Lord Mayor celebrated second anniversary of St Francis Gardens, Blackpool, Cork.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Donal Counihan will participate in celebrating the second anniversary of St. Francis Gardens, Blackpool, Cork on April 4th 2008 at 11am by helping the Centre’s oldest resident blow out the candles on St Francis Garden’s second birthday cake. A day of fun and activity has been organised for members of the Daycare Centre including a special concert by the Ted Williamson Jazz Band and a special mass by Local Priest Fr. John O’ Donovan.

Respond! is Ireland’s largest Housing Association and manages almost 550 homes in Cork city and county. The housing charity was invited by Cork City Council in 2001 to regenerate the former Blackpool flats. The modern integrated housing development consists of 62 two and three-bedroom units, 40 of which house elderly people, 12 family units and a group home where residents are cared for by the COPE Foundation. 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! Chief Operations Officer said: “We are delighted 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 an Area Manager, a Nurse Co-ordinator, Centre Administrator, Chef and two Multi-task Assistants.”

The care services for the elderly people have grown since it commenced two years ago. While initially offering services one day a week, this has now increased to five days a week and can cater for up to 20 clients each day. The centre also offers health supports such as chiropody, physiotherapy and podiatry, as well as other services including hairdressing, hand massage etc. Included in the day care centre is a restaurant, 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 the whole community. 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 Health Service Executive” added Mr. Brennan.