Celebrating 35 years at Inniscoole

Fred Fisher, Manager of the Rathcoole facility, welcomed the Deputy Mayor of Newtownabbey, Alderman Tommy Kirkham, to the event on Thursday, June 24. Also in attendance were Mr Brian Surplus, Principal Officer from the Northern Trust, clients, carers, staff and members of the local community.

For more than three decades Inniscoole Day Centre has enabled vulnerable people to lead full and active lives by providing support services and promoting independence.

Mr Fisher paid tribute to all the staff who play such a vital role in providing care for clients, including day care workers, care assistants, drivers, domestics, catering and clerical support staff. He also thanked other Northern Trust staff, community and voluntary groups for their involvement with the centre.

“For 35 years the staff here have been providing essential day care services for the vulnerable in their community. The commitment and enthusiasm of the staff has been second to none.

“The centre is a credit to all the staff who work here and those who maintain it. It is a vibrant and dynamic place and I would congratulate everyone associated with it,” he commented.

Two of Inniscoole’s longest-serving members, Norman Warden and Phyllis Davidson, explained why the facility is so special and how it has helped them.

“Inniscoole has been very good to me over the years. I have enjoyed the different groups and the walking group has provided me with the opportunity to make friends with so many different people and the staff have been great,” Norman said.

“I love Inniscoole. I have made a great many friends over the years. All the staff are very friendly. It has been so important for me to be able to get out of the house for two days a week,” Phyllis added.

Activities during the anniversary celebrations included Irish dancing, music, a photography exhibition of past and present clients’ work, and storytelling by Rathcoole Story Telling Group. Advice and information was available throughout the day from Carers NI, the Fire and Rescue Service, Newtownabbey Police and the Brain Bus sponsored by Fold Housing Association.

“The clients and staff would like to thank local people and businesses for their valued support over the past 35 years,” Mr Fisher concluded.