Sod turned on East Cork disability hub

The sod has official been turned on a new adult services hub in East Cork for people with disabilities.

The centre, located at Mill View, Cork Road, Midleton, will be disability charity Enable Ireland’s newest adult services hub in the country.

Once complete, the hub will serve as a specialised, community-based day centre for individuals with physical, sensory, or intellectual disabilities. The project includes the modernisation of an existing building and the addition of purpose-built accessible features for individuals with disabilities.

These include two fully adapted personal care rooms, a sensory room, a therapy room, a computer room, and adapted kitchen, and an outdoor area.

The facility will have capacity for up to 25 adults from the North and East Cork area and will also provide vital respite services for adults from Ard Na Mara House in Ladysbridge.

Individuals attending the new hub, will benefit from tailored supports, such as training, education, social activities, and personal development, guided by person-centred planning frameworks.

One such individual, Midleton native, Jack Macfarlane attended the official turning of the sod last week.

He said: “On behalf of the group of us who will be attending services here in Midleton, I am honoured to turn the sod on the development today. I really enjoy day services at Enable Ireland’s hub in Ballintemple, but it is a bit of a trek for those of us living in the East Cork area.”

The total project cost is just over €2 million. Following the purchase of the property in 2023, Enable Ireland secured planning permission from Cork County Council with a goal to make it an A-rated building. Some funding to cover sustainable elements of the project have been secured through EirGrid’s Interconnector Community Benefit Fund and the SE Systems Community Fund. However, a funding shortfall of €330,000 remains. The charity is now appealing to companies to nominate Enable Ireland as its charity partner or to consider this project for fundraising events or campaigns.

Enable Ireland Head of Services, South and West, Gillian Darrer, said: “Receiving day supports in local towns is such an important part of ensuring that each and every adult using our services has the chance to participate in the life of their local community.

“This new development represents an exciting opportunity for the adults in Enable Ireland to benefit from being part of the welcoming and vibrant community of Midleton,” added Ms Darrer.

Enable Ireland currently operates three Cork hubs located in Ballincollig, Ballintemple and Carrigaline.