26/07/2024
Fermanagh Adult Learning Disability Team members based at Enniskillen Community Services Department, Coleshill (Social Workers, Behaviour Support Workers, Family Support Worker, Learning Disability and Occupational Therapists) took part in two relay teams at last year’s Belfast Marathon. The team of ten undertook this challenge to raise funds for mobile sensory equipment for the wards to compliment the newly developed Sensory Room located in the South West Acute Hospital Emergency Department .
An incredible total of £14,000.00 was raised thanks to the support and generosity of family, friends, local community and businesses who kindly supported the Team’s fundraising efforts.
Christine McLaughlin, Assistant Director Adult Learning Disability Services at the Western Trust explained:
“The money raised went towards providing mobile sensory equipment for use on Wards at the South West Acute Hospital. The Team are delighted to be able to present a number of sensory trolleys throughout the hospital to help support our service users and patients. Within Adult Learning Disability Services we know that sensory suites and sensory equipment have been proven to make the journey through appointments and hospital stays easier and less distressing for adults with learning disabilities. I hope these sensory trolleys will help provide a calm and reassuring environment for service users who require care and treatment in our hospital wards in the future.”
A representative of the group said:
“On behalf of the marathon participants we would like to acknowledge the many generous donations that were received from family, friends, colleagues, community and local businesses alike, all of whom helped us to raise a great amount of money allowing us to purchase the three mobile sensory trolleys which since being delivered to the wards have already been in use, and we are able to see at this early stage the benefit this equipment will be for patients and for the ward. We were delighted to be able to formally hand over the equipment to representatives from Wards 1, 2 and 8.”
