News
The people we support came together for another great Resident’s Forum in May. While every service holds weekly house meetings, The Meath wide Forum is an opportunity for the people we support to put forward their ideas and views on what activities are on offer, request any changes to the way activities are run, and of course, to come up with some exciting new ideas for events and activities to enjoy over the months ahead!
The Meath is a wonderfully bustling and vibrant community which includes people who together, have a diverse range of support needs, skills and interests. The Resident’s Forum plays a key part in our ability to listen and respond to the needs of the people we support. Lee Bennett explains why this is so fundamentally important to us
“We are proud that everyone at The Meath has a voice, are encouraged to share their views and enabled to live as independently as possible. The Forum is an opportunity to amplify individual voices, is empowering and a joy to be a part of. The team and I look forward to actioning the wonderful ideas, for new activities and events that the people we support have requested. At the forum, individuals requested more support with understanding and handling money, something we will be acting upon.”
The event provided participants with a summary of feedback from the last year’s forum and how The Meath acted upon them. The group reflected upon their wonderful event and activity ideas. These were:
Pyjama Day – Held successfully!
Longer hours at The Hive Cafe – We listened and extended opening hours to 4:00pm.
New computers – Fundraising secured new laptops.
Language lessons – German classes have been introduced.
More variety at The Hive – The new Team has brought increased variety and availability. The healthy smoothies are especially popular!
Zumba classes – Now run regularly.
Fireworks – A spectacular event was held in November. Another one is planned for this year due to popular demand.
Chinese New Year Party – This was arranged and celebrated at The Hive.
Looking ahead to the rest of 25/26 the people we support requested:
More Supper Clubs at The Hive and The Café open, every weekend – the team will look into its financial feasibility.
New skills sessions – suggested topics included: Dancing sessions, Archery, Volleyball, Flower arranging and more music sessions – Especially with musical instruments
A Family Fun Day – Planned for 18th July 2025, to include a family picnic/afternoon tea and puppet show
BBQs – Smaller BBQs are already available to use.
Sports Day- We’re working on this!
More day trips out – The team continues working hard to offer outings. Suggestions welcome!
Joint day with Meath and Young Epilepsy – Great idea! We will be arranging this!
Swimming pool on site – An exciting ambition, but will require significant fundraising and won’t be possible this year. In the meantime, the Skills Centre swimming group are making great progress!
Rounders for Skills Centre – Yes!
Another “Meath’s Got Talent” – The Skills Centre will see if they can work this into the busy schedule
Meath Awards Day- This is planned for 24th July
Small animals on site – A Meath pet may be tricky. Suggestions welcome for visiting animals other than our regular visiting donkeys and PAT dogs.
Grow our own fruit and veg – Already growing leeks and strawberries. Open to more ideas!
Makaton sign of the week – Let’s bring this back!
First Aid & Safety Sessions for the people we support– to be discussed with the team.
Following the forum, the people we support were invited to take part in a group task. Each group was supported to think about and discuss The Meath Values and Quality Statements and what it is that makes them feel safe, included, empowered and how they can collaborate. The groups presented their thoughts in picture and collage format, along with written notes. We found this to be an insightful exercise and with thoughts and views so wonderfully captured that we have created a display of this group work, within the Skills Centre.
After a fantastic morning of questions and group activities, many of the people we support were thrilled to let their hair down and boogie along to another Meath favourite social event…our fabulous Elvis impersonator extraordinare in private concert at the Skills Centre!
Huge thanks to the people we support for doing a great job of putting their views across and listening with kindness and encouragement to one another. As always, The Meath team look forward to working together to develop our services and opportunities for the wonderful people we support as best we can.
