Drumchapel day care centre set to host fundraising night

Antonine Court on Dunkenny Road is holding a social night on Saturday, May 18 in a bid to raise money for the services they provide.

The centre has existed for over 30 years and aims to provide the highest level of care and support to educate and enable those adults with varying abilities and their families to reach their full potential within their own goals and aspirations.

Jane Doran, who is the assistant manager, highlighted the importance of the upcoming fundraiser.

She said: "We do a lot of fundraising to cover things that the service users need.

"This helps us buy materials, and musical equipment and pay for tutors.

"We tend to do two fundraisers a year, one in the spring and one at Halloween.

"The staff are very much hands-on in this process. We do raffles and tombola and get plenty of prizes from donations as well as trying to make money.

"Over the last two years, we have started a new drama group at the Antonine, and we put on various productions.

"We also do a lot of fun days for the service users during the summer and also have things like Halloween parties.

"Whatever is going on we will be doing it and that is why we are always fundraising."

The centre also provides vital rest bite for families who use the service and Jane was keen to point out how important this factor is.

"Families regularly give us positive feedback," she continued. 

"We also send out questionnaires to ask about how we can improve in certain areas.

"The centre means a lot to carers and families. Having it gives them daily rest bite and allows the service users to come home happy.

"We aim for perfection in terms of the services we provide."

The staff at the Antonine offer a variety of different activities and fundraising events such as the upcoming social night keep the service running.

"We provide transport in the morning to take service users to the centre," she added.

"We provide breakfast and then some morning activities. These include exercises, arts and crafts and ten-pin bowling.

"Then the main activities start which involve jewellery making, storytelling groups or an outing.

"We have a swimming group as well and the outcomes are amazing. It is a privilege to see those who use the service grow in confidence.

"We then provide a variety of lunches before the afternoon activities start."

Jane also highlighted the emotional investment the staff have in seeing the service users succeed.

"It is a rewarding job, and you need to have that in your heart to work here," she added.

"Every staff member is fully invested in the service users and helping them grow.

"It is great to see when someone doubts themselves and then overcomes an obstacle or achieves a goal.

"We have 32 service users currently at the centre. We usually have at least 28 people each day for five days a week.

"The majority are in for five days a week but there also some who are here for three days."