Couch to 5K

Couch to 5k is delivered by Inishowen Athletics. They will guide you safely through from a totally sedentary lifestyle to running a 5k in 8 weeks. The programme finishes with a 5k Fun Run, the perfect way for you to celebrate your achievements.

Couch to 5K benefits:

• Reduces your chances of health risks.
• Improves your mood. Exercise releases endorphins which improve your mood.
• Helps with weight loss. If you're looking to shift a few pounds, running is a good way to slim down.
• It's for everyone.

Sea Swimming

In 2022 we introduced a 6-week sea swimming programme for beginners and those used to the water. For centuries, people have been coming to the coast to feel the healing effects of cold seawater and fresh sea air. So we wanted to help people share these benefits here in Inishowen.

What are the benefits of swimming in cold water?

• It boosts your immune system. The effects of cold water on the immune system have been studied widely.
• It gives you a natural high.
• It improves your circulation.
• It increases your libido.
• It burns calories.
• It reduces stress.
• It is a great way of socialising and making new friends.

Classes

We run a variety of adult education classes in partnership with Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB). These classes include:

• Dressmaking with Bernie Murphy Textile Designer.
• Interior Design.
• Flower Arranging.
• Spanish.

Is there is a class you would like to do but can’t find locally? Then contact us at Spraoi, and let us know. Our philosophy is to try and meet local demands in any way we can!

Disability

Spraoi agus Spórt is proud to work in partnership with the HSE in the field of adult disability. At present, we offer support services for adults with disabilities in a number of ways, including the following

• Social Buddies:
  This initiative aims to offer extra support to people attending intellectual disability (ID) day services. Volunteers give their time to enable those using ID day services to socialise and attend activities in their communities. Co-Ordinator, Caroline McDaid, says social buddies aims to help these adults gain more social support outside the day service hours. Volunteers can also help them make more friendships in the local community. Under the scheme, adults with intellectual disabilities are matched with volunteers of similar age/location and interests. Volunteers are Garda vetted and receive training as part of the service. There’s also an online version called ‘E-social buddies’ where you can meet online to play games or just have a chat.
• Service Reform:
  The Spraoi agus Spórt Service Reform (SRF) team in Inishowen works to transform services for adults with disabilities. Since January 2022, we have partnered with the HSE to help people with disabilities move into more inclusive community settings. Specifically, we are supporting these adults to move from existing services at James Conolly Memorial Hospital (JCM) and Milltown House. Instead, we support them towards living in a modernised, person-centred service, which promotes community inclusion and active citizenship. So, the SRF team is helping residents move from ‘congregated’ settings of 10 or more people, into ordinary homes within their local community. Our focus has been on improving the quality of care they receive and increasing their opportunities for community participation. We have worked with teams to help them implement The New Directions Policy within their services. The New Directions Policy is the HSE’s approach to support adults with disabilities who use day services. New Directions sets out twelve supports that should be available to each individual with disabilities who use day services. We have done this by providing extensive staff training and using person-centred tools. This has included the introduction of ‘Multi Me’, a secure, accessible, social, person-centred digital platform and toolkit. The platform is for individuals with disabilities and the circle of people that support them in their daily lives. It is designed to help people have a voice and enable them to have more choice and control in their life. It provides a set of tools that are easy to use, with simple graphics and colour coding to make navigation straight forward. It can help them store and access key information, organize their ideas and their lives, and enhance computer skills. This creates a more joined up and accessible person-centred planning process, with increased use of multimedia. Throughout this project, Spraoi agus Spórt have been strong advocates for people with disabilities to live more inclusive lives within their community. The SRF team will continue collaborating with service users, their families and staff members to provide a person-centred model of care for everyone.
• Day Service for School Leavers with Complex Needs
  Spraoi agus Spórt is constantly growing and to meet the needs of our clients, we develop new services all the time. Some of our clients have been with us since they were children and outgrew our services, so we adapted to meet demand with this new service. For example, long-time special needs client Cliodhna McCarron has been attending our camps and activities since childhood. She has now left school but can remain under Spraoi’s umbrella into adulthood.

• Time For Us.
• Swimming.
• Horse Riding.
• One to One Support.