Cathal Nolan, GMC Member, The Hospital Saturday Fund presenting Karen Lennon, Julie Walsh and Serena O’Neill, Coolmine Therapeutic Community with their grant of €10,000 towards upgrading the medical room in the women’s residential centre.
About Coolmine
Coolmine is a drug and alcohol treatment centre providing services and support for 50 years to people and their families suffering with problematic substance use. Their mission is to encourage psychological and lifestyle changes, empowering people to maintain a drug-free life.
Transforming lives as a community
The Therapeutic Community model, a treatment and rehabilitation approach, provides a small, structured drug-free community for clients, using peer support treatments to allow participants to leave drug-free.
Residents contribute to each other’s recovery by working together to run the community by actively participating in chores (cleaning, laundry, cooking, gardening), educational activities, group, and individual therapy.
Supporting families at Ashleigh House
A major barrier for mothers seeking help from their addiction is the fear of being separated from their children. Ashleigh House is currently the only mother and child residential treatment programme in Ireland.
With a childcare programme in a dedicated creche, mothers can feel safe in the knowledge that whilst they are engaging in the programme their children are safe in a secure, caring and nurturing environment during their residency.
The six month program is extremely successful: after two years of treatment, 72% of clients are drug free and thanks to the Step Down program integrating clients back into society, employment rates after recovery increased by over 20% in a year.
Current challenge: cramped medical room at Coolmine. Their goal: expand, upgrade, and enhance with modern facilities for better care.
Medical facilities at Ashleigh House: Our Grant
The buildings at Ashleigh House are old and they have been gradually upgraded over time, but there are still areas that need attention, such as the Medical room. The house has regularly visiting nurses and GP’s, but facilities are small and not fit for purpose. The facilities need enlarging and upgrading medical fittings, allowing residents to be treated with greater dignity and care.
Moved by the way Ashleigh House is transforming the lives of families so positively, allowing residents to turn away from illicit drugs, crime and gain employment with scarce resources. In July 2023, The Hospital Saturday Fund awarded Coolmine Therapeutic Community with a €10,000 grant towards upgrading the medical room in the women’s residential centre.
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