The year marked new developments in the the development of a day service in partnership with two other voluntay services i.e. The Irish wheelchair association and the west limerick center for independent living. Day services for residents and persons living in the community with physical and sensory disability were also developed.

While the cheshire service is focused on adults a need was identified and a childerens day respite service was provided during Christmas. Easter and summer holidays on a pilot basis and proved most successful.

Ongoing partnership was developed with the mid western health board through the development of a community physiotherapy service by the Mid western health board utilising the physiotherapy department at rathfredagh.

A specific service was developed for a person with severe needs on a pilot basis. It is hoped that the experince gained in establishing this service will prove invaluable in developing respopnses to major needs within the region.

The introduction of the Freedom of Information Act to the Cheshire Foundation on 21st October is welcomed as a development underpinning the responsibility and accountability, which has been part of our core practice.

Fundraising continues to be a major part in delevering our service and 2000 proved most sucessful i this respect. Approxiamtely £58000 was raised in 2000.

Capital funding of £95,000 in 2000 has allowed us to purchase an adapted bus which can be driven by all staff members, improve access to the external environment which has meant that residents who have not been into grounds or gardens for many years can now do so an commissioned a generator which ensures ongoing functioning of the service in times of electrical power failure.

A European Volunteer Service Scheme commenced at Rathfredagh in October 2000. This service which has two participants from Europe for one year have helped in progress of establishing an Internet Cafe at Rathfredagh for use by the service clients, staff and the local communnity and will develop web site for Rathfredagh Cheshire service.

Resite Services
Places provided 4
Occupancy levels 95%
Days 1387
No. of service users 20

Day Service
(A) Rathfredagh Cheshire
No. of day places 5
Occupancy levels 100%
Attendences 1250
No. of service users 38

Childrens holiday respite service:
Christmas/New Year-No. of days 3
Attenders 1
Easter No. of days 4
Attenders 5
Summer No. of days 10
Attenders 11