Mary Butler, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health visited Slí Eile, the mental health recovery charity at Churchtown recently, to see the tremendous work being done there to support people recovering from mental health illness. The Minister was accompanied by Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth with special responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion, Michael Moynihan TD, as well as Cllrs. Ian Doyle and Neilus Cotter. Ian Power, special adviser to the Minister for Mental Heath and former CEO of youth mental health organisation, Spunout was also in attendance.
Jess Angland, Slí Eile CEO outlined the successes achieved by the organisation since the organisations was founded by Joan Hamilton, spoke about the twenty-four-hour care provided to tenants and belief in trauma informed practice. She discussed the benefits of nature-based recovery, outlined how the organisation is hugely supported by the local community and told those present how the organisation was facing increasing bills and maintenance costs.
The Minister thanked Jess and the Board for the invitation to visit Slí Eile, praised the staff and volunteers for their work and thanked the tenants for welcoming her to Burton Park. Slí Eile epitomised the HSE Sharing the Vision strategy of putting the service user front and centre of it’s work, she said.
Later on social media, she said ‘Slí Eile provides person centred support for people experiencing mental health difficulties with an emphasis on meaningful activities, independence and social inclusion. This model offers a safe base for up to 18 months and an opportunity to partake in real world social enterprises’. She outlined how it was a unique service, was embedded in the heart of the community, had lots of volunteers and offered peer to peer support to tenants. She encouraged people to check out the Saturday weekend farmers’ market! She said it was great to chat with the tenants and understand the importance of the vital Slí Eile support service.
She met tenants, toured the magnificent residential building and was shown the horticulture and poly tunnel areas, which offer purposeful and meaningful activities to residents. She also viewed the Burton Park courtyard where the weekly Saturday market is held.
Slí Eile Board Chair, Billy Cotter said “It was great to meet the Minister today and for Sli Eile to get the recognition that it has. We’re a very unique model and for the State and the Minster for Mental Health to recognise what we do here is absolutely great for everyone involved”.
Slí Eile is supported financially by the HSE, which was represented by members of the Cork North Mental Health team, including Clinical Director Dr. Alin Dumitrescu.
It was a great day for the visitors to connect, share their hopes for Slí Eile and hear personal stories from tenants about their recovery and the benefits of the Slí Eile care farm, nature based, supported model. One former tenant outlined how she was supported by the charity through her recovery journey and how she now returns regularly to support current tenants and assist at the social enterprises. She spoke about how she now lives a fulfilled, independent life, which Slí Eile supported. Slí Eile operates several social enterprises in order to provide structured, meaningful occupation to tenants, if they wish and to raise vital funds for the charity. It operates a vintage shop and a bakery in Charleville, an online vintage Facebook page, an organic farm and the very successful weekly Saturday morning market at Churchtown. Slí Eile produce is stocked in local shops including shops in Charleville, Churchtown and Liscarroll.
Speaking after the visit Minister Michael Moynihan said “I was delighted to welcome my colleague Minister Mary Butler to Sli Eile in Churchtown, and I know that Minister Butler was hugely impressed by the superb work and commitment of everyone at Slí Eile. I have been honoured to work closely with the management team here for many years and will certainly continue to do everything I can to support the really innovative and impactful service provided by the dedicated team at Sli Eile”.
The Ministers’ visit is a significant milestone in the history of Slí Eile, the Board and staff are keen to spread the word on how successful the model can be, this visit will certainly help.
Slí Eile supports people at a time of crisis in their lives, supporting them to recover and lead independent lives. As well as being involved in the social enterprises, tenants can access a range of local courses and classes, in order to assist them to build confidence, develop new skills and connect socially. Past tenants now live in their own homes or have returned to families; many have taken up employment or further study.
People can support the work of Slí Eile by visiting their social enterprises.
See the Slí Eile Facebook page for news of upcoming events and the Slí Eile Vintage store Facebook page for weekly bargains. Every euro spent at the market or the shop makes a real difference to the charity and assists them to help people in need.
Jess Angland, CEO said: “It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the unique work of Sli Eile and the difference our community makes in supporting people on their recovery journey. Our visitors met with tenants, staff, families and supporters, and heard firsthand about the importance of connection, meaningful activity, community and belonging in supporting mental health and recovery. We also want to thank the HSE for their ongoing support and the North Cork Mental health team for coming today to support us”.