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Pathways to Work: Minister Humphreys announces over €7.5 million in funding to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities

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Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced over €7.5 million in funding to support and improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

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Interested in giving young people a powerful insight into mental health issues and ways to manage them? If the answer is yes, these animations are for you.

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Based on research interviews conducted by Helen Coughlan, these evocative animations provide authentic insights into young people's experiences of anxiety, feeling different, being bullied, body image struggles, depression and loneliness. The animations also highlight ways to get support for mental health difficulties. Five of the animations are available in both English and Irish.

Below are six animations that explore the lived experiences of struggling with anxiety, feeling different, depression, loneliness, being bullied and body image. Five of the animations are available to watch in both English and Irish. The English versions are also subtitled. The animations can be integrated into any sessions with young people exploring these issues. That includes our Introduction to Youth Mental Health presentations. At the end of the page, you can access some complementary educational resources to help explore these themes and issues with young people.

English language versions with subtitles

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Mental Health Educate l Youth Mental Health Animations

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Six animations exploring the topics of depression, loneliness, anxiety, feeling different, bullying and body image. Available in English and Irish. Accompanied by notes for teachers and young people.

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Mental Health Services and Supports in Ireland

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Mental Health Services and Supports in Ireland

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Video made with Biteable. The World's Simplest Video Maker

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AM I ELIGIBLE?

To be eligible for the fully subsidised counselling sessions you should be:

Presenting with COVID 19 related mental health issues (e.g. bereavement, social isolation/cocooning, illness, stress, depression, anxiety, addiction, domestic violence, etc.);

AND (at least one of the following)

✓ A front-line worker in a medical setting (e.g. HSE staff, nursing home staff, paramedic, public health worker, GP etc.)

✓ Employed with low income (see threshold in How Do I Apply section)

✓ Unemployed due to COVID 19

✓ Bereaved resulting from COVID 19

✓ Over the age of 65

✓ Cocooning due to ill-health (regardless of age)

HOW DO I APPLY?

To avail of the fully subsidised sessions, you must be over the age of 18 and prior to any booking may be required to submit one or more items of documentation from the following list in order to verify eligibility.

Free children and adolescent appointments may also be offered, but are limited to parental support, and not working with the child directly.
Documentation List:
✓ Proof of employment as a front-line worker in a medical setting e.g. ID badge, payslip, etc.; or

✓ Proof of receipt of Pandemic Unemployment Benefit; or

✓ Proof that average take-home weekly wage is €350 or less; or

✓ A referral letter from your GP.

(*) When registering your account, in addition to the employment status, you should also select COVID-19 affected.

HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?

To arrange an appointment/session with MyMind, please visit: https://mymind.org/register

or clink in the following: Get started

Documents for eligibility can be uploaded and submitted through the online account you will create when registering
( https://app.mymind.org/Client/Client/ClientDocuments)

For any further questions

please email us at hq@mymind.org

The client accepts the Terms & Conditions associated with the service prior to attending the first session which in addition to the normal T&C for service include:

1. Client accepts that free of charge sessions are offered on a first come first served basis and that the overall number of appointments available under the scheme is limited;

2. A maximum of 3 appointments can be booked in advance at any one time;

3. Once the scheme is fully subscribed, if clients wish to continue treatment they may convert to regular client status and avail of the standard fee service applicable to their circumstances;

4. Appointments may be cancelled up to 24 hours before the session is due to begin.Once a client has had two late cancellations and/or no shows, they will be removed from the scheme and will no longer be eligible for free of charge appointments;

5. All free appointments must take place between 1st of June 2020 and 31st of August 2020, subject to availability.

MyMind is committed at every level and in all aspects of the service it offers to provide a confidential service to all those who are seeking mental health support. Confidentiality is between the individual and the organisation and between the individual and the mental health professional. For more information see https://mymind.org/confidentiality.
Further terms and conditions can be found on: https://mymind.org/terms.

This project has received funding from the Government of Ireland's Sláintecare Integration Fund 2019 under Grant Agreement Number 478A.

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COVID-19 Project: Free online counselling (video and phone) | MyMind

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AM I ELIGIBLE? To be eligible for the fully subsidised counselling sessions you should be: Presenting with COVID 19 related mental health issues (e.g. bereavement, social isolation/cocooning, illness, stress, depression, anxiety, addiction, domestic violence, etc.); AND (at least one of the following) ✓ A front-line worker in a medical setting (e.g.

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RCSI Mental Health Educate website | Dublin | mentalhealtheducate

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Youth mental health educational resources for teachers and other educators Mental Health Educate is a website that provides access to a range of resources about young people's mental health. The resources are primarily aimed at educators but are free to use by anyone with an interest in exploring issues affecting young people's mental health.

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the Five Ways to Wellbeing - Mental Health Ireland

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Navigating the Mental Health Services in Ireland.

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Murall Art  Workshop Flyer (June 21)-page-001

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DSCP Ability Programme run an exercise group every Tuesday at 11am with Mick Byrne Strength & Fitness

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DSCP Ability Programme run an exercise group every Tuesday at 11am with Mick Byrne Strength & Fitness

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Poster Outdoor Training May 2021-page-001

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Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership                       4 Drumfinn Park, Drumfinn, Dublin 10, D10 AY66

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Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership                       4 Drumfinn Park, Drumfinn, Dublin 10, D10 AY66

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DSCP Ability Program and SWICN Clubhouse have been running a gaming club online. We are always open to new members. You can contact Ben on 0867807957 or Dan (SWICN Clubhouse Youth Worker) details are on flyer.

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DSCP Ability Program and SWICN Clubhouse have been running a gaming club online. We are always open to new members. You can contact Ben on 0867807957 or Dan (SWICN Clubhouse Youth Worker) details are on flyer.

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Ministers Humphreys and Rabbitte Bring Certainty to Future Funding for Disability Projects

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Ministers Humphreys and Rabbitte Bring Certainty to Future Funding for Disability Projects

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Ak Inspired Ability Company Limited By Guarantee

County Kerry

Blossom Ireland Community Inclusion

County Dublin

Central Remedial Clinic, CRC

County Dublin

Cill Dara Ar Aghaidh Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Rathaiochta

County Kildare

Co Wexford Community Workshop (New Ross) Company Limited By Guarantee

County Wexford

Cope Foundation

County Cork

Down Syndrome Ireland

County Dublin

Dublin City University

County Dublin

Dublin South City Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee

County Dublin

Fingal Leader Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee

County Dublin

Forum Connemara Company Limited By Guarantee

County Galway

I.W.A. Company Limited By Guarantee

County Dublin

Ird Duhallow Company Limited By Guarantee

County Cork

Knockanrawley Resource Centre

County Tipperary

Limerick Youth Service

County Limerick

Northside Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee

County Dublin

Offaly Integrated Local Development Company Limited By Guarantee

County Offaly

Peter Bradley Foundation Company Limited By Guarantee

County Dublin

Roscommon Integrated Development Company Limited By Guarantee

County Roscommon

Specialisterne Ireland Company Limited By Guarantee

County Dublin

St. Cronans Association Company Limited By Guarantee

County Tipperary

The Blanchardstown Area Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee

County Dublin

Tipperary Regional Youth Service Company Limited By Guarantee

County Tipperary

Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability Company Limited by Guarantee

County Dublin

Walkinstown Green Social Enterprises Limited

County Dublin

West Cork Development Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee

County Cork

Wexford Local Development

County Wexford

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Ministers Humphreys and Rabbitte Bring Certainty to Future Funding for Disability Projects

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Ak Inspired Ability Company Limited By Guarantee County Kerry Blossom Ireland Community Inclusion County Dublin Central Remedial Clinic, CRC County Dublin Cill Dara Ar Aghaidh Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Rathaiochta County Kildare Co Wexford Community Workshop (New Ross) Company Limited By Guarantee County Wexford Cope Foundation County Cork Down Syndrome Ireland County Dublin Dublin City University County Dublin Dublin South City Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee County Dublin Fingal Leader Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee County Dublin Forum Connemara Company Limited By Guarantee County Galway I.W.A.

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Dublin South City Ability is a free voluntary programme for young people aged 18 - 29 offering support and guidance to develop positive pathways to work and study. The Ability programme connects young people experiencing emotional, psychological, mental health challenges and co-occurring disabilities with Guidance Workers to assist them engage with work and/or study, learn new skills, find volunteering opportunities, take steps towards finding sustainable employment and entering education.

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Ability Programme - Guidance Officer - Dublin South City Ability Programme | LinkedIn

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Dublin South City Ability is a free voluntary programme for young people aged 18 - 29 offering support and guidance to develop positive pathways to work and study. The Ability programme connects young people experiencing emotional, psychological, mental health challenges and co-occurring disabilities with Guidance Workers to assist them engage with work and/or study, learn new skills, find volunteering opportunities, take steps towards finding sustainable employment and entering education.

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Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

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Dublin InQuirer            DSCP Ability Programme article 

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Dublin InQuirer            DSCP Ability Programme article 

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The Ability Programme team. Photo by Lois Kapila.

The path from secondary school onwards to further education or a career often isn't clear-cut, says Ben Lindsay, a guidance officer for the Ability Programme.

Especially for people with sensory or physical disabilities, and mental-health issues. That's where Ability is trying to help.

The Crumlin-based programme is designed to help people aged 18 to 29, facing these challenges, transition from school to further education, training or work.

"Our outcome isn't just getting a job for somebody," says Programme Coordinator Deirdre Moore. "We're trying to point them in the right direction."

The programme is officially launching Thursday, but has been quietly up and running since November. And finding some success, Lindsay says.

"There's a big push around a more diverse and inclusive workforce," he says.

"We're finding that an awful lot of organisations are willing to put time and effort into introducing some of the people we have," he says.

But it's not just about getting people on to the next step, says Joan O'Donnell development manager at the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI). There also needs to be continuing support for them once they get there, she says.

In the 2016 Census, the unemployment rate among people with disabilities was 26.3 percent, more than double the 12.9 percent rate for the population as a whole.

The Programme

Based on St Agnes Road in Walkinstown, the South Dublin City Partnership is working with three other groups to deliver the voluntary Ability programme.

This South Dublin City branch is one of such 27 Ability programmes in Ireland, which together received €16 million in funding announced last June by Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty.

Three Ability staff run the programme for areas on the south side of the city, in postcodes 2, 4, 6, 6W, 8, 10, 12 and 20.

Young people who apply for the programme have to be in receipt of disability allowance or an invalidity pension, in receipt of illness benefit for more than three months, or be a user in a disability service project partner.

They can also be referred to Ability by other services or a community group, according to Pobal, which manage the programme on behalf of the government.

Lindsay, the guidance officer, says trying to navigate the next step after secondary school can create anxiety for people.

"Even in education, the leap from one QQI level course could be just too much for an individual," Lindsay says.

"All of a sudden they're being asked what they want to do and they're going, 'Well no one really ever asked that question,'" he says.

People who come into the service are first assessed in terms of employment skills and mental health.

Staff then help each person create a career plan, based on their interests. They also help them fill out applications and prep for interviews, says Moore.

Programme users attended workshops on employability skills development and even social-media etiquette.

Up and Running

Although the programme has been running for a while, Moore says the organisers decided to have an official launch Thursday to celebrate and promote the project.

Moore says the launch is a way to bring together the participants, local employers, training and education providers and partner organisations.

Minister Doherty will speak at the launch, as well as local DEASP representatives.

There'll also be activities like yoga and meditation classes, and entertainment from the Crumlin Community Choir and DJ Ziad.

Tracking Progress

There is no limit on how much time a person can spend in the programme, as people's needs vary, says Moore, the programme coordinator.

"It depends how far removed they were as well. If someone hasn't engaged in anything in a year or two, which a lot of young people would, we can spend more time with them," she says.

The programme brings participants on "excite visits", says Mairead Reilly, the second Ability guidance officer, where they can visit a college. "It reduces the anxiety and the nervousness around that," she says.

Also, Ability staff have been working with local businesses to get them to take people for work experience.

"Providing work experience is hugely beneficial as it increases confidence, adds new experience to a CV and provides a recent employer reference," says Moore.

So far, four people have exited the Ability programme, meaning they found something they wanted to do.

Three moved on to further education and one got a full-time job while with Ability, according to Moore, the programme coordinator.

Barriers to Employment

O'Donnell, of the DFI, says there are many barriers that make it harder for people with disabilities to get jobs. The main one is people's attitudes toward them, she says.

"The attitude of Intreo staff, when they walk through the door, the attitude of people around them who want to keep them safe and protected from rejection, she says.

"The other thing that holds people back are very real concrete things like the actual cost of going out to work if you cannot get their by public transport."

O'Donnell said proper government support is needed in order to make programmes like Ability successful.

This includes in-work supports like Personal Assistant Services, which the DFI says only 0.3 percent of people with disabilities receive. These supports help people with disabilities engage in everyday tasks such as socialising, education, and employment.

Employers are also supposed to make reasonable accommodations (modification to workplace conditions) for people with disabilities, but there is no legislation underpinning what this means, O'Donnell says.

Still, O'Donnell says she hopes to see sustainable employment created by the Ability programme.

"At a time when the future of work is upon us, and many jobs are becoming automated, it is important that Ability programmes deliver real change and options for people with disabilities," she says.

"[It's important that] supports are situated in this real-world context and deliver long term impact for those they serve."

We're working to develop a beat focused on jobs in the city. If you've ideas for work-related stories or have questions that you'd like to see answered, we'd love it to hear from you at [email protected]

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A Programme Tries to Smooth the Path to Work and Education for People with Disabilities

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The path from secondary school onwards to further education or a career often isn't clear-cut, says Ben Lindsay, a guidance officer for the Ability Programme. Especially for people with sensory or physical disabilities, and mental-health issues. That's where Ability is trying to help.

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Dublin South City Partnership Office  3-4 Agnes Road, Crumlin Village, Crumlin, D12 

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Dublin South City Partnership Office  3-4 Agnes Road, Crumlin Village, Crumlin, D12 

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DSCP Ability Programme

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DSCP Supporting Inclusive Workplaces

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DSCP Ability Program Launch: Mr John Paul Phelan TD, Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform has launched the Dublin South City Ability Programme - a free voluntary programme for young people aged 18 – 29 offering support and guidance to develop positive pathways to work and study.   

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DSCP Ability Program Launch: Mr John Paul Phelan TD, Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform has launched the Dublin South City Ability Programme - a free voluntary programme for young people aged 18 – 29 offering support and guidance to develop positive pathways to work and study.   

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Dublin City Office        SWICN Clubhouse    Rainsford St, The Liberties, Dublin 8

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Dublin City Office        SWICN Clubhouse    Rainsford St, The Liberties, Dublin 8

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Guidance Officer       Mairead Reilly                    M:0867807958                  T:01 4732196                    E:maireadability@dscp.ie

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Guidance Officer       Mairead Reilly                    M:0867807958                  T:01 4732196                    E:maireadability@dscp.ie

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Guidance Officer             Ben Lindsay                     M: 0867807957                 T:01 4732196                    E:benability@dscp.ie    

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Guidance Officer             Ben Lindsay                     M: 0867807957                 T:01 4732196                    E:benability@dscp.ie    

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Rathmines Office                New Work Junction             1 Wynnefield Rd, Rathmines, Dublin 8

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Rathmines Office                New Work Junction             1 Wynnefield Rd, Rathmines, Dublin 8