The Crann Centre expects more than 250 children to participate in activities that have received a major boost through a grant from the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal.
It was announced that the charity, which provides a range of clinical, educational and social activity programmes for children and families living with neuro-physical disabilities, is to receive a transformational grant of €140,000 over two years from the Toy Show Appeal, through the appeal’s partners Community Foundation Ireland.
Based in Ovens in Cork, The Crann Centre has a multidisciplinary team of experts, in healthcare, education and career coaching, psychotherapy, social prescribing and case management who provide lifelong solutions for children, adults and families living with neuro-physical disabilities.
Through its unique ‘2 Generation’ Model of Care, Crann supports children and adults living with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, osteogenesis imperfecta, stroke and other neuro-physical disabilities and crucially their families.
INCREASE IN REFERRALS
The charity is seeing a marked increase in the numbers of children and adults being referred to it for support, welcoming three new families each week. It now supports over 700 families from Cork, Kerry and across Munster.
In addition to important clinical services, families have identified opportunities for social engagement with peers, participation in play, outdoor activities and the arts as being important to their overall health and wellbeing.
The grant will fund Crann’s Social Capital Programme which includes fully inclusive summer camps, youth clubs, ecology workshops, conservation, visual arts, music, Christmas at Crann, family barbecues and its accessible theatre group called ‘Breaking Barriers’.
The Breaking Barriers youth theatre group staged two performances of Aladdin in Cork City Hall recently. The show was the culmination of months of hard work from the children and teenagers who attend weekly group meet-ups every Saturday morning from September to June.
BENEFICIAL
Demand for Crann’s Social Capital Programme has grown rapidly by 30% in each of the past two years. A recent Social Return on Investment (SROI) evaluation, carried out by Crann, found that 67% of children and adults self-reported that their social confidence was significantly boosted through their participation in the programme. They shared how their independence, skills and friendship groups had all increased, they felt happier and more included. The Programme is led by Social Capital Lead Tara O’Donovan.
For more information on the Crann Centre go to www.cranncentre.ie
