People who have a disability or mental health condition often face difficulties in finding work or progressing their careers. Living in rural or isolated environments can increase those challenges. But a programme run by Forum Connemara which offers pathways to training, further education, employment and self-development is having great results as JUDY MURPHY learns.

Keefa Mullan wants to work as a photographer and she’s well on her way to achieving her goal, via an online diploma course and having had her work showcased at this year’s Clifden Arts Festival.

Conchúir Conneely wants to make his living as a carpenter or in construction – he loves working with his hands and being outdoors, he explains.

Both Keefa and Conchúir are participants in Want to Work, a programme run by Forum Connemara, which helps people who have a disability or a mental health condition to improve their employment prospects, continue their training and education and get involved in volunteering.

Keefa (33) and Conchúir (21) both have Asperger Syndrome, a condition which can result in them having difficulty with social interaction, but which also means they have great concentration and attention to detail. So, it shouldn’t create an unsurmountable barrier to gaining employment, they feel.

And employment is the goal of this life-transforming project offered to people throughout Connemara by the Local Development Company, Forum.

Since September 2021, Want to Work has offered further education, work experience and practical support to some 40 participants, including Keefa and Conchúir.

It does this by acknowledging that each person has unique needs and goals, and then working to meet those, explains Yvonne Keane, one of four Forum staff working on this scheme.

The main objective is to move people into training, work experience, or employment, she says.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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