2023 Annual Report
A message from Cormac Megannety, Chairperson
Welcome to Open Door’s 2023 Annual Report.
Open Door finds itself enjoying a very ‘settled’ period of operation. Since the travails of Covid and its impact on our centre, we have now very much returned to normal. Members are coming back to us and using our facilities once again. Indeed, over the last 12 months, we have attracted some new members into the centre to enjoy our artwork, woodwork, ceramics and physiotherapy services.
Over the last 12 months we have kept the same staffing levels as in 2022 and have had great success in our renewed fundraising drive. We are so grateful for all donations made to us, as we are for all the free time our volunteers offer us. Open Door has really become a ‘community centre’ with people offering to help us in any way they can. We are confident that the services we offer our community will continue to evolve as member requirements change over time.
We are unique in many ways. Our transport services help our members come to the centre in the mornings and get home in the afternoons. This in turn provides much needed respite to their families, so we truly spread out and integrate within the community from our base on the Vevay Road. Our exhibitions, Mid-Summer lunches and other open events bring that community into us so that they in some way, can gain an understanding of what we do day to day and see if there is anything they can contribute in return. This is how we have always functioned, and it is a credit to our centre manager, all his staff and support teams, that this vital service can continue to grow into the future.
I would like to also extend our thanks to our Board of Trustees for their stewardship of the centre, to Rudy Montejo and his management team for their dedicated hard work, diligence and exceptional level of care to all our members over the last 12 months.
With all our supports in place, we can look forward to a very bright future in Open Door.
Cormac
Cormac Megannety
Chairman Open Door.
Open Door is partially funded by the Health Service Executive. We are constantly fundraising in order to meet the deficit. Our friends and supporters help through participating in events such as table quizzes, exhibitions, the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, our annual Mid-Summer Lunch and various challenges including our 800 mile challenge. Many thanks to all who help to raise funds. Please consider Open Door as one of your chosen charities.
January
We were delighted to welcome our members, staff and volunteers back to the Centre after the Christmas break. Everyone was eager to catch-up with their friends at Open Door and to return to the activities available at the Centre.
Stephen Shannon, son of past member Declan Shannon, decided to organise a sponsored ‘Beard Shave’ in memory of his father. Declan was a much loved member at Open Door for many years and he particularly enjoyed the ceramics and art sessions. Stephen said in his on-line fundraiser “It is now time to say goodbye to the big bushy beard. I am trying to raise a couple of euro in the process for Open Door Bray where my dad spent a lot of very happy memories. I am Aware that times are tough for a lot of folks but if you had some money to spare it’d be greatly appreciated.” Through a GoFundMe page a total of €1,435 was raised to go towards activities at Open Door.
February
Open Door was delighted to be one of the three charities benefitting from the Tesco Community Fund in the Greystones store.
Thank you to those who use our clothes recycling bank. Small things like this continue to bring in some much needed funding for Open Door.
Open Doo clothes recycling bank
March
The Sugarloaf Lions Club table quiz took place in Greystones Rugby Club on Thursday March 30th. The evening was a great success with 24 tables taking part. Thank you to all at Sugarloaf Lions Club and also to those who supported this event. A total of €1,600 was raised on the night.
We received a grant from MHF for funding to purchase physio aids including wrist cuffs and forearm shells for hand fixation to complement our MotoMed bikes. This equipment is in daily use and is helping many of our members during their physiotherapy sessions.
April
On Wednesday 5th April Dargle Bridge Club presented Open Door with €900 as a result of their Christmas and Easter raffles.
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We run monthly in-house raffles for our members. Everyone enjoys taking part in this fun event which brings in funds to go towards the many activities available at the Centre. Please consider donating any items that may suit as prizes.
May
Kevin Moore, suffered a catastrophic stroke in January 2020 and was given a 1% chance of survival. Following many months in hospital and in then in rehab, Kevin was referred to Open Door in August 2020. Kevin finds the activities are helping him to regain strength and he decided to give back to Open Door by setting up a crowdfunding page ‘Kevin’s 1 Mile Walk’ in May 2023. This was no mean feat as Kevin was in a wheelchair when he first attended the Centre. He has worked with Justyna Oleksiewicz, Physiotherapist to build up the strength in his legs and on May 6th 2023 he completed his 1 mile walk at The Murrough in Wicklow. He was cheered on by family and friends and raised €1,630 to go towards activities at Open Door. Kevin’s achievement was reported in the Sunday World magazine, the Wicklow People, the Bray People, North Wicklow Times and also on East Coast FM.
National Volunteering week took place from 15th May to 21st May. Many thanks to the many wonderful volunteers who help out with activities at Open Door.
June
We were delighted to host out Mid-Summer Lunch on Saturday 17th June. 84 guests enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by chef, John Tutty, Christina Edge and Christopher Daly. Between ticket sales, donations and a raffle a total of €4,384.30 was raised. This will go towards the various activities available to adults with physical disabilities.
July
Following the success of our 500 mile challenge in 2021 and our 1,000 km challenge in 2022, members, staff, supporters and volunteers took on the 2023 challenge of reaching 800 miles / 1,287 km during the month of July. Members used some of the Physiotherapy equipment including the treadmill, the cross-trainer and the MotoMed bikes to clock up their mileage and raise sponsorship in aid of Open Door. The challenge was completed and €2,250 was raised.
Open Door was awarded a 2023 HSE National Lottery Grant to purchase a new smart TV and Google Nest Hubs to be used by our members in the main room at the centre.
August
The Centre was closed for the annual summer break during the first two weeks of August.
We received a grant from Sunbeam Trust to purchase a new MotoMed bike for Physiotherapy. This equipment is a fantastic addition to the Physio Department and is in daily use by our members.
September
Thanks to Geraldine Holland, Trustee, we organised a, once-off, pop-up shop in the Library for one week, Monday 18th September – Friday 22nd September. There were women’s clothes and accessories for sale. Through sales to members, staff, volunteers and supporters we raised €1,079.
October
Open Door was one of the charities supported by the Kilmacanogue and District Horse Show Society. The 51st annual Kilmacanogue Horse Show took place on July 22nd. Open Door was presented with a cheque for €1,500 at a ceremony in Enniskerry on October 2nd.
November
The Open Door Exhibition of Art, Ceramics, Mosaics and Woodwork took place in the Centre during the week of 6th November to 10th November. There was a steady stream of guests throughout the week. Many of the member’s artwork sold quickly. We plan to hold another exhibition in mid-2024.
December
Open Door had a stall at the Loreto Secondary School Christmas Market on Saturday 9th December. The Loreto students and teachers support Open Door in many different ways and it is very much appreciated.
The Christmas celebrations at the centre went very well and were enjoyed by all. The members, staff and volunteers would like to thank those who donated gifts, raffle prizes, mince pies, soft drinks, sweets and cake
Wishing everyone a very safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
