Yesterday evening saw the culmination of the six week trial workshops held by the Offaly Dyslexia Group at Daingean National School.
Thanks to our tutor’s and the efforts of the Offaly Dyslexia Group these workshops were held on a trial basis over a six week period. We like to refer to it as a ‘getting to know you’ period.
As a newly formed group we have achieved a great deal more, in a short time than we had ever hoped to. From its inception a little over nine months ago we have taken enormous steps towards our main goal which is to provide support and advice for the parents of dyslexic children.
Already we have held workshops over a six week trial period, created this website with links to many helpful resources and produced an introductory pack for concerned parents.
Thanks to the fund raising efforts of Frances Walsh and David Walsh we were able to secure sizable contributions from a number of sources. The Community Foundation of Ireland, The EBS Building Society, The OAK Partnership and a handful of other individuals and businesses were very generous in their contributions, more details on our website. Their combined efforts have allowed us to secure the services of our three wonderful tutors and have a little left over to purchase some of the specialised equipment needed to enhance the progress of our young students.
We are also grateful to Midlands Radio 3 for their help in publicising our cause right back at the beginning, without their help we mightn’t be here today. Also thank you to the local newspapers who kindly gave us print space when publishing our press releases and updates regarding public meetings and workshops.
Especial thanks are due to the board of management and staff of Daingean National School whose support has been invaluable. Without their hospitality we would most certainly not have succeeded in reaching our goal of providing dyslexic children with specialised help.
Throughout our journey, the Dyslexia Association of Ireland has been our stalwart support. In providing information and access to other groups who have travelled this road before; the DAI made it possible for this post to be written. Without the DAI, there would be no Offaly Dyslexia Group just yet…
…finally we would like to thank the parents of those children who attended our trial workshops. Their commitment has been exemplary and they must be congratulated for having found someone to offer their children the help that they needed. It is not easy to find support and advice, especially when there is none available locally. You have made this journey possible, simply by being interested enough to turn up to the meetings and make your voices heard.
We look forward to seeing everyone again in September and we will keep in touch over the summer…