President visits Roscommon Disability Support Group
In what is believed to be her first official visit to County Roscommon, President Catherine Connolly recently visited County Roscommon Disability Support Group CLG (RSG). She was accompanied by her husband Brian McEnery and members of her delegation. She was last in Roscommon as a presidential candidate spending the final day of her campaign canvassing in the county.
The RSG is a not-for-profit organisation and HSE-approved provider of disability and home support services. It delivers person-centred supports to people with physical and sensory disabilities across County Roscommon and older persons home support in Roscommon and surrounding counties.
The staff, board of management trustees and service members joined in to welcome the Presidential party. Michael Cleary, board trustee, greeted her in with a message in Gaeilge, setting the tone for the event.
During their visit, President Connolly and Mr McEnery spent more than two hours meeting with service users, staff members and board trustees. Taking time to speak individually with many of those present, the President engaged warmly with the stories, experiences and achievements of the people who make up the RSG community.
Service users and staff alike were delighted to have the opportunity to share their personal journeys, discuss the supports provided by RSG, and highlight the positive impact that the organisation continues to have throughout County Roscommon.
A member of the RSG staff said that President Connolly and Mr McEnery's warmth, friendliness and willingness to engage with everyone present made a lasting impression on the group members. “Conversations flowed easily throughout the day, with many stories shared, friendships formed and plenty of laughter enjoyed along the way,” they added.
Members of the RSG community expressed their appreciation for the time the President and her husband dedicated to meeting people individually and learning more about the organisation's work. Tony Byrne, an RSG service user, said: "It was a real privilege to welcome President Connolly to RSG. Her warmth, kindness and sincere engagement with everyone she met made the visit incredibly special. We were proud to share our stories and experiences with her, and it is a day I will never forget."Elaine Hanly, RSG's Services and Clinical Governance Manager, said: "Being chosen to host the Presidential visit was a tremendous privilege and an honour for all of us at RSG. We were delighted to showcase the work of RSG and to see President Connolly and Mr McEnery take so much time to engage with our service users, staff and trustees. It was a very special occasion and one that we will remember for many years to come."
Chief Executive Officer, Joan Dowd, who was out of the country on a pre-arranged commitment, said she was immensely proud of the RSG welcome extended to President Catherine Connolly and her delegation.