Infinity Friends' new clubhouse in South Roscommon officially opens
Infinity Friends - a social club for autistic children and youth in Athlone and surrounding areas - officially opened its new clubhouse at Thomastown, Ballydangan, recently.
Adam Harris from charity Asiam.ie cut the ribbon on the new clubhouse on Saturday afternoon, June 28.
Infinity Friends was established by Hilda Duignan and and Claire Earley in 2022 and currently supports 87 children and young people, and their families.
Hilda Duignan said the opening of the clubhouse means that Infinity Friends now has a very safe place that can be enjoyed by all club members.
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Adam Harris performing the official opening of the Infinity Friends clubhouse in Ballydangan, Athlone. Photos: Paulina Kusa.Image 2 of 5
Laura Hammerton, Hilda Duignan, Adam Harris (Aslam), Claire Earley and Carmel Griffin.Image 3 of 5
Infinity Friends volunteers: Tracey Moore, Pearl Carroll, JP Carroll, Carmel Griffin, Laura Hammerton, Colleen Kilkenny, Neil Hammerton and Ivor Earley.Image 4 of 5
Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane and Hilda Duignan.Image 5 of 5
Olivia Lavin and Jane O’Hara (AIB).The new clubhouse includes a large outdoor space which is gated with a keypad, ensuring parents can allow their children to play in a safe environment.
It also contains a bright indoor space with a state-of-the-art sensory room and an OT space with a robust and reinforced swing, which is beneficial for regulating the nervous system.
There is also an area with new table tops for children who enjoy puzzles, art and crafts, or baking.
"For us, it means it's a home from home," explained Hilda.
When Infinity Friends started in 2022, it was renting a space in a community centre to meet once a week and there were initially ten families. Now, the club supports 87 families and operates nine groups over five days of the week.
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings there are groups for ages 12-18, while on Saturdays there is a group for 4-7 year olds and one for 7-11 year olds, and four of these groups on Sundays also.
"It is all voluntarily run by myself and Claire, our two committee members Carmel and Laura, and a few parents have come on board to help facilitate clubs outside of their own child's group," said Hilda.
She explained that children and young people from Athlone, Ballinasloe, Clara, Tullamore, Mullingar and from all parts of Roscommon attend the club, which she says demonstrates the need for their club.
She added that Infinity Friends has been lifechanging for the club members and their parents, with one mother telling her over the weekend the club had changed her son's life because he would have struggled to leave the house for mainstream activities but now once a week he is enthusiastic tocome to a club where he can be himself.
Hilda added that the safe outdoor space allows parents whose child may be a flight risk to let their child run while they enjoy a coffee, giving the parent time to relax while the child has the opportunity to foster their independence in a safe environment.
"It's been incredible for parents and children," she said.