Relay Marathon for WMHA Havenview Therapeutic Fund

Havenview is a 14 bedded HSE residential unit for people who have dual diagnosis. Most of the service users moved to Havenview having previously spent most of their lives in St Christopher’s Ward in St Senan’s Hospital, Enniscorthy. Those we care for have complex needs and have lived in residential care for most of their lives.

Since 2016 there has been a therapeutic fund in association with the Wexford Mental Health Association (WMHA). It has lead to many exciting initiatives and collaborations including the Arts Ability Project in association with Wexford County Council. More recently, Anna Flynn, Integrated Exercise Practitioner for Mental Health Programme under Sports Active Wexford, Wexford County Council has joined the Waterford Wexford Mental Health Services and started to work with us in Havenview.  

With the support of initially the Community Rehabilitation Mental Health Team and now the Mental Health Service for People with Intellectual Disabilities, service users have engaged in activities for example horticulture with Ger Rae, sports club with Aidan Wickam, CWCW.  

We were delighted to receive support from Paul Fallon, Area Lead Mental Health
Engagement and Recovery for a Creative Movement and Music Programme with
Deirdre Grant (@GrantDeirdre) Dance
Artist and Jimi Cullen ( @jimicullenmusic)
Folk Singer and Musician,  in association
with
Emily Redmond, Music Exploration Officer, Wexford County Council which
commenced in May 2020 thanks to
the flexibility and creativity of the staff andartists, and support of management. This built on previous successful initiatives with Emily and Jimi. 

In Havenview we support our service users to engage in meaningful activity in their day to day lives. There are considerable benefits of therapeutic programmes to enhance the day to day working of nursing staff and quality of life.

Given the impact of the COVID 19 crisis, there have been additional restrictions experienced by those we care for.  We are raising money so we can afford them more opportunities to make connections with others and engage in meaningful activities, to safeguard quality of life.

It is no accident that we have chosen a HSE staff and service user relay marathon on June 5th 2020 to do this .

Physical activity is strongly recommended for the prevention and treatment of many illnesses. People with mental health difficulties are more likely to experience poor physical health. People with intellectual disability are also at greater risk of both physical health problems and mental health difficulties. Physical activity is just as important for our psychological health. It improves mood, sleep and self esteem. It also reduces depression and anxiety.   Many people with complex needs face barriers to engage in physical activity.

In Havenview, we aim to focus on ability and recognise the need to work together to find a way to provide opportunities, facilitate choice and preference, with and for, those who need it most.   In Havenview we are proud to part of the national Get Up Get Dressed Get Moving Campaign which aims to  ultimately achieve better health and wellbeing for health and social care users. 

We welcome and sincerely thank you for your support.