The South Eastern Health Board’s Wexford Residential Intellectual Disability Services is officially opening Rivendell, a residential facility for eight people on Thursday 16^th December.  Cllr. Larry O’Brien, Chairman of Wexford County Council will perform the official opening. 

The renovation of this home, a previous B&B facility is the completion of yet another phase in the development of the Wexford Residential Intellectual Disability Services. 

The finding of such a great facility was as a result of the scouting work of a parent, a member of the Parents and Friend’s Association who saw great potential in it as a possible future home for residents who needed to be relocated from St. John of God House in Enniscorthy.  Following consultation and planning with the Director of Nursing, Anne McClean, Hospital Manager, Jeanne Hendrick, area Co-ordinator, of Disability Services, Elizabeth Kinsella and staff of the service and the parent body setting themselves up as a Voluntary Housing Association, the future of Rivendell was secure.  The combination of the vision of this group of individual’s shows us what benefits can be achieved when service providers collaborate and co-operate to respond to service users needs in creative and innovative ways. 

The importance of normal living and social inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities cannot be over emphasised.  Staff working in this home with the residents are providing a broad range of opportunities for every person who lives in Rivendell.  The name Rivendell is taken from the ‘Lord of the Rings’ book and film, to quote “a perfect house, whether you like food or sleep or story-telling or singing or just sitting and thinking, or a pleasant mixture of them all.  Merely to be here is a cure for weariness, fear and sadness”.   

Cllr. O’Brien says, “I am confident that this is the first of many more such projects in the future of New Dawn Housing Association and the Wexford Residential Intellectual Disability Services.  I wish to congratulate New Dawn Housing Association and the South Eastern Health Board, under whose stewardship this project was initiated and developed.  I offer my warmest congratulations to all concerned.” 

Anne McClean, Director of Nursing adds, “This new development enables us to offer the best facilities and services to our clients.  It is first and foremost their home and sanctuary, the location of Rivendell allows us to integrate with the local community and I hope that we can continue to develop such innovative services in Wexford.”