Barrett Cheshire Home

Description of the project

Ardeen Cheshire is situated in the charming village of Shillelagh, 60 miles south of Dublin,
in the tranquil countryside of Co. Wicklow. Main shopping towns in the area include Arklow,
Gorey and Carlow, all within easy reach using Ardeen’s transport. Ardeen was the first
Cheshire Home to open in Ireland, in 1960, and has since developed a range of varied
accommodation for its service users. There are 11 accommodation units within the main
house. A converted cottage, adjacent to the main house, contains 4 apartments. In 1996, a
major development was undertaken with the building of 15 terraced bungalows, designed to
provide lifetime adaptable housing. In 1999, a large existing bungalow was converted to
accommodate 4 en suite single rooms, specially designed and adapted to provide a
dedicated respite service. This respite centre, called 'Solas', provides all-year-round service
for over 200 people a year.

The project aims to benefit to the volunteer, residents and staff, by providing the
opportunities of meeting people from different cultures, developing social skills and building
confidence.

The aim is also to create and enhance friendship and give the opportunity to the volunteers
to learn and practice English and become closely involved in community activities.
Barrett Cheshire House is part of Cheshire Ireland, which provides residential and support
services throughout Ireland to adults with primarily physical disabilities. Cheshire Ireland
works in partnership with people who use our services and with statutory and voluntary
agencies.

Located in the heart of Dublin city, near the Grand Canal off Lower Baggot Street, Barrett
Cheshire House is in a prime location for its service users to avail of work opportunities,
attend nearby Trinity College or other educational institutes, shop and generally be in the
centre of a busy social scene. The Barrett Cheshire on Herbert Street consists of two large
elegant Victorian houses converted to one centre. The property was bequeathed to the
Foundation by Miss Elizabeth Barrett in 1968 and opened in 1969 to provide
accommodation for 18 service users.

Each has his or her own private room and full use of other multipurpose facilities, including
therapy room, computer IT room, sitting room, dining room and kitchen. In addition, Barrett
Cheshire also has a mews building on Herbert Lane, to the rear of the main house, which
has been converted to provide 2 one-bedroomed apartments for independent living,
complete with lift to the first floor. These are supported from the main house.

Across the road from the main house on Herbert Street, there is another one-bedroomed
apartment, located in the private development of the 'Plantation Apartments'. Here, short-
term accommodation is offered to service users as part of a training programme in assisted
daily living skills. This scheme, undertaken by Barrett Cheshire in partnership with Enable
Ireland, has been a great success in getting people started for independent living in the
community.

Facilities
• 18 single rooms in the main house on Herbert Street.
• 5 multipurpose rooms in the main house (occupational therapy room, computer IT
room, sitting room, dining room and kitchen).
• 2 one-bedroomed apartments in the converted mews building on Herbert Lane, with
lift and support from the main house.
• 1 one-bedroomed apartment in a private development opposite the main house on
Herbert Street for short-term accommodation, mainly of those participating in the
learning skills training course.

Location
Dublin city centre

What we offer volunteers on the project

• A learning environment to develop skills in the disability area
• Support and supervision from staff and managers
• A volunteer contract and the commitment that the job that they perform is not a
substitute for paid employees
• 45 EUR Pocket money per week (subject to change)
• Food and accommodation (own bedroom)

Volunteer Activities
The volunteer will be involved in different activities that take place for the residents inside
and outside the home. They will accompany people visiting family and friends, go on
shopping trips and of course to evening entertainment like the cinema or the pub. This helps
the residents to socialise and integrate into the local community. In addition, residents are
always grateful for help with small things like writing letters, tidying up, cooking. A typical
day would begin at 9.00 and finish at 17.00. Sometimes volunteers are asked to work furing
the evenings. Volunteers would be asked to work 5 days a week with two days off.

Specific duties:
• To work as part of a team organising a daily activity programme for service users
• To support service users on a one-to-one basis with their lifestyle plans
• To encourage and facilitate the use of communication and other aids by service
users
• To organise and accompany service users on community outings e.g. shopping trips,
trips to the theatre etc.
• To work as part of a team with all sections of the House as required.
• To undertake any other reasonable duty delegated by management from time to
time.
• To work as part of a care team delivering personal care and support to service users
• To assist with the service user’s physical care, including those with high level care
needs, such as dressing, bathing, showering, toileting, meals and mobility
• To assist in the care of service users mobility aids in an acceptable manner.
• To encourage and facilitate the use of communication and other aids by service
users.
• To accompany service users to medical appointments and other activities outside the
House as required.
• To work as part of a team with all sections of the House as required.
• To assist service users with meals as necessary in a supportive and respectful
manner
• To ensure all equipment is used solely according to manufacturers’ instructions
• To ensure all equipment is maintained, clean and in good working order and to report
faulty or damaged equipment
• To undertake any other reasonable duty delegated by management from time to time

Administration:
• To be familiar with Cheshire Ireland Policies and ethos and to abide by these
• To comply with health and safety, fire and other statutory regulatory requirements
• To attend hand over reports and ensure at the start of each shift you are familiar with
service user’s condition, or any change in situation or arrangements within the
House.
• To report any incidents immediately to the Care Team Leader or designate.
• To ensure a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene with the equipment under your
care.
• To report any concerns or complaints expressed by the service users to the Care
Team Leader/management
• To attend staff meetings as required.
• To participate in training programmes
• To actively encourage independence and respect service users’ right to direct their
lives
• To represent the House in a positive manner
• To maintain confidentiality in relation to the personal and private affairs of the service
users.
• To maintain confidentiality in relation to the business/affairs of Barrett Cheshire.

Working Hours:
35 hours per week with 2 days off.

Important contact details:

Host Organisation:
EIL-Intercultural Learning
1 Empress Place
Summerhill North
Cork
Tel: 00 353 21 4551535
Fax: 00 353 21 4551587
Email: info@eilireland.org
Emergency no: 00 353 86 2503910 (to be used for emergencies only)
Programme coordinator: Anton Kieffer anton@eilireland.org
Director: Brendan Kelleher: Brendan@eilireland.org
Host Project:
Barrett Cheshire House20/21 Herbert Street, Dublin 2
Tel: from Ireland: 01 676 0865, from abroad: 00353 1 676 0865
Project mentor: Terry Donoghue
Email: terry.donoghue@cheshire.ie
Emergency Number: 01 676 0865 (same number available 24h)