Taking good care of those with disabilities and their carers

By Mary Dennehy

A COMMUNITY-based sensory room and garden for people with disabilities and their families and carers was officially opened in Whitechurch recently.

Run by the WEB [Whitechurch, Edmondstown, Ballyboden] Project, the sensory room provides affordable treatments for local people with disabilities and their carers, with a diverse programme of holistic treatments such as massage, reflexology, reiki, facials, make-up and nails on offer.

The treatment room, which is located in a warm log cabin, is also complemented by a sensory garden which gives service users the opportunity to learn about gardening, grow their own fruit and vegetables in the greenhouse and use the produce they grow in sensory baking classes.

Jen Donohue, Manager of the WEB Project, said that 12 people access the sensory room and garden weekly, with their carers and family also encouraged to take some time out in the welcoming and holistic space.

Ms Donohue said: “We have a number of groups for people with disabilities here at the WEB Project and we wanted to provide further services for them and their carers.

“We also have members of the community with profound disabilities who would find it difficult to engage in group projects, and we felt that a sensory room and garden could benefit them and their families.”

County Mayor Guss O’Connell, surrounded by service users, staff, representatives from the library services, Board members of the WEB Project and local residents, officially opened the sensory space.

The space can be used by individuals living in the area or those linked in with local services.

For further information on the sensory space, which was developed with funding received through South Dublin County Council’s Community Initiative Fund, call 4952020 or visit www.webproject.ie.

The Web Project is based in Whitechurch Library on Taylor’s Lane, Ballyboden.