Letterkenny’s first purpose-built centre has opened to support people with autism and mental health difficulties.
Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD, officially launched the new APP Training Services centre this month.
Advocates for Personal Potential (APP) Training Services provides much-needed services for people aged 18 – 65 with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and mental health difficulties.
Minister Joe McHugh TD officially opened the new APP Training Services’ centre in Letterkenny last week.
Established in 2004, APP Training Services offers an outreach service to help individuals and their families achieve their personal goals. The APP Training Services team is highly trained and continuously involved in areas of research and development in relation to autism and mental health. The service has grown in recent years and now offers its programmes across Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim.
John James and Bridget McBride with their daughters Eymer McGeever and Christine McBride.
Speaking at the launch, APP founder and director, John James McBride said: “We started this journey because we wanted to offer individuals and their families a more personalised approach; one that was tailored for – and built around – the individual themselves. Over the past 15 years, our team has been working with members and their families, offering them the impartial advice, guidance and support they need to help them better understand themselves and their needs. We love helping our members do ordinary things in ordinary places through community inclusion and active citizenship.”
He added: “We’re extremely proud of our new centre here in Letterkenny. It’s the perfect base for us to build on our work to date and we look forward to helping many more members and their families navigate their own journey towards personal fulfilment.”
Kathy Donaghey, Julie Gavigan, Maureen Blaney, Meara Blaney, Charlie Blaney, Natallia McGonigle, Cathryn Patton and Hannah Patton at the launch of APP Training Services’ new centre in Letterkenny.
Fiona Doherty, APP Training Services Manager along with Eymer McGeever and Christine McBride.
Mr McBride continued: “I’d like to thank Bridget McBride and Fiona Doherty for taking the leap of faith with me all those years ago and for their continued help and guidance. I’d also like to thank our hard-working and dedicated team who work brilliantly with our members and special thanks to Ann Marie Ward, HSE for her support too – she’s always willing to work with us and listen to us. I’d also like to thank Minister Joe McHugh TD for officially launching the new centre and a special thanks to our special guests Eoin Callaghan, APP member and his mum, Karen Callaghan for joining us today”.
APP member, Eoin Callahan also gave an emotional speech at the launch, commending the great work of APP Training Services saying, “they looked at my ability and not my disability”.
Pictured along with Minister Joe McHugh TD at the opening of APP Training Services’ new centre in Lettekenny are Eoin Callaghan and his mum, Karen.
Closing the event, Minister Joe McHugh TD said: “It’s great to hear first-hand the many ways in which APP promotes personal achievement and empowerment, which in turn extends to the family and the community. We take a lot of things for granted and can learn from one another. Well done to John James, Bridget and Fiona and the entire APP team for driving the service and for providing an avenue to help people across the northwest and further afield. It’s clear to see that APP Training Services works for the community from the ground up.”
Pictured speaking at the official opening of APP Training Services’ new centre in Letterkenny is Minister Joe McHugh TD.
