Programmes

Our People, Our Community

Chapters Program

The Chapters programme was established over a number of years ago- however the new training programme specification for the programme was updated in 2019. The Chapters programme is based in Chestnut Court in Bagenalstown offering easy accessibility to the community.

The programme offers resources to promote independence and inclusion within the community.  This includes educational programmes using external sources such as the National Adult Learning Association (NALA) and Education Training Board (ETB) based on each individual’s preference.  The programme also supports individuals in taking part in online courses such as Recovery College online courses for example, yoga, mindfulness, creative writing etc. open to any members of the community to access.  Training is provided on an individual basis or as part of a group.  The long term goal is that the members will learn skills required and empower individuals to utilise these skills in their own lives.

The staff have excellent skills in crafts, horticulture, garden furniture making and independent living skills.  These skills have been used to improve the member’s environment within Chapters.  Staff support members in making their environment within Chapters suitable for all members taking all preferences into account.  Members have collaborated with local businesses who have supported them in making this happen through donation of raw materials.  This in turn has enabled members to envisage how these are used in producing a new product working together as part of a team.  This also instils skills that members can utilise, empowering them to make choices in their own lives.


Positive Paths

Ohana

Our Ohana Programme was established in June 2021. The name ‘Ohana’ derives from a Hawaiian word which refers to ‘a person’s extended family which include friends and other important groups’ which is a clear indication of our programme’s values. Ohana supports members with individualised, personalised care, with complex needs, such as Autism, Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability

Our programme is a mixture of therapeutic and educational supports, tailored to meet the needs of each individual member which offer a wide variety of invigorating and enjoyable activities. Some of these include arts & crafts, cooking, gardening, bowling and sensory plan. We encourage our members to achieve their individual personalised goals and be active members of the local community. To date, our members have visited an array of local attractions, which include, Dublin Zoo, Kildare Farm Foods, Fota Wildlife Park, Secret Valley Pet Farm and the Japanese Gardens, to name but a few. Health & wellbeing is also prioritized with our weekly walking club, where members chose from a variety of forest trails, beaches and other local landmarks. Swimming also occurs on a weekly basis, which is favoured activity for our members.

Our team is comprised of 8 staff members, who have a wealth of knowledge and experience working with people with complex needs. Each individual staff member brings their own personal qualities which include empathy, compassion, being energetic and have a good sense of humour.

Although we are a newly established programme, each member has specific goals which they will be supported to achieve, with the main goals being tailored around educational needs. Our education programmes are based on ASDAN’s courses and life skills courses are delivered using Concept 7’s ‘learn to live your best life’ Life Skills Development Programme. We look forward to the adventure ahead with our members and supporting them to lead individualised and personal lifestyles.

Turas

The Turas group was established in the Main Beam Centre a number of years ago.  The programme moved to the Saol Fada building in November 2019 which is located on Kilcarrig street in Bagenalstown.  We are currently re-developing the Turas Training Programme Specification over the coming months due to the changing needs and opportunities that we have identified during this time.

There are four staff members with a variety of qualifications and experience in the Social Care and Education Field. The Turas group is divided into two groups, The Steeple Room and The Cúirt room.  Each group is supported by two qualified staff, a Programme Facilitator and an Assistant Programme Facilitator who in turn are supported and motivated by a Programme Supervisor.  

The Training/Educational Programmes that we provide include, NALA literacy programme, Cookery, ASDAN and the Concept 7 Life Skills Development Programme.  We link with KASES (Carlow/Kilkenny Employment Opportunities) which is an 18month training/job coach support.  We also link with Carlow Sports Partnership for recreational opportunities.  These programmes focus on supporting, promoting and advocating for independence on an individual basis.  Turas members are empowered to become active citizens in their local and wider communities through social inclusion, leisure activities, self-care, sport and recreation and work experience.

All staff strive to keep updated on new policies and procedures both locally and nationally.  Staff are dedicated to upskilling by seeking out relevant training and participating in all mandatory training. 

All staff work as a team and use each other’s strengths as a tool in the workplace.  Some of the strengths of the team include; facilitation & leadership skills, rapport building, effective communication, motivational skills, reliability and accountability.  

The staff team work extremely hard to provide progression and transitions for their members.  Staff in the Turas group strive every day to ensure members work towards achieving their goals in life.

Bunclody

The BEAM Bunclody Rehabilitative Training Programme opened in August 2020.  There are currently 8 members participating in the RT programme who are primarily school leavers.  BEAM Bunclody is the first centre outside of BEAM to set roots in a new community.  We have named our centre BEAM Crannóg.   Crann óg translates to young tree which is how we see our members; young trees developing their roots in family and community and growing into strong, independent trees ready to participate in society and the world of work.  

Our members are supported by our dedicated staff to transition from dependence to independence and employment opportunities.  They are offered engagement in social interaction and community participation and inclusion through activities such as swimming, bowling, walking, community mapping, work experience and social farming.  Structured Training and Education programmes such as ASDAN, Concept 7, NALA and Educoot enable our members to develop their communication, literacy and numeracy skills, IT skills, personal development and social skills.  Members are facilitated to transition to move to personal independence by developing their Independent Living Skills through supported activities such as cookery, shopping, money management, travel and housekeeping skills.

BEAM Crannóg is a warm, friendly, caring and respectful environment where members and staff share interests in football, music, dance, cookery and arts & crafts while working together to achieve identified goals. Our staff team come from a variety of backgrounds including social care, youth services, aftercare, childcare and education and bring with them a wide variety of skills and interests which in turn benefit our members.  Gillian (Programme Supervisor) and Margaret (Training & Education Facilitator) joined BEAM in 2018.  Rachel (Programme Facilitator) and Shauna (Assistant Programme Facilitator) joined our team in 2021.  Staff recognise that each member has their own unique set of talents, interests and learning goals which help to guide their individualised supports.


New Horizons

CONTENT HERE

Sports Program

The BEAM Sports Programme provides a wide variety of sports to all members through Special Olympics Ireland, irrespective of age, gender or ability. It gives all members the opportunity to develop their physical fitness, demonstrate courage and commitment – and equally important, meet new friends at Area, Regional and World Games.

Thirty of our members are Special Olympic Athletes, and are actively involved in training for and participating in regional and national events in their chosen sport. Our members have been hugely successful to date winning over 50 medals in basketball, table tennis, bocce, swimming and bowling.

We couldn’t do it on our own!

The immediate and wider communities that we serve have a very strong involvement in our service – and equally, our members have a very strong involvement in their communities.

Some of our members attend courses run in Muinebheag Vocational School, from Child Care to Leaving Certificate. Organisations such as BTEI, Carlow VEC, CALC and BFRC also run programmes in line with members’ requests. Local businesses, too, are very supportive of our members in offering work experience and work opportunities.

We are also grateful to the countless volunteers who give their time so freely and so generously to help us in a wide variety of ways.  If YOU have some hours free each month, we’d love to hear from you!

Some BEAMing examples of our success

2010 – BEAM marks 10 years of service provision with a celebration led by Dr. Maurice Manning, Chancellor of the University of Ireland.

2011 – President Mary McAleese officially opens the second phase of the Barrow Experience.

2011 – The launch of our cookbook, “Get Cooking”.

2011 – Our garden project, “The Barrow Experience”, won the Michael Deering Cup in the County Carlow Pride of Place competition.

2012 – BEAM shortlisted at the national LAMA awards for Best Educational Building.

2012 – BEAM were invited to include their cookbook, “Get Cooking” in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards by Edouard Cointreau.

2012 – Winner of Best Voluntary Organisation Award at the Carlow Innovative & Business Awards.

2012 – Winner of Environmental Award in Carlow Pride of Place Competition.

2013 – “Get Cooking” was declared winner of the Irish section of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, and we represented Ireland in the world finals in Paris.

2015 – BEAM shortlisted at the national LAMA Awards for best community initiative.