Chairperson Report 3

Index

Composition of Board1 & 2

Day Care Centre4 & 5

Meals on Wheels 5

Social Services6 & 7

Community Physiotherapy Service 8

Chiropody Clinic 8

Care & Repair Report 9

Pre-School Report 10 & 11

Therapeutic Learning Centre 12

Extracts from Audited Accounts 2012 13 & 14

COMPOSITION OF BOARD

CHAIRPERSON:

Annette Lynagh – Annette is a native of Cork and has lived in Ballinasloe for 43 years. Her professional background is in education as a Home Economics teacher and she is a member of the Board for 20 years. She is currently starting her third year as Chairperson and she has served as Chairperson for a previous period from 1998 – 2000. Annette is a Company Director and a member of the Vetting Sub-committee.

VICE-CHAIRPERSON/TREASURER:

Jenny O’Sullivan – Jenny is originally from Mayo and has lived in Ballinasloe for 40 years. Her professional expertise comes from the banking sector and she has been a member of the Ballinasloe Social Services Board since 2003. Jenny is a Company Director, chair of the Audit Sub-Committee and a member of the Governance Sub-Committee. She is also a volunteer in our Day Services

SECRETARY:

Michael Lally –

Michael is a long standing member of the Board who became involved in the services in 1980 and was Chairperson for the period 1984 – 1986. He is a retired Secondary School teacher and qualified Counsellor. He is a member of the Vetting Sub-committee. He is a Company Director.

BOARD MEMBERS:

Eamon Lally – one of the original members of the Board since 1972, Eamon has been Chairperson for two periods from 1976 - 1983 and 2009 – 2011. He is a retired National School Principal and qualified mediator. He is a Company Director

Sr. Alacoque Gleeson – Sr. Alacoque is a Mercy Sister, who was Director of our Day Care Centre from 1982 – 2009 when she retired from her nursing post with the HSE. She has been on the Board since 1982 and was Chairperson from 2003 – 2006. She currently works in the HR department of MercySistersWesternProvince and is an active member of the local community.

Ann Kenny – Ann is a native of Ballygar and is a retired Public Health Nurse, having been based in Ballinasloe for most of her professional life. She is a member of the Board since 1976 and was Chairperson from 1993 – 1996.

Marie Staunton – Marie is a Chiropodist based in Ballinasloe. She has been a volunteer in our Day Centre and Tuesday Club and has been a Board member since 1982.

Martina Staunton – Martina is a housewife and an active member of the community, who has been a Board member since 2000. She volunteered with our Tuesday Club and was Chairperson from 2007 – 2008.

Margaret Oliver – Margaret is a retired NationalSchool teacher and has been a Board member since 2005. She is a Company Director and also a volunteer in our Day Centre.

Regina Power – Regina is Ballinasloe native and a NationalSchool teacher and has been a member of the Board since 2009. She is a Company Director.

Tess Raftery – Tess is originally from Tuam and is a retired Civil and Public Servant, having worked in Revenue and the Road Safety Authority. She has been a Board member since 2011, is a volunteer with our Day Services and a member of the Governance and Audit sub-committees

Padraig O’Ceithearnaigh – Padraig is from Ballinasloe and has been involved in Irish language activities all his life in the areas of teaching, youth and community development and finally as Assistant Director of Comhdháil Náisiunta na Gaeilge, the umbrella body of Irish Language voluntary organisations. He is now retired and has been a Board member since 2012. He is a member of the Governance sub-committee.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

Economically this year has been a difficult one for everyone in the country. Thankfully we survived this crises. We are grateful to our loyal supporters, the Sisters of Mercy, Lions Club, Soroptomists, Bridge Club and various other local organisations, our patrons and members, also our Limited Draw supporters, HSE West and people of Ballinasloe.

We thank Bernie Austin, Director of Nursing at St. Brendan’s, Loughrea for providing cover in the centre. We thank our nurses – who provide a happy environment and professional service which enables people to stay in their own homes.

Thanks to Dan Quaid, HSE West for his interest and support.

The centre is a very happy place to visit and long may it continue to be that way. We thank Teresa our Manager, Diana and Brendan, C.E. participants, students and in particular our loyal volunteers, who help with the smooth running of the centre. We have received funding to purchase a new Minibus and look forward to it being on the road in the near future.

Thanks to Kay and volunteers in the Meals and Wheels, who provide such nutritious meals daily.

The Pre-school and Therapeutic Learning Centre continue to thrive under the guidance of Elaine Murphy, Childcare Manager. We thank her and her staff for their commitment.

We are delighted to have Care and Repair Office on site. It’s a great service to the older people of Ballinasloe.

Finally we are proud of the way the services have developed over the years. We look forward with confidence to the future because of the fantastic support we receive from the many groups and people mentioned in this report.

Annette Lynagh

Chairperson

October 2013

DAY CARE CENTRE

Our Social Services Day Care Centre provides a safe and supportive environment in which we are committed to promoting the well being of our Clients, personally, socially, medically, psychologically and spiritually, and we will strive to improve our services on an on-going basis. At the beginning of this year the demand for our services was slow, but with the promotion of our services, our referrals have increased, and we are now back to full capacity, which we are very happy to report.

Our Nursing staff compliment each day consists of two Registered Nurses, one of which is provided by the H.S.E. for which we are very grateful and the other is our valued nurse employed by Ballinasloe Social Services, Anne Marie Moran. A comprehensive nursing assessment of the health needs and development of a plan of care is carried out. Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar level monitoring are provided as required. A daily programme of activities, including bingo, gentle exercises to music, computers, card playing, board games, art and crafts, puzzles and word wheel etc. provides our clients with opportunities for social and mental interaction with their peers.

Our treasured volunteers are vital partners in the provision of our services. Our success and accomplishments are directly attributed to their dedication. Without their help and assistance we would find it difficult to function. A successful volunteer’s morning was held on the 8th February 2013 in appreciation of their contribution to the Social Services. It was a very enjoyable morning. Thanks to Rosie Darragh for her computer classes and Claire Gibbons for her exercise classes.

We express our thanks to Kay and her team for providing delicious and nutritious daily meals for our clients.

We are fortunate to have the support of the following professionals. Ray Kelly, our visiting Chiropodist, provides a clinic on a monthly basis. Marian Dooley, our community Physiotherapist visits our centre on a regular basis and provides clients with an exercise programme tailored to their individual needs, all of which enhances our services greatly.

Brendan Canney and our transport staff are much appreciated for the prompt and safe service provided to our clients to and from the centre. We wish Mary Murray a happy retirement and welcome Marcella Whelan and Ann Tully onto the team. We also wish Kitty O’Brien a speedy recovery. We also thank Diana Walsh for all her input and commitment.

The highlight of each week is the music, song and dance, which takes place on Tuesdays. We thank our talented panel of Voluntary Musicians and singers, who provide our clients and staff with wonderful entertainment. Thanks also to the Loughrea Music Group who attend once each month.

A recent informative talk and demonstration on aids to assist people with hearing disabilities given by Edel from Deaf Hear.ie proved of interest to many of our clients. A volunteer is now available to assist clients, who are having difficulties with their hearing aids and devices.

Our annual outing to Knock Shrine took place in July which was successful and enjoyable. A total of 56 clients, volunteers and staff made the trip. We were blessed with beautiful summer

sunshine. A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all. The day ended with a delicious meal in Gullanes Hotel. Gratitude is expressed to the Lions Club for sponsoring the transport.

At present one of our valued members of staff is on sick leave, and our prayers and good wishes are with her, at this difficult time for herself and her family, and we hope she will be back with us before too long.

The centre is blessed to have a very good working team, of the staff employed by Ballinasloe Social Services, the H.S.E. and volunteers. They provide a lovely, caring and professional service for all who attend the centre.

Mary Martin

Staff Nurse

Day Care Centre

MEALS ON WHEELS

I wish to thank all our volunteer drivers (14 in total) who are Garda vetted and without whom our service would not function. A particular thank you to Mona Broderick who retired as a volunteer after over 20 years service.

I wish to thank Regina and Siobhan for their invaluable work in the kitchen. Congratulations to Siobhan and her husband Joe on celebrating their marriage during the year. Thanks also to Terry in the Community Information Centre for her assistance with Siobhan’s placement.

In 2012, we delivered 14,580 meals. The areas we cover are from Ahascragh in the North to Laurencetown in the South, across to Cappatagle in the East, up to Kilconnell and Fohenagh and anywhere inside this catchment area.

A word of gratitude is expressed to Una and Beechlawn Organic Farm for the regular donation of vegetables to our service. It is much appreciated.

During the year, we liaised with Cope Community Catering in Galway, where we both observed each other’s Meals on Wheels service. This was a very informative experience for both services.

Kay Cunningham,

MOW Co-Ordinator

SOCIAL SERVICES

We have come through another harsh economic year, perhaps not unscathed, but certainly in one piece and this is due in no small part to the fantastic support we have received from all sections of the community.

Our Annual Reports give us the opportunity to publicly thank our supporters. Many individuals supported us financially during the year by way of donations and we wish to express our sincere gratitude to them for their generosity. Groups and organisations also gave us their assistance, for which we acknowledge and thank, and they are listed as follows:

HSE West
MercySistersWesternProvince
Ballinasloe Flower Club
Ballinasloe Branch Vincent de Paul
Ballinasloe Lions Club
Ballinasloe Soroptomists
BallinasloeBridge Club
Ballinasloe Mother’s Union
BallinasloeCollege of Further Education
CreaghNationalSchool for St. Brigid’s Crosses
Square D Reunion Committee
Bank of Ireland Staff
Killeen’s of Shannonbridge
Alkermes
Keller’s Staff
Western Post Form
Brian Connaughton/Catherine O’Connor

To supplement our income, we must hold various fundraising events. Throughout the past year, we held the following:

October 2012: 40th Anniversary Tea Party
December 2012: Christmas Sale of Work, Knitting of Scarves, Tesco Bag Packing, Progressive 25 Card Game, Cash for Clobber
February 2013: Limited Draw
April 2013: Golf Outing, Easter Raffle & Cake Sale
June 2013: Flora Mini-Marathon
October 2013: Membership
Ongoing: Bonus Ball

We also have a major fundraising event – Celebrity Mock Wedding – organised by 2 staff members coming up on November 1st.

Again, many, many thanks to everyone who supported these fundraising initiatives.

I would like to thank the following for their assistance, co-operation and advice during the year:

Rory Nelson, Pensions Advisor
Joe Jordan, Solicitor
Liz McDonald, Galway Rural Development
Patricia Tierney, Training for Employment
Terry O’Hanlon, Community Information Centre
Dan Quaid, Community Development Officer, HSE

Last February, we said goodbye to Teresa Black who worked with me in the office. In March, we welcomed Jacinta Divilly to the centre.

We were delighted to be awarded a grant from the National Lottery Fund to replace our minibus. This new bus will be delivered to us in the very near future.

We published a new brochure in September which has been distributed throughout the Ballinasloe area.

We have signed up to the Code of Governance and Statement of Fundraising Principles and are currently putting the necessary procedures in place to comply with these principles.

Finally, I wish to thank my work colleagues, volunteers, clients, Social Services Committee and in particular Chairperson Annette Lynagh for their support, guidance and friendship over the past year.

Teresa Coughlan,

Manager

COMMUNITY PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICE

Statistics from 1st October 2012 to 30th September 2013:

Physiotherapist attended Ballinasloe Social Services Centre for 10 Mondays between 1st October 2012 and 30th September 2013.

Number of Social Services’ Clients receiving physiotherapy treatment: 12

Total number of treatment sessions received: 26

As there is minimal equipment available for use by clients attending physiotherapy in Ballinasloe Health Centre, some clients with complex needs have availed of the equipment at the Social Services Centre under supervision of the physiotherapist. We are very grateful to the committee to continue to allow us to avail of this facility.

Number of clients who availed of the facility at Ballinasloe Social Services Centre for their physiotherapy treatment: 3

Total number of treatment sessions received: 5

Total Figures

Total number of clients that received physiotherapy treatment in BSSC: 15

Total number of physiotherapy treatment sessions: 31

Marion Dooley

Chartered Physiotherapist

Ballinasloe Primary Care Team

CHIROPODY CLINIC

The Chiropody Clinic is held on the last Thursday of every month. Patients must be over 65, hold a medical card and be referred by their G.P. or P.H.N. Appointments are given on a 3-monthly basis.

Number of treatments in 2012 ……………………. 408

Fee Total ………………………………………… €4,080

Income from clinic …………………………….... €3,780

Jacinta Divilly,

Assistant Administrator

CARE AND REPAIR SERVICE

Ballinasloe Care and Repair is in its fourth year and is part of Age Action Ireland under the auspices of Ballinasloe Social Services. It was established to improve the life of elderly people so they can live independently in their own homes for a longer period.

The service was set up by Joe Staunton and assisted by Eamon Lally who saw the need for such a service in the community. Many retired and skilled people are willing to volunteer their service and time to make it practicable. The Committee is made up of Joe Staunton, Eamon Lally, Martin Lyons, Joe Sammon, Margaret Brennan and Mary Cunningham. Ballinasloe Care and Repair is supported by FAS who have three part-time volunteers who are assigned to Care and Repair duties.

Office Hours Openings are: Monday to Thursday 9am to 2pm

Phone: 090 96 30630

Email:

Ballinasloe Care and Repair uses trustworthy volunteers and handypersons to carry out minor repairs for the elderly, these include odd jobs, minor decorating, painting, gardening, strimming etc. The people involved are trustworthy and GardaVetted. In the summertime gardening and mowing lawns are the main jobs and in the wintertime there is a lot of minor jobs e.g. painting, moving furniture and plumbing.

The Befriending service is going well and more people have volunteered in different areas which makes a difference as they are local to the Client. The service they provide is reading, shopping, walking or accompanying the Client to a Doctor or Hospital Appointment.

There is also a Referral Service where we supply the names of trustworthy volunteers and handypersons who are Garda Vetted and carry photo ID if the job is outside our scope. The Care and Repair service is confidential and free of charge and covers a radius of ten miles.

To date we have 140 clients. When volunteers visit the client they check the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure they are working. There are a lot of referrals from HSE, Home Help, and Community Nurses who know straight away the service they require. Throughout the year we advertised in Local Papers, Radio and Church News Bulletin which increased our numbers.

We are thankful to the volunteers for their hard work and commitment. The Care and Repair service is getting stronger each year, the numbers increasing and from the feedback we get from clients they are very grateful and appreciative of the service.

I would like to thank Teresa Coughlan, Manager of the Social Services Centre for the letting of the Office to Care and Repair and the Committee for their help without whom the service would never have existed. Also I would like to thank Billy Ward and Patricia Tierney of the CE Scheme for their continued support and staff.

Esther Noone

Administrator

Care & Repair

SOCIALSERVICESPRE-SCHOOL

Twenty one children, five mornings each week and eighteen children, three afternoons per week, started the last week in August 2012.

Congratulations to each of the children, parents and staff that completed the school year. It is a tremendous achievement as each of the staff (Lucy, Karen and I) strive to deliver the best individual programmes, within a group setting. Many thanks also to Deborah in the mornings, and Nicola every Tuesday, who received funding from the Brothers of Charity to support individual children.