Links between IT Sligo and the HSE Ballytivnan Training Centre have been strengthened through the HSE Community Link Project for people with disabilities.
The connection was marked this week at a presentation of a hand-made wall banner made by the students involved in the project for the Sanctuary at the Institute. The Sanctuary was made available to the students on a weekly basis by former IT Sligo Chaplain Fr John Coughlan and the group made the banner as a symbol of thanks for the use of the space for their Spiritual Wellbeing Programme.
The Community Link Programme focuses on the health, educational and social well being of people with disabilities and facilitates access to activities that nurture the development of positive health and leisure.
Students involved in the project use a room in Institute’s Innovation Centre for their FETAC accredited training sessions and they also take part in activities in the Knocknarea Arena on a weekly basis. IT Sligo and the Community Link Programme are also developing links in relation to student placements and work experience.
Gordon Ryan, Head of Development and Business Operations at IT Sligo, said that engagement with the community organisations like the Community Link Project is an important part of the role of the Institute in the wider region; “The facilities we have on campus like the Innovation Centre and the Knocknarea Arena are facilities for the everyone in the region, not just for our staff and students, and we welcome this type of link up. The students from the project are now a very welcome and familiar presence on campus and they have integrated very well into the college community.”
Ann Marie Banks, Service Manager for HSE, Ballytivnan Training Service, said: “The links between our service and IT Sligo go back many years and I believe partnerships like these provide a pivotal role in developing locally based and integrated responses to the individual needs of persons experiencing disability.
“The benefits of integration for persons with a disability include higher self-esteem, better social skills and building new friendships while college staff and students benefit from the diversity that students with a disability bring to the campus”.
Image Caption: Pictured at The Sanctuary at IT Sligo at the presentation of a banner made by students of the Community Links Programme are (Centre) Gordon Ryan, IT Sligo Head of Development and Business Operations and Ann Marie Banks, Training Services Manager, Ballytivnan. Also pictured are Damien McCallion, Area Manger Sligo/Leitrim, Irene Durkan, Project Facilitator, Fr John Coughlan and participants on the Community Links Programme, Janette Farrell, Sheila Curran, Sean Rooney, Laura Finan, Aisling Connolly, Jennifer Mulligan, Ann Power, Majella Duffy and Claire Cassidy. Missing from photograph was Laura Henry.