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BALLINASLOE SOCIAL SERVICES
ANNUAL REPORTS 2011/12
Celebrating 40 years
1972-2012
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CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
This year 2011/12 is a year of celebrations for Ballinasloe Social Services. First we celebrated the 25th
anniversary of the Pre-School and had Minister of State Ciaran Cannon visit us in November. Then,
Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald visited in March to mark the occasion with us. Now we are
celebrating 40 years of the founding of Social Services.
We remember with gratitude the vision of the late Dr. Joe Tarpey and the late Sr. John. We thank
Margaret Mansfield and Stephen Connell, who are still a support to us and whose initial steps in setting
up the service have allowed it to grow and become such a vital part of Ballinasloe. Thanks also to various
members of the committee, past and present, who have kept the service going through the years with their
enthusiasm.
Thankfully we have been able to survive this economic crisis with the help of our supporters, including
the Sisters of Mercy, the Lions Club, Flower Club, Soroptomists, our patrons and members, supporters of
our limited draw, HSE West and the people of Ballinasloe.
We thank Bernie Austin, Director of Nursing at St. Brendan’s Hospital, Loughrea, for providing our
Nurse Manager in charge in the Day Centre and providing locum cover when needed and Dan Quaid,
HSE West, for his interest and support.
We thank our Day Centre nurses, Martina and Anne Marie, who greet people with a smile and provide a
professional service enabling people to stay in their own environment. The centre is a very happy place to
visit and long may it continue to be that way.
We thank our Manager Teresa and staff, including Diana and Brendan who help in the smooth running of
the centre. Thanks too to Kay and volunteers in the Meals on Wheels and to the FAS and the Rural
Development Scheme participants.
The Pre-School and Therapeutic Learning Centre continue to thrive under the guidance of Elaine Murphy,
Childcare Manager. We thank her and her staff for their commitment.
We are delighted to have the Care and Repair office on site – it is a great service to the older people of
Ballinasloe. We thank the volunteers in the Tuesday Club who filled a need for English classes and social
interaction for foreign nationals over the past six years.
Finally, we started from humble beginnings 40 years ago and have grown and developed, despite
difficulties along the way, to provide services in the Ballinasloe area that we can be proud of. We look
forward with confidence to the future because of the fantastic support we receive from the many groups
and people mentioned in these reports.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh go leir.
Annette Lynagh
Chairperson
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DAY CARE CENTRE
We provide a safe, supportive, cheerful, environment committed to promoting the independence of our
Clients, personally, medically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually, and we advocate continuous
quality improvements of their lives to the fullest extent possible.
Maximum attendance of our Day Centre yet again this year, together with the increasing number of
interested potential Clients, reflects the continued need for our Day Care services.
There are two Registered Nurses on duty who provide a comprehensive nursing assessment of health
needs and development of a plan of care is carried out. Blood pressure and blood sugar level monitoring
are provided as required. A daily programme of activities, including bingo, gentle exercise, computers,
card playing, board games, art and crafts, etc. provides our Clients with opportunities for social and
mental interaction with their peers.
We are fortunate to have the support of the following professionals:
Ray Kelly, our visiting Chiropodist, provides a clinic on a monthly basis.
Marion Dooley, our Community Physiotherapist, visits our Centre on a regular basis and provides Clients
with an exercise programme tailored to their individual needs.
Our treasured volunteers are vital partners in the services we provide. Our success and accomplishments
are directly attributed to their dedication. Thanks to Jackie Eastwood for providing art classes, Rosie
Darragh for her computer classes and Claire Gibbons for her exercise classes.
We express our thanks to Kay and her team for providing delicious and nutritious daily meals for our
Clients.
Music, Song and Dance is held every Tuesday. We thank our talented and jovial panel of voluntary
musicians and singers who provide our Clients and Staff with hours of ‘ceoil agus craic’. Our Clients
enjoyment is evident in their willing participation and light-footed steps on the dance floor.
Thanks to the Loughrea music group who attend once per month
We had yet another successful and enjoyable annual excursion in July. With packed lunches in hand, a
total of 70 Clients, volunteers, and Staff travelled to Knock. A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all.
Luckily the sun shone bright (a small miracle in itself!). The day was complete for the weary pilgrims
with a delicious meal in Gullane’s Hotel. Gratitude is expressed to the Lions Club for sponsoring the
transport.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to my colleagues, clients, volunteers
and the committee, for making me feel welcome since joining the Day Care Centre in April.
On behalf of the Day Care Centre, I wish to congratulate Ballinasloe Social Services on celebrating its
40th anniversary this year.
Martina O’Donovan,
Nurse Manager
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SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE
It is with great pride that I am associated with Ballinasloe Social Services in its 40th year. This is a time
to review its 40 year history and looking back gives us the strength and motivation to move forward with
energy and enthusiasm. Congratulations to all who have been involved over this time.
As in recent years, the economic uncertainties have, again, been uppermost in our minds when it came to
funding our services and it is with the enormous support of the following groups and organisations that
we are have come through the last year:
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HSE West
Mercy Ministry Fund
Rossway Walking Club – Fundraiser in June
Ballinasloe Soroptomists
Ballinasloe Lions Club
Ballinasloe Rugby Club
ClubDamhsa Sean Nos – Fundraiser in March
Ballinasloe Mother’s Union
Creagh National School - Sale of St. Brigid’s Crosses
East Galway Cancer Support – Log Cabin Re-Union
Go 4 Life
Co. Galway VEC
Vincent de Paul
Killeens of Shannonbridge – Table Quiz
We also thank everyone who has supported the following fundraising events in the past year:
October: Car Parking at Fair
December: Christmas Sale of Work, Card Game
February: Limited Draw
April: Easter Raffle & Cake Sale, Golf Outing
June: Mini-Marathon
September: Cash for Clobber
October: Membership
Ongoing: Bonus Ball
Our policies booklet was compiled by our committee during the year and distributed to all staff.
We introduced a new Cloud accounting system “Accounts IQ”, specifically designed for the community
and voluntary sector. Thanks to Oliver Nilan, our auditor, for his input into this and also for his help and
support throughout the year.
Pension trustee training was undertaken online by 2 of our directors and on site by myself and the 4 other
directors, to fulfil the requirements of the Pensions Act 1990 (as amended).
We said goodbye to Eilish Gillane and welcomed Martina O’Donovan to the Day Centre.
We replaced our front garden with flagstones this year and our gratitude goes to Noel & Geraldine Lohan
for donating the flagstones.
Other events, in which I was involved in, during the year included:
 IPASS Employment Law workshop in February
 Speaking at Mother’s Union meeting in March
 Consultative session on Galway Age Friendly Programme in April
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Children’s First briefing in May
CEO2CEO meetings in June & October
I wish to thank Teresa Black for her assistance, working with me in the office, throughout the year and
thank Patricia Tierney in Ballinasloe Training for Employment for her support also.
Finally, I wish to express my gratitude to all my work colleagues, Social Services committee, volunteers
and everyone with whom I have had the pleasure of working with during the year for their involvement
and dedication to our common goal – caring for each other.
Teresa Coughlan
Manager
Ballinasloe Social Services Contact Details
Offices: Social Services Centre,
Upr Brackernagh,
Ballinasloe
Ph: 090 9643217
Fax: 090 9645197
www.ballinasloesocialservices.ie
Email: bsloesocsers@eircom.net
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MEALS ON WHEELS
With the organisation celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and as Meals on Wheels is the longest
established of the services, I wish to congratulate everyone who was involved in Meals on Wheels and
Ballinasloe Social Services over the 40 years. Buala bos to everyone!
I wish to thank all our volunteer drivers (14 in total), who are garda vetted, without whom our service
would not function. A particular thank you to Nuala Noone, one of our volunteers, who took part in the
Ladies Mini-Marathon this year and raised funds for our service. I also wish to thank Regina and Siobhan
for their invaluable work in the kitchen. Thanks to Terry in the Community Information Centre for her
assistance with Siobhan’s Fás placement.
In 2011, we delivered 16,058 meals. The areas we cover are from Ahascragh in the North to
Laurencetown in the South, across to Cappatagle in the East, up to Kilconnell and Fohenagh and
anywhere inside this catchment area.
We were delighted to have been able to purchase a new refrigeration unit recently, as a result of Lottery
funding.
I attended the Pallas Food Exhibition last June in Galway, which proved very informative.
The Meals on Wheels service is an important support in enabling older people stay in their own homes as
it provides, along with a regular nutritious meal, social contact and friendship.
Kay Cunningham
Co-Ordinator,
Meals on Wheels
THE TUESDAY CLUB
The Tuesday Club met weekly on a Tuesday morning from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm in the Social Services
Centre, where foreign nationals came together for a chat, a cup of tea and English classes.
The club has been in existence for six years and the original objective was to offer an opportunity for
people to meet, to network, to improve their English and to enjoy a cup of tea together.
Many people have returned to their own countries due to the economic downturn, those who remain are in
full time or part time employment. Consequently it has been decided there is no longer a need for this
service.
We wish to thank Ballinasloe Social Services for their continued support in this project and a huge thank
you to our teachers Margaret, Mary, Martina and Marie.
Marie Staunton
Class Teacher
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COMMUNITY PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICE
Statistics from 1st October 2011 to 30th September 2012:
Physiotherapist attended Ballinasloe Social Services Centre for 10 Mondays between 1 st October 2011
and 30th September 2012.
Number of Social Services’ Clients receiving physiotherapy treatment: 14
Total number of treatment sessions received: 37
Due to the lack of equipment available to physiotherapy clients in Ballinasloe Health Centre, some clients
have availed of the equipment at the Social Services Centre under supervision of the physiotherapist. We
are very grateful to the committee to continue to allow us to avail of this facility.
Number of clients who attended physiotherapy only at the Social Services Centre: 4
Total number of treatment sessions received: 21
Total Figures
Total number of clients treated: 18
Total treatment sessions: 58
Marion Dooley MISCP
Ballinasloe PCCC Physiotherapist
CHIROPODY CLINIC
The Chiropody Clinic is held on the last Thursday of every month. Patients must be over 65, hold a
medical card and be referred by their G.P. or P.H.N. Appointments are given on a 3-monthly basis.
Number of treatments in 2011 …………………….423
Fee Total ………………………………………… €4,230
Income from clinic …………………………….... €4,085
Teresa Black
Assistant Administrator
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CARE AND REPAIR SERVICE
Ballinasloe Care and Repair which is part of Age Action Ireland and under the auspices of Ballinasloe
Social Services is now in its third year. It is a national organisation which was established to improve the
lives of the elderly, to enable them to live full independent lives and stay in their own homes for as long
as they wish.
The service here in Ballinasloe was instigated by our now Chairperson Joe Staunton, assisted by Eamon
Lally, who saw the need for such a service and felt that many retired people and others would be willing
to give their time on a voluntary basis to make this service practicable. Joe and Eamon serve on the Care
and Repair Committee together with Martin Lyons, Margaret Brennan and Mary Cunningham. Care and
Repair is supported by Fas in administrative and technical roles and Fas also supports Care and Repair by
way of two part-time volunteers who are assigned to the Care and Repair office.
Our office opening hours are as follows:
Monday – Thursday 9am to 2pm
Phone – 090 9630630
Email: bsloecarerepair@gmail.com
The services provided include small odd jobs and repair service, including gardening, strimming etc.
There is also a befriending/care service which involves anything from a volunteer going for a walk with a
client, to doing some shopping for them. We also have a Trade Referral Service which means if the job
does not fall within the scope of our volunteers, we will supply the names of trustworthy local
tradespersons from our register. We use a pool of trustworthy volunteers and handypersons who are also
Garda-vetted and carry photo I.D. This Care and Repair service is confidential and free of charge and
covers a radius within 10 miles of Ballinasloe town.
To date we have 120 clients on our files. The tasks undertaken to date are many and varied. The jobs
sometimes depend on the weather or the time of the year. The summertime brings about a lot of
gardening, small painting jobs and tidying out of sheds. Other jobs include small plumbing and electrical
jobs. Smoke alarms are regularly checked when volunteers visit clients’ homes. We receive many
referrals from services like the HSE, home helps, community nurses, etc., who are aware, first hand of
people who need our help. Advertising has also brought in numerous calls.
Thanks to all our volunteers for their hard work and dedication. From feedback received from phone
calls from clients and other sources such as surveys, the elderly in our Community are very appreciative
of the service we provide. Client numbers are rising each and every day and we hope the Care and Repair
service will continue to go from strength to strength.
Lastly, I would like to thank Teresa Coughlan, Manager of the Social Services Centre for accommodating
this service here. Thanks to the Care and Repair Committee, without whom the service would never have
existed. Thanks to Billy Ward (FAS) and Patricia Tierney (FAS) for their ongoing and continued support
with administration staff and technical staff. It is much appreciated.
Paula Hughes
Administrator,
Care & Repair.
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SOCIAL SERVICES PRE-SCHOOL
Thirty Five children, with their families, participated in the special year of the pre-school. We celebrated
our 25th Anniversary, joined by Minister of State Ciaran Cannon, then later, Minister Frances Fitzgerald.
The pre-school was initially established because a need was identified for affordable access to early
childhood care, subsequently moving to its present premises, where it has since grown and developed.
Minister Cannon acknowledged the pre-school for its sense of vision and foresight in laying the
foundation for the quality of service it strives to give each child and family. Minister Cannon recognised
that the pre-school has developed and adapted strategies that meet the more specialised needs of children.
Dr. Kevin Connelly referred to disadvantages, and how they could be overcome, suggesting parents need
to give their children “Roots and Wings”. They will get there - if they receive affection, appreciation and
discipline; he believed these should be given in the pre-school also.
Kevin stated a good play-school nurtures children’s physical, social, emotional, creative and intellectual
development. He acknowledged our pre-school was one of the most useful projects he had been involved
in.
March brought Minister Frances Fitzgerald, who attended a live session of the Incredible Years. She
experienced first hand, how the programme is delivered, how the children participate, and its impact.
Incredible Years Programme is given to the children three times weekly for twenty minutes. The
programme supports and strengthens children’s competencies in social and emotional skills, such as,
understanding and communicating feelings, using effective problem solving strategies, managing anger,
practicing friendship skills, as well as classroom behaviours.
I would like to thank the Vincent de Paul and Galway City Partnership for their support and funding
towards implementation of this programme. Thank you also to the Vincent de Paul for funding our school
lunch programme.
Always we work in collaboration with the Early Intervention Teams, striving to meet the needs of
children and their families.
The EIT offer intervention, within the pre-school setting, providing individual programmes, which are
integrated into the everyday school curriculum.
Important training was received in relation to Child Protection, and 2011 Always Children First. This will
provide significant guidance on policies and procedures within the centre.
Since my last AGM report, I have completed my BA in Counselling and Psychotherapy. I would like to
sincerely thank the committee and Teresa, for the support given to me.
Sadly in April Annette McDevitt decided to leave us, she was missed. I know she is very involved in the
“Relay for Life” and I wish her well in her new ventures.
Finally I would like to acknowledge, recognise and thank, staff, volunteers, students, social services
committee, pre-school sub-committee, administration, parents, and families who each in their own
individual unique way, bring all the ingredients that make our pre-school special and unique. May the
school be successful for another 25 years.
Elaine Murphy
Childcare Manager
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THERAPUTIC LEARNING CENTRE
The Therapeutic Learning Centre (T.L.C) is a joint project between Ballinasloe Social Services and the
HSE and is funded by the HSE
Recognition by the HSE in these difficult times, reflect the unique relationship and the importance of the
continuation of the service.
On behalf of the children and their families, I would like to thank them.
No. of Referrals:
Children offered a service in 2011
Children who availed of the service in 2011
Children discharged from the service in 2011
112
102
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T.L.C offers:
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Individual sessions
Communication groups
Summer intensive groups
Parenting programmes
Facilitating appropriate intervention programmes
The T.L.C Leader:
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Works closely with relevant HSE professionals
Attends Child Protection, Child Welfare conferences when invited
Ensures 2011 Always Children First Policies and procedures are adhered to
Attends Clinical Care meetings
Participates with the Speech and Language department in the Hanen Programme.
The Hanen Programme is for parents, one night each week, over eight weeks. It looks at “how” and
“why” their child communicates and supports parents in understanding how their child’s communication
develops. Parents are also asked to attend individually, with their child, for three, five minute video
sessions within the eight weeks to chart individual progress.
Elaine Murphy
T.L.C Manager
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Extract from Audited Accounts from 31st December 2011
Balance sheet as at 31st December 2011
€
1,165,323
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets
Current Assets
Debtors
Cash at Bank & in Hand
Creditors
Amts falling due within
One year
7,274
5,661
12,935
-13,870
Net Current Assets
Total Assets less current liabilities
-935
1,164,388
Net Assets
1,164,388
Capital and reserves
Revaluation reserve
Other reserves
Revenue reserves account
Member’s funds
1,006,737
28,856
128,795
1,164,388
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Detailed Trading Profit & Loss and Expenses Schedule for
Year ended 31st December 2011
€
Sales
Revenue Grants
Fundraising
Income from House
Grants & donations
Membership
Lottery Grants
Miscellaneous Income
Grants Amortised
ECCE Grant
P/S fees
CCS/CCSS
Day Centre income
MOW income
Chiropody income
T.L.C
Crafts income
Brackernagh Playschool
135,000
25,417
3,545
42,261
6,446
6,600
197
8,733
32,100
10,289
20,605
20,371
38,290
4,085
21,725
4,640
1,637
381,941
€
Administrative Expenses
Building Costs
600
Preschool Wages
67,561
Transport Wages
24,324
Transport Expenses
7,630
Administration Wages
48,778
Administration expenses
2,958
Day Centre wages
49,445
Day centre expenses
5,760
SS Playschool
1,304
Insurance
5,704
B’nagh P/S
2,009
Light & heat
10,956
MOW wages
55,669
MOW expenses
30,135
Repairs & maintenance
13,011
Telephone & fax
4,163
T.L.C wages
18,171
T.L.C expenses
2,494
Chiropody services
4,230
Accountancy
1,634
Training costs
817
Bank charges
763
Sundry expenses
5,141
Depreciation on equipment
3,426
Depreciation on motor vehicles
3,352
372,603
Operating Profit/ (Loss)
2%
9,338
Note: Pobal grants received in previous years of €8,733 mow being amortised to the profit and loss
account are included in the total income figure.