Ability West

04/09/2026

Gorgeous Planters. Thank you Headford Mens Shed and Headford Tidy Towns!!

02/09/2026

We are looking for a relief bus driver:

Purpose of the Role:

To provide transport cover as required when permanent drivers are unavailable due to annual leave or other short‑notice absences.

Provision of transport as required for service users e.g., outings, swimming etc. as directed by the manger of Ancillary Services.

To drive the vehicle in a safe manner in accordance with the Rules of the road and relevant Road Traffic Acts which may be in operation.

Be responsible for the general upkeep of the bus and ensure that it is kept clean and tidy at all times.

For additional details see the link below:

https://api.occupop.com/job/application/bus-driver-relief-staff-galwaytuam-f6ab8

02/09/2026

Marie's Kitchen - This is a fabulous Cookbook which has been compiled by Down Syndrome Limerick. May make a nice Christmas Present whilst supporting a great charity!

Marie’s Kitchen – 101 Tried, Trusted, & Treasured Family Recipes Looking for a beautiful cookbook packed with delicious, much-loved family recipes? Marie’s Kitchen brings together 101 tried, trusted and treasured recipes — the kind of food that brings people together and creates memories aro...

31/08/2026

John Howard, Advocacy Facilitator shared this lovely report about a Galway United event on Friday! Well done to John for supporting the team - what an amazing journey guys!

Outstanding in Their Own Field:

The journey to the Cairdeas Cup may have ended in Dublin, but the pride surrounding this remarkable team was far from over.

On Friday evening, the eleven players who had represented Galway United with such distinction at the Cairdeas Cup had another opportunity to pull on the famous maroon jersey.

This time, however, they weren't stepping onto the pitch to face another team.

They were stepping onto it to be recognised by their own.
The achievement of the Ability West squad had already taken centre stage before the game had even kicked off. Supporters opening the matchday programme were greeted by a two-page feature telling the story of the team's journey, alongside a magnificent full centre-fold photograph celebrating the eleven players and what they had achieved in Dublin.

Their story had become part of the Galway United story.
Then, at half-time, came a moment they will not soon forget.
The players walked onto the pitch as their names were called out and were welcomed by the applause and cheers of the Galway United supporters. For those few minutes, there was no need to explain who they were or why they were there.

The crowd knew.
They had read their story.
They had seen their photograph.
And now they were standing before them, proudly wearing the jersey once again.

The applause was recognition.

Recognition of eleven young men who had travelled to Dublin and represented their club with passion, dignity, respect and pride.
But there was another group of people standing proudly that evening too.

The Ability West staff who had supported the players on their journey.

Support work is often carried out quietly. It can mean early mornings, long journeys, encouragement when confidence is low and celebrating achievements that might seem small to others but mean absolutely everything to the person experiencing them.

But moments like Friday night are a reminder of just how important that work can be.

Good support doesn't simply help someone get through the day.
It helps people live the lives they choose.

It creates opportunities. It opens doors. It encourages people to take part, take chances and discover what is possible.

And while the eleven players rightly took centre stage, those who stood alongside them could also look on with enormous pride.

They had witnessed the journey—from the preparation and anticipation to the competition in Dublin, and finally to the applause of thousands of fellow supporters.

There can be few more rewarding feelings than seeing someone you support experience a moment of genuine pride, recognition and belonging.

Friday night was about football.
But it was also about something much bigger.
It was about opportunity.
It was about inclusion.
It was about belonging.

And as eleven young men stood on the pitch wearing the Galway United jersey, surrounded by the applause of their fellow supporters, there could have been no clearer message:

This is your club.
These are your people.
This is your tribe.

John Howard

28/08/2026

If you are an experienced CORU Registered Social Work Leader, this role might be for you. We are now hiring for a Principal Social Worker to provide strategic, professional and operational leadership for our Social Work Team. Experience working with families and persons supported, safeguarding and Home Sharing Services across Galway City and County essential. To find out more click the link below:

We’re hiring a Principal Social Worker. Check out this important role for Ability West!

26/08/2026

We had a super day in the Dexcom Stadium today to celebrate our Camp Ability Programme this year. It was attended by Mayor Ogbu, our camp children, their families, our amazing Camp Teams, the HSE, Senators, Deputies and Councillors from Galway City and County. A truly amazing event hosted by Connacht Rugby. Huge thanks to our partners Connacht Rugby and Energia. Here’s to even bigger and better camps next year! Read about it all at the link below:

https://www.galwaybayfm.ie/sports/energia-partners-with-galway-based-charity-ability-west-to-make-rugby-more-accessible-to-people-with-intellectual-disability-and-autism-228634



Ability

Energia has announced a two-year extension of its partnership with Connacht Rugby as Official Energy Partner.

25/08/2026

On the 26th of July, eleven guys from Ability West were invited by Galway United to pull on the club jersey and represent them, both as a team and as a community, at the Cairdeas Cup Festival in Abbottstown, Dublin.

They competed with passion, pride and determination as they faced teams representing Sligo, Shelbourne, Drogheda, St. Patrick’s Athletic, Derry and Athlone.

As a team, they were outstanding and deserve enormous credit for the way they represented themselves throughout the day. They wore the Galway United jersey with pride and dignity, stepping up to represent not only themselves, but also Galway United, Ability West, their families and their wider communities.

And they certainly didn’t disappoint.

Consider taking the time to join the Galway United Tribe to honor them at half time during the match against Shelbourne in Eamon Deacy Park on Friday 28th KO 19:45

Buy Galway United Match Tickets: https://www.galwayunitedfc.ie/tickets

Match day concession for people supported by Ability West €13.00 + €1 admin.

Ability West Support Staff admission FOC. (only if supporting someone) Must have Ability West ID

25/08/2026

Croilar Creative Team give you "SLOW DOWN - An advocacy variety show"

Have you ever felt how life can move too fast?

You are getting overwhelmed and anxious and need to keep up with the rest?

In this show, the Croilar Creative Team invites you to imagine what happens when people slow down. When you are allowed to breathe and do things in your own pace. An inclusive society is just one breath away?

This 45-minute variety show will explore this idea through music, theatre, dance and video .

You are most welcome to SLOW DOWN!

Shows in the Ballybane Library on Sept 17th at 11am and Westside Library on Sept 18th at 2.30pm.

21/08/2026

And that's a wrap for this year!

This week, we wrapped up our final Camp Ability camp in Oughterard, marking the fourth and final camp in a series delivered across Galway City and County this year.

Over 80 children participated across the four camps, which took place in Galway City, Tuam, Creggs and Oughterard, creating opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities from communities across the county to take part in fun, inclusive and engaging activities.

Throughout the camps, children enjoyed a wide variety of activities including trike cycling, arts and crafts, drumming, Connect 4, hammock swings, boxing and much more. Most importantly, Camp Ability provided a welcoming and inclusive environment where children could build confidence, make new friends and create lasting memories.

The success of Camp Ability would not have been possible without the incredible support of our specially recruited student staff, our own staff team, and staff from our four special schools. Their enthusiasm, commitment and care helped make good camps truly great camps.

We would also like to acknowledge the significant support of the HSE, our key funder, and extend our sincere thanks to our valued partners Connacht Rugby and Energia. In particular, thank you to Joe Gorham and Laura Scuffil of Connacht Rugby, and Lorna Danaher and Sarah Redmond of Energia, for their ongoing support and commitment to the programme. A special thank you also to the many Connacht Rugby players who took the time to visit the camps and engage with the children throughout the programme.

Thank you to all the parents and families who supported the camps and helped make them such a positive experience for everyone involved.

We are now looking forward to our Celebration of Camp Ability event at Dexcom Stadium, kindly hosted by Connacht Rugby on Wednesday 26th, where we will have the opportunity to thank everyone who played a part in making this initiative such a success.

Most of all, thank you to the amazing children who brought such energy, enthusiasm and joy to each camp.

Here's to an incredible year of Camp Ability and, hopefully, even bigger and better camps in the coming year!

18/08/2026