Cheshire Intranet
Ardeen Cheshire Home
Ardeen Cheshire Home Contact Details
| Manager: | margaret O'Loughlin |
|---|---|
| Address: | Shillelagh, Co. Wicklow |
| Tel: | 053 9429143 |
| Fax: | 053 9429170 |
| Email: | ardeen@cheshire.ie / margaret.oloughlin@cheshire.ie |
'Solas' Respite Centre Contact Details
| Direct Tel: | 055 29465 |
|---|---|
| Email: | ardeenrespite@cheshire.ie |
About
Ardeen Cheshire is situated in the charming village of Shillelagh, 60 miles south of Dublin, in the tranquil countryside of Co. Wicklow. Main shopping towns in the area include Arklow, Gorey and Carlow, all within easy reach using Ardeen’s transport. Ardeen was the first Cheshire Home to open in Ireland, in 1960, and has since developed a range of varied accommodation for its service users. There are 11 accommodation units within the main house. A converted cottage, adjacent to the main house, contains 4 apartments. In 1996, a major development was undertaken with the building of 15 terraced bungalows, designed to provide lifetime adaptable housing. In 1999, a large existing bungalow was converted to accommodate 4 en suite single rooms, specially designed and adapted to provide a dedicated respite service. This respite centre, called 'Solas', provides all-year-round service for over 200 people a year.
Facilities
- 11 private rooms (mostly single) in the main house.
- 4 apartments in a converted cottage, adjacent to the main house, each consisting of a sitting room/bedroom and bathroom.
- 15 self-contained bungalows, each consisting of a bedroom, bathroom, sitting room and fully fitted kitchen area, with patio doors giving access to an outdoor paved terrace and the gardens of Ardeen.
- Respite bungalow with 4 en suite single rooms.
- Activities room in the main house, equipped with computers and other facilities for use by all service users.
Services Available
- Ardeen's full-time staff provide 24-hour cover, with volunteers offering individual support in a variety of activities within and beyond the entre.
- Dedicated 'Solas' respite centre offers 4 en suite single rooms for year-round use.
- Computer training for all services users wishing to avail of it, with facilities provided in the activities room of the main house; employment opportunities are also available (see below).
- Leisure activities, such as art classes, cooking courses and games, are organised on a weekly basis.
Employment Opportunities
Ardeen Employment Service has set up a work-experience programme for those service users who want to participate in the workforce. The programme helps people to gain valuable and worthwhile experience in jobs that interest, and remunerate, them. This service is a partnership arrangement between Ardeen and Wicklow Supported Employment Network.
Community Links
- Ardeen's minibus is available to the local community.
- Computer-based jobs are done on request for members of the local community.
- Regular contract work for a local pharmaceutical company is undertaken.
- A most successful FÁS scheme is run at Ardeen and over 25 people are involved in supporting the activities of the centre by, for example, driving, accompanying people shopping, to the cinema, swimming, socialising and administration. They also help in the upkeep of the centre.
- Ardeen's Annual Garden Fete, run in July each year, is always a great occasion not only for users and members of the local community to meet, but also as a valuable fundraiser for the centre itself.
All Cheshire services, in Ireland and worldwide, aspire to operate in keeping with the Cheshire ethos and in line with today’s standards for rights-based disability services. In particular, Cheshire services aim to listen carefully to people with disabilities and to try to meet the expectations of people using our services.
