RehabCare, the Care division of the Rehab Group, which supports 4,500 people across the country, is hosting an upcoming fundraising event called “A Cup of Care” across its network of centres on Thursday, October 20th, from 11 a.m.
This event aims to raise vital funds to further the organisation’s mission of enabling individuals with disabilities to lead independent lives and pursue their goals and ambitions. The coffee morning promises a warm and inviting atmosphere for attendees to connect, share stories, and, most importantly, show their support for a cause that touches the lives of thousands.
RehabCare has been at the forefront of providing invaluable services to individuals with disabilities for more than seven decades. With a presence in every county in Ireland, the organisation’s dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the resources and support they need to lead fulfilling, independent lives.
How the Funds Will Be Utilised:
The proceeds from “A Cup of Care” will directly benefit local RehabCare centres programmes and initiatives, including independent living supports, education and skill-building, accessible transportation services, sourcing employment opportunities, and recreational and social inclusion activities.
Shane Loughlin, who attends a RehabCare centre in Cavan, said: “I love attending the RehabCare Centre in Cavan. The outcome I have been working on for the last seven years was to complete a Special Needs Assistant course. With a lot of hard work and support I completed the course in April 2023. I am graduating in October. It took me longer than other students, but RehabCare staff encouraged me to follow what I wanted no matter how long it took. I am so glad I listened and put in the hard work I know it will be worth it when I’m celebrating”.
Grainne Fogarty, Director of RehabCare, said: “RehabCare is a not-for-profit organisation that has been delivering services across the country since 1949. The journey began with one sheltered workshop on Pleasant Street in Dublin, offering training to 10 people with TB to support them in return to work with just three staff and a Community Employment Scheme. Today, RehabCare provides life-changing services to 4,000 children and adults with physical and sensory disabilities, intellectual disabilities, Autism, mental health issues and older persons across all our service delivery models. Our models include residential care, respite, in-home support, Day services, Outreach and Day services.
The last three years have been incredibly challenging across the entire health and social care sector. Our staff and service users have had to adapt and change to circumstances outside of their control, from the impact of COVID-19 to the housing and cost-of-living crises that have impacted society so adversely.”
“We all know the gaps that exist in services for children and adults with disabilities and the damage this is doing to people’s quality of life. The unmet need is well-documented. In delivering RehabCare’s strategic plan, we seek to address some of these gaps. We are developing several l services nationwide to respond to the ever-increasing demand for these services. All our services are designed to support individuals and their families to sustain these individuals at home as part of their families for as long as possible.
We are also actively engaged with local employers, securing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Our service users across the country are also actively involved in local and national advocacy committees representing their needs and the needs of their colleagues on national issues impacting individuals with disabilities on a national stage.
The impact of the work we do and the support we provide cannot be underestimated. All the services we offer are committed to empowering those we support to live the life of their choosing, and all of our staff are focused on breaking down any barriers that prevent this from happening. We put individuals with disabilities at the heart of their communities.
The demand for our services continues to grow, and we want to continue to provide the kinds of services that make a real difference in the lives of the people we support, which is why we are asking for support. Every day, our staff support individuals, sometimes in the most challenging circumstances and none more than the challenges they have faced over the last three years. We ask people to come along on the day for a coffee or donate.
How to Get Involved:
Individuals, businesses, and organisations interested in supporting “A Cup of Care” can:
- Attend the event and enjoy a coffee while making a meaningful contribution.
- Make a direct donation by going to A Cup of Care| Fundraising Event Ireland (idonate.ie) and choosing your local service from the participating services.
- Share the event details on social media using the hashtag #ACupOfCare.
Contact Information:
For media inquiries or further information, please contact Ciara Heffernan, Senior Communications Officer, Rehab Group Ciara.heffernan@rehab.ie or call 087 9728513