A collaboration BETWEEN ABILITY WEST AND the Brothers of Charity
On Friday the 3rd of November 2023 at the Salthill Hotel, Minister for Disability Anne Rabbitte launched the Living My Life Project which is a pilot housing project for people with intellectual disabilities, called “Living my Life”.
The initiative is a collaboration between Ability West and the Brothers of Charity, which will provide access to housing for adults with intellectual disabilities throughout Galway City and County.
The launch was attended by the project participants and their families, Proactive Carers Galway, HSE, local politicians and representatives from the Housing Departments of Galway City & County Council.
Olive Keane
Project Manager – Living my Life Project
This shared vision and ambitious collaboration has resulted in securing five years funding for the project. The team will work with 32 individuals over the next five years to prepare them for supported independent living by building on their life skills and assisting them to find socially valued roles in the community.
The project has been identified as a Priority Action in the HSE National Service Plan 2022 – 2027 following the publication of the Disability Capacity Review 2032 in which the gap between service demand and service provision was clearly identified.
To date the project is supporting seven people across both services transition into supported independent living. It is hoped to secure housing for twelve more people supported in 2024.
Living my Life Launch in November 2023
Eamon Loughrey (Brothers of Charity), Minister Anne Rabbitte, Olive Keane (Project Manager) and John McHugo (Ability West)