Bell Time Magazine Autumn/Winter 2015 | Page 21

Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) was founded in 1960 by a small group of wheelchair users committed to improving the lives of people with physical disabilities in Ireland. Today, the Association is one of Ireland’s leading social enterprises and representative organisations providing services and support to over 20,000 members nationwide. On an annual basis the Association provides over 2 million hours of service to people with disabilities in their homes and communities throughout Ireland. IWA relies heavily on local volunteers to support the range of services, activities and initiatives delivered on a weekly basis. With a presence in every county, IWA operates from a network of 57 local centres and three holiday centres. These centres support people with disabilities and others with reduced mobility in their day-to-day lives by delivering locallybased recreational, educational and social programmes designed to facilitate personal development and interaction with the local community. A key contributor to the success of the centres is the creation of links and partnerships with other local community groups, sports organisations, businesses and schools. We are delighted to work alongside Transition Year students and teachers to facilitate work experience opportunities and initiatives. If you are interested in volunteering with IWA and would like to support people with disabilities living in your community please visit www.iwa.ie or email [email protected] To support our range of services, IWA organises many fundraising events during the year. Angels is IWA’s largest fundraising campaign and this year the national collection days will take place on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th November. IWA is currently seeking volunteer support for the Angels Campaign 2015, and are appealing to schools, colleges and businesses to assist the local IWA Centre in their area. Hundreds of volunteers are required throughout Ireland to sell Angel pins, children’s fun packs, and other Angel products for just €2 each during the national collection days. IWA are conscious that many of our supporters are not available to volunteer during the national collection days due to other commitments and instead ask them to organise a fundraising event in their school during the month of November such as; a no uniform day, raffle or bake sale which the rest of the school can take part in. The Fundraising Department would be delighted to support with any Angels event by supplying an AngelsFundraising Pack which includes information, balloons and a selection of Angel products to sell at the event. For further information about Irish Wheelchair Association and the Angels Campaign please visit www.iwa.ie or visit us at our Angels Stand at the TY EXPO in Kilkenny. W: www.iwa.ie E: [email protected] T: 01 818 6400 Follow IWA Angels on Facebook 40 One Small Step…. A Huge Difference Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) Help raise awareness for mental health and stamp out the stigma Sign your school up today! Host a 'funky shoe' day and help us to raise funds to provide mental health support, information and services for your community To sign up or find out more go to www.walkinmyshoes.ie @walkinmyshoes.ie Share our free downloadable packs for teens and teachers Are you a teacher, guidance counsellor or Principal? You can make a real difference. Sign your school up to take part in ‘Walk in My Shoes’ today and help us highlight the importance of mental health to young people. 1 in 4 people in Ireland are expected to experience a mental health difficulty with 75% of mental health difficulties beginning before the age of 24. Education and early intervention is the key to helping our young people and now is the time to take action. Schools and students throughout Ireland will be hosting ‘Funky Shoe’ days where students and teachers will step out