The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has welcomed the opportunity to expand its services for people with an intellectual disability by adding to its services Peacehaven Trust’s three residential properties for adults with a learning disability in County Wicklow.

The Church already provides services for people with an intellectual disability in Northern Ireland, which includes Residential Respite Care, Day Care and Supported Living schemes. This decision will now be able to increase its service provision in the Republic of Ireland.

Lindsay Conway, Director and Secretary to PCI’s Council for Social Witness, which has overall management responsibility for these and other services, said, “The Council has wide-ranging experience of working with adults with an intellectual disability and  is delighted to add Peacehaven in Greystones to its Residential Care, Day Care and Supported Living schemes. We are also pleased that this will enable us to expand our witness in the Republic of Ireland.

“We look forward in the weeks ahead to developing our relationships with the 16 residents, staff and family members in Greystones. At the same time, we would also want to acknowledge the Christian work undertaken in the past by the members, the Board and the staff of Peacehaven Trust.”

Geoffrey Hanan, Acting Chair and Director of Peacehaven Trust Limited said that Peacehaven a clear vision and passion of empowering adults with a range of disabilities and appropriate support to live independent lives within their community.

“With a view to ensuring the continued and enhanced delivery of Peacehaven’s services to residents, present and future, I am absolutely delighted that we are consolidating our activities into those of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s Council for Social Witness.

“PCI shares, and I am confident will protect, our Christian ethos and values which will continue, according to God’s Will, to shape everything we do for the people we support, our staff and all other stakeholders. As always, God’s timing has been perfect,” he said.

Mr. Hanan also said that the alignment with PCI’s ethos, governance arrangements and strategic focus, alongside the fusion of joint operations and staff expertise, would sustain and enhance Peacehaven’s work into the future.

“Delivering the best possible service for the people we support, maintaining employment and continuing to work to His Glory with all stakeholders, as key priorities for Peacehaven”, Mr Hanan added.