the bank reconciliations is one of my favourite
tasks – so orderly. Nora and I have a brief lunch-break and listen to
political developments on the radio – we’re on opposite sides!
Once, Nora and I did a parachute jump for Rehab. It was brilliant fun, though the high wind took Nora off
the plane’s wing before she could count 1-2-3! I found
the sensation of falling through the sky heart-stopping
– the pull of the parachute brought out a bit of a swear
word but the rest was wonderful, only too short.
I’ve worked for Rehab for 26 years. I’ve great admiration for how it’s developed. Back then, we
produced goods; in National Learning Network now the focus is on training and is completely client-centred.
I try to ensure that monies come in on time because
we rely on our funding to carry on the fantastic work
done in our centres. I try to finish work by 5.30pm and go home to my three cats and my garden, which is a great source of relaxation. n
My Working Day | 49
Jenny Brewer is an
Acting Sister in The
Chaseley Trust in
Eastbourne.
Chaseley was set up for ex-service personnel
but, in the last ten years, we have moved to
taking people with neurological conditions and
acquired brain injury. There’s a 70:30 ratio of men
to women, ranging in age from 19 to 97 from all
across the country.
he Chaseley Trust is
divided into two floors and
I’m Acting Sister for the
first floor which has 29 residents. If I’m on an
early shift, I start with a handover from the night
staff at 7am. The day staff does the morning drug round
and changes dressings. I allocate the carers, taking into
account what’s in the residents’ diary for the day – social
engagements, visitors and hospital appointments – and
discuss any issues that have come up overnight. A GP
visits every day so we have to be ready to address any
problems. Every six months we have a full review of care
which involves staff preparing reports on each resident.
Training and ensuring our nursing development
is up to date is very important here. It’s an
extremely supportive environment. Everyone
pulls together and we take great pride in our
work.
T
There’s an Air Show each August and the staff fight over who works that weekend as Chaseley has a view the nearby Grand Hotel would kill for! Last year the
Tornado Pilots came in to see us as we’re linked to the
Veterans’ Association.
I’ve worked at Chaseley for three years. I heard about it from my daughter, who is a carer here. I like my job because it’s challenging – you can’t get away from that – but it’s rewarding because you build up a relationship with each resident.
In a hospital, once someone is discharged, you
rarely hear of them again. Our longest resident
was here for over 45 years.
I get home around 3pm. Both my daughters
are getting married this year so it’s just me, my
husband and the dogs, which I sometimes bring
to work. The residents love to see them. n
50 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Bulletin Board
Local People of the Year Awards
People of the Year Awards have taken place
around the country recently. Ceremonies in
Athlone, Cavan, Galway, Leitrim, Longford,
Louth and Wexford, recognised the positive
contribution to local life made by individuals
and groups. Congratulations to all the award
winners!
Longford
Liam Mulvihill (right) at the Longford People of the Year Awards
with Frank Turner (left) of the Turner Printing Group. Mulvihill
received an award for his long-standing and enormous contribution
to the GAA.
Galway
David Lohan (left) of Lohan’s, Prospect Hill, presents
the Galway People of the Year Award to James Harris
(right) who was recognised for his dedicated work,
imagination and fundraising efforts for the most
vulnerable in society.
Donegal
The twelfth annual Donegal People of the Year Awards
took place in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny,
in March. Pictured are the winners (back row, left to
right) Paul McBride (joint winner with Alan Doherty
who could not attend), Noel Cunningham, Michael
Doherty, Margaret Toner, Dr Peter Sweeney and (front
row, left to right) Hugh Boyce, Phyllis McKenna, John
McGlinchey, Jim Whyte, Francis Porter and Hall of Fame
winner, Joseph McMenamin.
Wexford People of the Year Awards 2008
Pictured at the 2008 Wexford People of the Year Awards are
(front row, left to right) winners Bessy French, Frederica and
Servas Dodebier, Bishop Dennis Brennan and Nicky Furlong with
(second left) Shona Boyne, Director of Human Resources, Rehab
Group, (back row, left to right) Michael O’Leary, Chairman of the
organising committee, winners and members of Special Olympics
TEAM Ireland CWCW Enniscorthy: Patrick Hickey, Patrick Nolan,
Fintan Broaders, Darren Carr, James O’Connor, winner Bridgid
Cullen, David Tucker of sponsor the Wexford People, Stellagh
Sinnott who accepted an award on behalf of the Wexford All-Ireland Camogie Champions 2007, Councillor Dennis Kennedy,
Chairman of Wexford County Council, the principal sponsor, winner
Seamus O’Beirne and members of the organising committee:
Marie O’Connor, Liz Hore, Hugh Maddock and Michael Freeman.
Bulletin Board | 51
Cavan
Leitrim
The tenth annual Leitrim People of the Year Awards presentation
ceremony took place in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon in April.
Pictured are the winners (back row, left to right) Lucia Tyrrell, Angus
Dunne, Cllr Damian Brennan, the Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County
Council, Mary Doran, Sinead Brennan, John Toolan of the St Vincent
de Paul Society, Clarice Wynne, daughter of winner Maureen
MacNabola, and (front row, left to right) Hall of Fame winner
Coleen Guckian, Anthony Brennan, Eileen Magnier who compered
the event, P. J. and Kathleen McGarry, Mary McCrann, and Pat Goldrick of Leitrim Féile Committee 2007.
At this year’s biggest-ever Cavan People of
the Year Awards, Paddy Keaskeen (centre) is
presented with the Perpetual Award by Johnny
O’Hanlon (left), editor of the Anglo Celt, and
previous winner Shane Kitson (right). Paddy
Keaskeen was honoured for his dedicated
community work over several decades.
Staff Honoured in Gala Ceremonies
Rehab Group recently held its inaugural UK Long Service Awards in London and Glasgow to honour the
valuable and long-standing contributions of staff across the Rehab Group in the UK. Awards were given
for 10, 15, 20, 25 and, for the first time, the Outstanding Achievement Award for over 30 years of service.
The awards were presented by Rehab Group’s Chief Executive Angela Kerins and were followed by a
gala dinner. Congratulations to everyone who received awards.
pic to follow
2008 Glasgow – Outstanding Achievement Award
Angela Kerins with Fiona McLeod, who is Haven Products’
longest-serving employee. McLeod has worked for the
organisation for 41 years.
2008 London – Outstanding Achievement Award
Angela Kerins with Brian Mackenzie, TBG Learning’s Regional Health and Safety Advisor, who has worked for the organisation for 43 years.
52 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Bulletin Board
Anti-Racism and Intercultural Week
April 7–12 was Anti-Racism and Intercultural
Week and to celebrate it, several activities were
held in Roslyn Park College, Dublin. “Windows on Diversity”, a photographic exhibition of
specially-selected images from a collection by
SARI (Sports Against Racism in Ireland) was held.
The display featured over 20 striking pictures
taken by photographer Stephen de Paor at
various intercultural arts and sports events in
Ireland in recent years and proved a talking point.
The canteen at the college marked the week
with “A Taste of Five Continents” to promote a
greater understanding of the different cultures
now present in Ireland. Catering staff and
students worked enthusiastically together
to design and produce a fabulous menu that
represented a different continent each day,
with the delights of ostrich and crocodile from
Africa, and kangaroo from Australia on offer.
The event formed part of the Rehab Group’s
ongoing support for European Year of Intercultural
Dialogue.
Staff and students of Roslyn Park College’s catering programme who participated in “A Taste of Five Continents” for Anti-Racism and Intercultural Week (back row, left to right) Christine Fitzpatrick, Canteen Supervisor, Paul Byrne,
Instructor, Claire Keegan, Aisling O’Reilly, Catherine Byrne, Ann Marie Murray, Michelle Coughlan, Chef Tony Byrne and (front row, left to right) Stephen Lynch, Adrian Pey, Lee Donnelly, Liam Farrell, Ian Craig and Kevin Teehan.
Blooming Marvellous!
The garden in Naas General Hospital’s
Lakeview Unit is blooming after students
from National Learning Network in
Maynooth donated the plants and flowers
they grew on their horticulture course and
created some intricate mosaics. The newlook garden will bring some colour and
enjoyment to the hospital’s many patients
as well as staff and visitors as summer
approaches. The students’ horticulture and
mosaic work formed part of the FETACaccredited “Choices” programme.
(Left to right) Assumpta Hoban, Clinical Nurse Manager, Lakeview
Unit, Naas General Hospital, with Anne McCourt, Ann Bowes,
Nora Brophy, Fiona McCoy, Trainer in National Learning Network’s
“Choices” programme in Maynooth, and Dara Lakes.
Bulletin Board | 53
Paul Murphy and his daughter Sinead admire paintings in the Blyry Arts Studio
which was established by the National Learning Network in Westmeath.
Blyry Arts Studio Holds its Inaugural Exhibition
The Blyry Arts Studio in Athlone, which was established by National Learning Network last year, held
its first exhibition recently featuring the work of Karen Moran and Frank Seery. The studios were set up
to promote the positive role of the arts in mental health and well-being and are a resource for people
referred by the local community mental health team in Athlone who are interested in developing
themselves as artists. Artists are mentored by staff and artists in residence but work independently.
Our People in Havana
Five cycling enthusiasts have returned from Caribbean
shores after taking part in Momentum’s sponsored Cuba
Cycle Challenge. Their trip involved a 350-km bike ride
from the Atlantic coast in the north of the country to the
Caribbean in the south through orange groves and sugar
plantations. The event has been running for six years and
the five energetic participants raised the fantastic sum of
£7,052 and still counting.
Pictured (left to right) are Barbara Cartwright, Gordon Peters, Tim Wright and Jonathan Dransart.
54 | Rehab News
| June 2008
Bulletin Board
Pictured at the presentation of certificates
to 24 graduates at the Rehab UK brain
injury centre in Birmingham are graduate
George Kumar (left) and the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Randal Brew
OBE (right). George Kumar is now working
part-time with TK Maxx.
Pictured at the presentation of certificates to a group of graduates from
the National Learning Network centre in Tallaght are (left to right)
Sinead Meaney, Instructor, Daniel O’Reilly from Tallaght who received
a certificate in the “Connections” programme and Councillor Eamonn
Maloney of South Dublin County Council.
Amanda Keeling (centre) with tutors Vanessa Wightman (left) and Rebecca Carey (right). Amanda Keeling, who was one
of 150 clients who graduated from TBG Derby in April, was recognised as the “Outstanding Learner of the Year” on the
Jobcentre Plus New Deal training programme.
Bulletin Board | 55
Pictured at the graduation from the “Food Safety and You” course facilitated by the Health Service Executive’s Environmental
Health Service at RehabCare in Wexford are (back row, left to right) Peter Kehoe, J.J. Scallan, Sean O’Kennedy, Gordon
Rochford, Centre Manager, John Devlin, Helen O’Dowd, Ray Hennessy, Lee Colfer, Tina Sutherland, Annette Walsh and
(front row, left to right) Sue Codd of the Environmental Health Service, Elaine Dempsey, Mary Cronin, Matt Grogan of the
Environmental Health Service, Helen Staunton, John Thomas and Anne Deacon of the Environmental Health Service.
Pictured at the presentation of
certificates to graduates of the “Step
Forward” programme from the
National Learning Network centre
in Phibsboro are (back row, left to
right) Michael Breen, “Step Forward”
Instructor, Justin Falvey, Luke Kehoe,
Martin Quilty, Head of Guidance
Services, Health Service Executive,
and (front row, left to right) Frank
White, Conor Jordan, Rosie Quinn and
Michael Boyle.
Pictured at the presentation of certificates to graduates of the
“Choices” programme from the National Learning Network centre in
Ballyfermot are (back row, left to right)
John Doolin, Area Manager, National
Learning Network, Pam Clinton, Centre
Manager, Cyril Gibbons, Regional
Director, Martin McSorley, Guidance
Officer with the Health Service
Executive and (front row, left to right)
Sally Toner, Aidan McNamara, Lorraine
Craven, James Walsh and Peter Murphy.
56 | RehabNews
| June2008
Bulletin Board
Garden of Delights
StudentsofNationalLearning
NetworkinBantryarebuilding
acommunitygardenandart
park(right)atthecentrein
Donemarkaspartoftheir
studies.Itwillfeaturea250seatamphitheatreforpublic
performances,asensory
garden,includinginteractiveauditoryandsensory
areas,asculptureparkandasustainablelivingarea,includingavegetable
plot,andmanyotherfeatures.Theprojectisbeingundertakenthrough
aFÁSlocaltraininginitiativeinpartnershipwithanumberofexternal
agencies,includingCorkCountyCouncilandWestCorkArtsCentre.
TBG Learning and Momentum are
Top of the Class!
TBGLearninginNewhamandWestMidlandsandMomentum
Skillsaretopoftheclassafterreceiving“A”gradesinexternal
inspectionsrecently.
TBGLearningNewhamhadanexternalverificationvisitfrom
City&Guildsforthedeliveryofits“SkillsforLife”qualifications.
Theexternalverifierwasimpressedwiththestructureand
organisationofthecentreandtheassessmentscarriedoutbystaff.
CongratulationstoAggreyMango,SeniorTutor,andtheNewham
team.
TBGLearningWestMidlandshadanexternalverificationvisitfrom
theBritishComputerSocietyforthedeliveryoftheECDL(European
ComputerDrivingLicence)qualification.Theexternalverifiersaid,
“Thisisagood,well-establishedandwell-runcentre–excellent,
welldone!”
MomentumSkills,whichdeliversECDLatanumberofcentres
acrossScotland,wasawardeditssixthstraightAafterarecent
audit.CongratulationstoLizDay,CourseCo-ordinator,andall
thestaff.
CongratulationstoMichaelNoone
(above)fromRehabHeadOffice
whohasbeenawardedtwo
certificatesbyRehabRecyclein
recognitionofhistremendous
recyclingefforts.Overatwoyearperiod,fromJanuary2006
toDecember2007,RehabHead
Officerecycledanamazing46,470
kilogramsofpaperandcardboard,
saving232cubicmetresoflandfill
andastaggering789trees.Well
doneMichaelandallthestaffat
HeadOffice!
Bulletin Board | 57
A Dance to Entrance
A magical performance by dancers from
RehabCare in Lifford, Co. Donegal, entranced a
packed house in the Alley Arts Centre recently.
Their art movement piece, “Ultra Vision”, was
a stunning celebration of the arrival of spring
featuring puppets, stars, butterflies and clouds.
The show was part of a cross-border programme
involving members of the Glenside Adult Training
Centre in Strabane and funded by Strabane
District Council. To prepare for their moment in
the spotlight, the dancers had practised for weeks
with performance artists Norma Burrows and
Karen McLoughlin who also appeared in the show.
Street performers from the Poltergeist group also
took to the stage in this spell-binding event which
included mime, song and a wide repertoire of
music, from reggae and rap to pop music.
Pictured above: Gerald Foley, Chairman of Strabane District
Council, with the dancers. Below: “Ultra Vision”.
1
2
3
Competition 1: Crossword
1
2
3
8
4
5
9
10
96
Can youCan
spotyou
thespot
six differences
the six differences
betweenbetween
Spot
Spot
thethe
Difference
Difference
these
pictures?
two pictures?
Competition
2: Spotthese
6 two
Differences
7
10
11
11
12
12
13
14
15
13
14
15
16
16
20
17
18
19
19
22
21
23
All puzzles copyright Puzzler Media Limited, RH1 1EY - www.puzzler.co.uk
✁
Time Out
We have two midweek hotel breaks
to give away! Take some time out, put
4
5
6
7
your feet up and enter our competitions
to be in with a8 chance to win.
24
20
21
DOWN
ACROSS
2Explode, like a
1 Like a duck’s (feet) (6)
volcano (5)
5Pull-up window
ACROSS
3 Robber,
curtains (6)
1 ofLawman
in (4)
the Wild
West (7) (7)
housebreaker
8 Sound
a happy cat
9Wild 5andSnap
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sides (9)
flower (8)
deceives
(6-7)
container (3)
10Style9of Betrays,
slanting type
(6) 5 Cardboard
10 Housebreaker,
trespasser
(8) (5)
6 Eskimo home
11Fair-haired
woman (6)
12Operator
11 Rents out (4) 7 Shares out equally (7)
11 Chewy substance (9)
(of a computer) (4)
12ornamental
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apart (3,3,3)
like a 14Small
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sphere
16 (3)
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15Planet
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Mars 15Merely
(4)
17 Opening in a stage (8)
and Saturn (7)
16Shreds (cheese) (6)
19of Very
(13)
head-dress (5)
18Parts
a coat rich
collarwoman
(6) 17Glittering
19Written
20Pressing
and foldingpossession
21 Valuable
(5) slander (5)
21Frozen water (3)
(dough) (8)
22 Gardening chore
(7)
22Big brass instrument (4)
23Spin round (6)
24Group’s confidence (6)
Complete the crossword
correctly and be in with
a chance of winning a
midweek break for two
people sharing. The Best
Western Academy Plaza Hotel is
based in Dublin’s city centre. The elegant hotel boasts
285 stylish and contemporary deluxe bedrooms and
suites, all with Wi-Fi and interactive TV as standard.
Guests are welcome to unwind in the breathtaking Sir
Harry’s Bar or experience a taste of Asia in the Abacus
restaurant. This is the ideal hotel for any stay! See
www.academyplazahotel.ie
17 differences
18
Find six
in the pictures above
and stand a chance
to win a midweek
break in a Best
Western hotel of your
choice in Ireland.
22
Best Western International
welcomed Ireland into its
family of independentlyowned and operated hotels 30 years ago. In 2008
DOWN
Best Western has over
4,000 hotels worldwide and
20 hotels in Ireland. For
besttree
in short
breaks
2 the
Oak
seeds
(6)and
rates call R.O.I. 1800 709 101, N.I. 0800 328 7076,
3 Stopped feeling drunk (7,2)
UK 0800 393 130 (toll free) or visit www.bestwestern.ie
4 At the front (5)
6 Nurses’
employer
Simply complete the crossword
and/or
Spot the(inits)(3)
Difference
competitions, fill out the
entry
form
with
your
details
and
7 Bedding items (6)
send it to Rehab News competition, Communications
8 Rehab
Rehearsal,
practice
and Public Affairs Team,
Group, Roslyn
Park,(3,3)
Sandymount, Dublin11
4, before
1 August
2008.
Washed
(linen)
(9)
13 Sheep meat (6)
Name:
14 Red gemstones (6)
Address:
15 Child of uncle or aunt (6)
Contact number: 18 No longer asleep (5)
20 Tell porkies! (3)
Last Issue’s Winners
Spot the Difference winner - Dee Mehegan, Co. Cork
Crossword Competition winner - Deirdre Ahern, Co. Kildare
Solutions to last issue’s Crossword and
Spot the Difference
MAR S HA L
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ads_RN_April08.indd 1
12/05/2008 15:41:39
ads_RN_April08.indd 1
14/05/2008 10:51:34