In programme five of this new series Three 60 visits The Festina – Lente Foundation outside Bray, which is a riding school offering a wide range of training and employment opportunities for people wishing to follow a career in either the equestrian or horticultural areas, many with different experiences of disability. Three 60 also meet two people with learning disabilities who have moved out of residential care and into their own flat.
Topic One:
Horses help unemployed people with their career prospects
Job – hunting can be a difficult and timeconsuming process. Designing ones curriculum vitae, preparing what to say at interviews and weighing up long- term career opportunities can prove a challenging prospect. For many disabled people, issues such as disclosing a disability, employer attitudes and workplace prejudices can ensure that applying for a job is a complex task. This week on Three 60, we meet a group of people who have just finished a three year Fás training course and are considering their future employment goals.
The Festina – Lente Foundation was set up in 1988 and is located just 1 km outside of Bray Co.Wicklow. The aim of the riding school is to offer a wide range of training and employment opportunities for people wishing to follow a career in either the equestrian or horticultural areas.
Many of the contributors have direct experience of what it feels like to be marginalised by society. For example, there are members of the travelling community, disabled people and lone parents who all work and train together in the centre. It has been proved that work with horses harnesses people’s interest in a very positive way
At the moment, there are many people with different experiences of disability attending the training course. This ranges from people who have a mental health issue, a learning disability and people with pervasive developmental disabilities such as autism. Other participants share personal accounts of progression from trainees into full time staff members.
What makes the Festina – Lente Foundation stand out is the fact that horses can form a significant role in shaping participants confidence and outlook for the future. This course has opened up the opportunity to work with horses offering a positive focus and enabling participants to concentrate on their abilities, talents and career paths moving forward.
Topic Two:
Independent Living
Most people who rent accommodation will remember choosing their location, saving for the deposit and budgeting for their first grocery and electricity bill. Marie and Christina’s experiences are no different. However, as people with learning disabilities, both women faced specific challenges in demonstrating their ability to live in their own home. Advocacy co-ordinator, Josephine Flaherty highlights how services such as the Brothers of Charity in Galway have begun the initial process of enabling disabled service users to become the central players in their own decisions.
Since moving out, Marie and Christina have been provided with on-going support from specific staff in the Brothers of Charity who visit their home daily. This is enhanced by regular contact and advice from Josephine who encourages Marie and Christina to work out their own solutions to any issues or concerns that arise for them.
Three 60 meets Christina and Marie as they prepare to host their very first house warming party. Guests have been invited; the musical entertainment has been selected and the remaining challenge is to visit the local supermarket on a tight budget to purchase plenty of food and drink.
Marie and Christina’s stories share parallels with last years film Inside I am dancing, which documented the experience of two young disabled men and their struggle to leave residential care and secure their own flat. Living independently may not always be an immediate or available possibility for everyone with a learning disability. However, Marie and Christina’s story demonstrates how a supportive environment has enabled their aspirations and personal wishes to be achieved. The women’s diverse personalities are captured in Marie’s love of karaoke and Christina’s exceptional artistic talents.