Inaugural Christmas Fair in Clonshaugh a big success

SINCE the countdown to the festive period began in earnest, a number of Christmas Fairs have been taking place all over the Northside these past few weeks. 

The Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI) Resource Centre in Clonshaugh held its inaugural fair on December 9 and a great time was had by all. 

Family, friends, local business people and Minister for Disabilities Finian McGrath joined the members at the centre for mince pies and festive fun.

The Christmas Fair was a perfect opportunity to sample the goods produced by the members at the centre during the various programmes they took part in throughout 2016.

The SBHI Resource Centre, located in the Port Tunnel Business Park, Clonshaugh, offers a variety of different life enhancing opportunities to members through one-to-one computer courses, arts and crafts, innovative and fun sport sessions, including martial arts and self-defence, art sessions, cookery classes, daily living skills and personal development training, therapeutic sessions of dance, relaxation and wellness.  All training is person centred and is developed and designed to meet the individual specific needs of members. 

The centre and the programmes are managed by centre manager Aisling Nic Eochaidh. 

The centre has recently been refurbished to create a fresh, warm, inviting and accessible environment.  Once a month members train in Karate Ash Dojo. There are also regular outings to places of interest and social outings.

All of the above is supported by a dedicated team comprising the centre manager and programme coordinator, occupational therapist and three personal assistants. The team works on a daily basis to support learning and personal development of people with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.