Rainbow Services
The Rainbows programme supports children and young people affected by loss because of bereavement, separation or divorce. The service is available in local communities and selected schools throughout Ireland. The Rainbows programme may be running in your child’s school. If the programme is not running in your child’s school you can look for the list of community centres which are running the programme to find a suitable centre for your child to do the programme. Follow the link below and click on your area. Community centres are listed on the left and schools are listed on the right of the page.
www.rainbowsireland.ie/where-is-rainbows
Play Therapy
Play provides a way for children to express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process. As children’s experiences and knowledge are often communicated through play, it becomes an important vehicle for them to know and accept themselves and others. Play therapy may be helpful for your child with EB or for their siblings. Play Therapy Ireland and the Irish Play Therapy Association can recommend a therapist in your area if you email them.
Play Therapy Ireland: [email protected]
Irish Play Therapy Association: [email protected]
Counselling
There are many counsellors working in Co. Wicklow. You can find a counsellor who suits your needs and location by visiting the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) or the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP) websites. Both websites provide a handy tool which helps you to find a therapist in your area and gives you details of the work which they do. You can also contact both bodies by telephone to enquire about local counsellors.
IAHIP
Website: www.iahip.org/find-a-therapist
Telephone: 01-2841665
IACP
Website: www.iacp.ie
Telephone: 01-2303536
Barnardos
Barnardos run Family Support Services such as parenting programmes, after school groups and family welfare conferences which offer all family members a chance to gather, discuss and make future plans to help your child. Barnardos offer advice and support in a non-judgemental way. You can refer your child yourself by contacting your local centre or you can ask your public health nurse or GP to refer your child. Contact your local service centre or visit Barnardos website for more information. Follow the link below to find your local service. Website: www.barnardos.ie/contact/barnardos-service-centres-contact-details.html
There is currently no Barnardos service in Co. Wicklow but services are available in Co. Wexford and Co. Dublin.
Enable Ireland
Services are available to children living in the North Wicklow and South Wicklow areas who have a physical disability. Some children who have EB may benefit from this service. Children can be referred to the service by their GP, hospital consultant, Public Health Nurse or parent. It is important to include as much information about your child’s condition as possible and to include any medical reports which have been written about your child when you are making a referral. For more information, and to find out if your child is eligible for services, you can visit www.enableireland.ie or you can contact Enable Ireland in Bray (if you live in North Wicklow) or Arklow (if you live in South Wicklow).
Bray
Address: Enable Ireland, Marino Centre, Church Road, Bray
Telephone: 01-2867543
Email: [email protected]
Arklow
Address: Enable Ireland Arklow, 2nd Floor, Avoca River House, North Quay, Arklow
Telephone: 0402-91028
Email: [email protected]
Community Health Centres
At your local community health centre, you can apply for services, meet your Public Health Nurse and find information about health and personal social services. The Public Health Nurse is an important person in providing care in the community for people with EB. In order to contact your Public Health Nurse contact the centre which is closest to where you live and ask for the Public Health Nurse who covers your address.
| Area | Telephone |
| Arklow | 0402-39624 |
| Aughrim | 0402-36316 |
| Avoca | 0402-35170 |
| Barndarrig | 0404-48107 |
| Baltinglass | 059-6481081 |
| Blessington | 045-865141 |
| Bray | 01-2744100 |
| Delgany | 01-2875832 |
| Greystones | 01-2877311 |
| Kilcoole/Newtown Mount Kennedy | 01-2018500 |
| Knockananna | 059-6471111 |
| Rathdrum | 0404-46231 |
| Roundwood | 01-2818481 |
| Shillelagh | 053-9429306 |
| Tinahely | 0402-38238 |
| Wicklow Town | 0404-68400 |
Personal Assistant Service
The HSE will sometimes provide a Personal Assistant service for people with physical disabilities who are over the age of 18. Personal Assistants work practically with individuals with disabilities to enable access to the community and to increase the person’s ability to live independently in the community. The work the Personal Assistant does is led by the individual they are working with. Currently there is very little funding for the Personal Assistant service and it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain access to the service. However, if you feel that you or a family member could benefit from this service you can contact your Local Health Office to see if the service is being provided in your area. Below is a link to the list of Local Health Offices in Ireland.
www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/LHO/
Supplementary Welfare
Supplementary welfare can be applied for during specific times in the below local offices. You must attend the clinic which is in your catchment area. If your area is not listed below you should attend the nearest clinic to you. Supplementary welfare includes exceptional needs payments, urgent needs payments, dietary needs payments, back to school clothing and footwear allowance, school meals programme and basic supplementary welfare allowance.
List of local offices: www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/otheroffice/community-welfare-office-wicklow.aspx
Housing
The housing department advises on and assists with queries on social and affordable housing, housing standards, rents, housing repairs, adaptation for disability etc. You can contact them with your query using the below information. The housing department also has a good website which contains a lot of useful information on housing.
Website: www.wicklow.ie/housing
Address: Housing Department, Wicklow County Council Buildings, Whitegates, Wicklow Town
Housing Counter Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-3:30pm. Open through lunchtime.
Telephone: 0404-20120
Email: [email protected]
If you are living in private rented accommodation you can contact Threshold or the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). Both bodies also have a helpful Frequently Asked Questions page on their websites.
Threshold – Frequently asked questions: www.threshold.ie/advice/
Phone number: 1890 334 334
Private Residential Tenancies Board – Frequently asked questions: www.prtb.ie/tenants/helpful-info
Phone number: 0818 30 30 37
Citizens Information
Citizens Information give free confidential and independent information on a range of issues including social welfare services, housing, health, family and relationships, education and employment. This information can be accessed online, on the telephone or in person at local centres across Co. Wicklow. There is also a centre located in Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin which is open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30am-12:30pm which might be helpful for you and your family.
Online: www.citizensinformation.ie
National Telephone Line: 0761-074000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm)
List of local centres: centres.citizensinformation.ie/county.php?county=wicklow
MABS
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service can give you advice on how to handle the extra costs involved in caring for a child with EB. They have a national helpline which is open from Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and they also have 2 local centres located in Arklow and Bray.
Website: www.mabs.ie
National Helpline: 0761-072000
List of local centres: www.mabs.ie/contact-mabs/wicklow/
