All About Cork: Rainbow Club calls for more opportunities for people with disabilities

More social enterprise opportunities need for people with disabilities

The founder of a Mahon charity that supports children, teenagers and young people with autism has highlighted the need for more social enterprise opportunities across Cork and Ireland for people with disabilities.

The Rainbow Club in Mahon provides support for around 1,300 children, teenagers and young people with autism, as well as their families, every week.

Around five years ago, the Cork charity set up the Cottage Community Café, a social enterprise run by part-time staff and volunteers, which offers work experience to the Rainbow Club’s teens and young adults.

The café offers a breakfast and lunch menu including sweet treats, sandwiches and scones, as well as teas and coffees with afternoon tea also on offer.

It also caters for vulnerable and elderly people in the area with dedicated hours on Thursday mornings from 10am until 12pm.

Speaking to The Echo, Rainbow Club founder Karen O’Mahony highlighted the need for more social enterprises, and outlined the positive impact the social enterprise has had for the club’s members.

“We need more social enterprise opportunities in Cork and Ireland for people with disabilities,” she said.

Our café is an example of what opportunities can be given to people with disabilities. The cafe is a training café for autistic people with intellectual difficulties too.

“If you look at models like our café, these could be very achievable for people to set up on their own or to get employed in.

“The café has now been open for five years and has given opportunities to parents of the club to go back to work,” she added.

“It has catered for autistic teens doing transition year, we welcome young adults from the National Learning Network, staff from disability organisations to learn about the café to try and add one in their organisation, [and] we also have neurodivergent staff throughout the club and in the café.

“Our staff that are neurodivergent have amazing skills, are a huge addition to our café, connecting with children, parents and the public in a gorgeous and understanding way.

“They promote inclusion, acceptance and understanding,” she added.

“The café has become a wonderful hub bringing two communities together now as one.

The local residents, groups that come into the community centre and our families are all connected through the café, promoting what community is and the café is at the centre of that.

"The café welcomes young adults from day services, children and teens from ASD units that come out weekly [to] visit for their hot chocolate and cookies.”

Karen explained that her son, Seán, who has a passion and skill for baking, has seen his produce sold as part of the Cottage Community Café’s offering in recent years, and is now setting out to establish his own social enterprise.

“Seán started his journey with baking and building his brand,” she said.

“He has now finished level 4 in YouthReach doing a business module during summer and [is] doing cookery in Cork College of Further Education Training in the autumn.

“He will work with the LEO [Local Enterprise Office] then to set up his bakery as a social enterprise.

“People like Seán can get mentorship and support from the LEO but also in a social enterprise business as employees getting support while working and reaching their full potential,” she added.

Tánaiste pays visit to school

Floydd, the therapy dog at Nagle Community College received a visit from Tánaiste Micheál Martin. The Fianna Fáil leader paid a visit to the secondary school recently.

In a statement on social media, Mr Martin shared a photo of himself and Floydd, saying:

“Meet Floydd! Floydd is a school therapy dog, trained by My Canine Companion, to support students with additional needs such as autism.

“Delighted to meet him during my recent trip to Nagle Community College in Mahon.

“A nice break from the ruff and tumble of politics,” the Tánaiste quipped.

Ringmahon to hold AGM

Ringmahon Rangers will host its AGM at the clubhouse on Monday, May 27, at 6.30pm.

Ursuline students on TV5Monde

Transition Year French students from Ursuline College Blackrock are to feature on French television later this year.

TV5Monde, formerly known as TV5, is a French public television network, broadcasting several channels of French-language programming.

Crews from TV5Monde were in Ireland in recent weeks keen to learn more about Diploma of French Language learning.

They were filming at Ursuline College Blackrock in recent days as part of the documentary.

In a statement, the school said: “Today, we were lucky enough to have our TY French class filmed by a professional TV crew.

TV5Monde is in Ireland and wanted to learn more about DELF exam preparation and meet our motivated students. We also met Laura de Cleach, the cooperation attachée for the French language from the French embassy.

“The students were incredible ambassadors for our school,” the school added.

“We look forward to watching the programme in November, when it will be broadcast.”

Rainbow Club get loan of van

Allow Road Motors has kindly loaned a van to the Rainbow Club in Mahon, which is currently raising funds for a new vehicle after its own broke down.

In a statement, the charity said: “A huge thanks to Dave Ryan and Leah from Mallow Road Motors, who have so kindly stepped in and gave us a loan of a van while we are trying to raise funds to get one.

“Thanks to both of you so much for helping us at a crucial time.”

Have Mahon news you wish to share? Contact Darragh Bermingham.