Where can I meet or make new friends?

Over 40 years ago a number of parents could see the need to set up a social club for their children, many of which had a special need/intellectual disability. Nothing else was around at the time so they took matters into their own hands and started ‘Dundrum Arch Club’. This club now in it’s 40th year offers a social outlet for adults age 17+ with an intellectual disability. There are now over 50 Arch Club in Ireland mostly run on a voluntary basis – http://www.archclubs.com.

So what happens at Dundrum Arch Club and why should I join up? Well…. we have a fantastic range of activities run by a super team of volunteers (non family too..). We meet every week on a Wednesday night in Ballinteer http://www.ballinteercs.ie/ from 7.30-9.30pm. We offer a social outlet to members with an intellectual disability who may not have any other outlet. The club runs with a team of over 25 weekly volunteers and another 45 drivers. Drivers give up 1 Wednesday a month to drive 3 members to and from the club and the club continues to grow each year. Not only that but 2 units from the Order of Malta Dundrum and Crumlin have this club as their weekly service http://www.orderofmaltaireland.org. This gives families, volunteers and members the comfort that first aid is at hand if required.

Dundrum Arch Club http://www.dundrumarchclub.com celebrates St. Patrick’s Day and cooks up a storm at a cooking course with ‘Smart Cooking’ http://www.smartcookingacademy.com.

Socialising has proven to be a health and physical benefit for years.

Dundrum Arch Club works individually with new members to ensure they fit right in and find their niche area within the club. Offering some fantastic activities such as – bingo, pool, tabletennis, dancing, computers, photography, lamh sign language, arts and crafts, the  club also does an annual weekend break away. In the past these trips took place at http://www.sharevillage.org, http://www.trabolgan.com and recently at http://www.barrestown.org. Each trip give families a much needed respite and also gives members that independent feeling they aspire to have.

One of our helpers Lauren Kelly prepared this fantastic video of our weekend away. Super job Lauren.

Whilst there are a number of other social outlets available most are linked do a day service or specific disability. For more information please visit http://www.dundrumarchclub.com or http://www.archclubs.com. Also click on http://www.specialneedsparents.ie/clubs-activities/leinster-clubs-activities/#.WMFIj7umnIV for more clubs and activities.

Whilst this event is dated 2009, it was one of the most memorable Arch Federation http://www.archclubs.com social events so far. I was part of the events committee who organised the event held in Croke Park and it was a huge success. Dancing, meeting new and old friends were the highlights on the day along with some famous faces from Fair City who popped by to say hello.  Over 400 people attended from over 30 arch clubs throughout Ireland. They don’t take place every year due to funding but we hope to attend this years event in Lucan Co. Dublin.