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Gabrielle, 80, Misses 'Tea And Chats' As Allenwood Centre Awaits Fate

She said the centre kept her mind active through quizzes, bingo and crafts.

A final decision on maintaining the Allenwood  daycare centre in Ballyteague for vulnerable users will be made at the end of this month.

In a statement to Kfm, a spokesperson for the Society of St Vincent De Paul said service users, their families and the staff will then be informed.

Gabrielle Dempsey, aged in her 80s, attended the daycare centre.

She said she misses the "cup of tea and chats".

She said the centre kept her mind active through quizzes, bingo and crafts.

"For me, it's heartbreaking that we can't go back," she said.

Karen Gorey, the daughter of a local woman with dementia who also attended the centre, said the closure has caused "suffering and stress" for service users.

Approximately 35 clients and their families were informed of the suspension at a Christmas party in December.

In the interim, SVP committed to offering a Meals on Wheels service to those who require it, while a full operational review of the daycare service is conducted.

The closure follows concerns regarding the organisation's governance and compliance structures.

One service user who is 88 also told Kfm that she misses the centre "so much", that it was one of her few outlets to interact and communicate with other people.

Margaret Kearney, whose dad also attended the centre, said he misses "the sense of belonging and connection".

He "misses the banter," she said. " A nice meal, cup of tea and scones and meeting his friends who attended there".

One service user with dementia has gone "backwards", according to a family member who contacted Kfm.

They said their mother has not left the house since the centre closed.

Karen Gorey said the service was a "lifeline".

She said a lot of service users were reconnecting and finding a new "sense of belonging".

"The staff are remarkable. It's the magic that they bring. It's wrong that SVDP should pull this."

She said: "I know there are people willing to come on baord to make sure the governance is there. We have to be the voice for elderly people in society. We don't want apologies or statements. We want the centre opened. Our families need the socialisation, sense of belonging, dignity and respect."

Recently, the Health Service Executive (HSE) reached out to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP), urging them to maintain the Centre.

The HSE is also seeking time to secure an alternative service provider if SVP ultimately ceases operations permanently.

 

 

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