Respond! Residents celebrate First Anniversary of Blackpool Complex

Respond!, Ireland’s largest Housing Association, this week celebrates the first birthday of the opening of St. Francis Gardens, Blackpool. This modern integrated housing scheme replaced the former Blackpool flats and the voluntary housing association will mark the event with day long celebrations on Friday March 23rd 2007. Respond! is delighted that the residents have settled in so well in the complex and are availing of the facilities there.

The four-storey development consists of 62 two and three-bedroom units, 40 of which house elderly people, 12 family units and a group home which is being managed by the COPE Foundation for their clients. The complex also includes a day care centre for elderly people (available to both residents and members of the wider community), a social room, first floor terraced garden, under-ground car park and a separate communal facility for residents with intellectual disabilities.

Ned Brennan, Respond! Head of Operations, said: “We are thrilled with the success of this project to date and the sense of community which exists among residents. We feel this complex has really added to the Blackpool area, one of the friendliest neighbourhoods in Cork. Respond! strongly believes in offering a variety of supports to our residents and this is clearly evident in St Francis Gardens where we provide day services staffed by a centre manager, a nurse co-ordinator, chef and two care assistants.”

The day care centre for elderly people has grown since it first began one year ago. While they initially only offered services one day a week, this has now increased to five days and can cater for up to 20 clients each day. The centre offers health supports such as chiropody, physiotherapy and podiatry, as well other services including hairdressing, hand massage etc. Included in the day care centre is a canteen, day room, assisted bathing area, hairdressing salon, physiotherapy room and a rest room.

“It is wonderful to see the positive effect the day care centre is having on clients. It provides a social outlet to meet and interact with people and take part in fun activities including bingo, soccer, dancing, singing, gentle exercise etc. It has transformed people’s lives and we are delighted to be able to provide this service with the support of the HSE” added Mr. Brennan.

The development of St Francis Gardens was partly funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

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