HOMESHARING FAMILY FUN DAY
On Sunday 11th of August, Homeshare Galway held a Home Sharing family day at Kilcornan Walled Gardens. Over forty families who participate in Home Sharing attended the event and were able to enjoy bouncing castles, ice-cream vans, Drumadore drum sessions and lots of fun which made it a great day out for everyone! The day was arranged to acknowledge Home Share Galway and acknowledge the wonderful help provided by the families and individuals who participate in the program. Families who attended the day voiced their delight saying it was a ‘wonderful day out’ and they are looking forward to next year’s event already!
Individuals and families in parishes all over County Galway are bridging gaps and supporting a contemporary model of care and support in the community through Home Sharing. Home Sharing is a model of service that has been in operation since 1985 and is jointly run by The Brothers of Charity Services Galway & Ability West. Home Sharing is a family-based respite service for persons with an intellectual disability. Families participate on a variety of commitment levels, such as a once-a-year holiday to regular monthly and weekly support.
Currently there are over eighty families throughout Galway participating in the Home Sharing programme. Home Sharing applicants go through a process similar to that of fostering, which involves training and then they must go through a Social Work Home Sharing assessment. Each member of the Home Sharing family is included in the process so that everyone’s perspectives are considered. Individuals and families that are successful in becoming a Home Sharing family are supported with training and are paid an allowance.
To ensure the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable adults, Home Share Galway provides support and supervision to participating families. The knowledge of this back-up attracts many people to the scheme as well as a genuine desire to provide valuable support and care to persons with intellectual disabilities in the community.
The Brothers of Charity Services Galway & Ability West through Home Share Galway would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in participating in the scheme. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Brian O’ Dowd, Brothers of Charity Home Sharing Coordinator on (087)350 6333 or Angharad Langford, Ability West Home Sharing Coordinator on (087)367 2940/(091) 540993 .