The gang ready for the water.
Back in July, NCBI North-West arranged a children’s residential workshop for its young service users at Oakport Haven, Cootehall, Roscommon. Oakport Haven is a purpose-built residential facility for young people with a vision impairments.
The young service users aboard the dragon boat.
The young service users, Victoria, Keri, Keisha, Roisin, Patrick, Shane, Jordan and Cormac — aged between ten and 18 years, had a ball and learned a thing or two. This was courtesy of funding from Covidien/Medtronic philanthropy, received for such a purpose in 2015.
Shane getting ready for zumo wrestling.
The main focus was on teaching the service users independent life skills, social skills, orientation and mobility. The workshops focused on IT and new Braille devices, mental maths, self advocacy, guide dog travel, train travel and eating out.
An African drumming session in full swing in Oakport Haven
But, in between all the serious stuff, they took part in sport and leisure activities such as African drumming, mindfulness. bowling, zumo wrestling, grooming and beauty classes, As well as a turn on the Chinese dragon boat.