About Us - History

The story of Wisdom Services began in 1955 when the Sisters of La Sagesse were invited by the Department of Health to establish a residential centre in Co. Sligo for people with an intellectual disability. At that time in the North West services for these individuals were non-existent except for those provided by the local psychiatric hospitals.

Initially Wisdom Services accommodated 24 children and a community of 8 sisters. From these humble beginnings the service has gradually and consistently evolved and developed in order to meet emerging needs and demands and to also keep abreast with the latest models of care.

Today Wisdom Services endeavours to offer a quality and value led service to approximately 200 individuals with an intellectual disability, their families and advocates.

Milestones in Service Growth and Development

1965 The first phase of building commenced to increase residential accommodation. In the same year The Department of Education officially recognised and sanctioned a four teacher school.
1966 Official recognition was granted by An Bord Altranais for the establishment of a School of Nursing.
1973 The second phase of building was completed.
1974 St. Cecilia's National Special School was officially opened on the campus.
1978 Establishment of multidisciplinary team including Departments of Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy and Social Work in the early 1980's.
1979 Official opening of the Chalet Complex comprising of eleven bungalows.
1980 Recreation and Social Training Departments opened.
1981 First community house in Sligo town opened.
1984 Two purpose built units were opened for people with behaviours that challenge.
1992 Multi Sensory Unit opened.
1993 Official opening of Hydrotherapy Pool and Gymnasium.
1994 Respite Care Service in collaboration with NWHB commenced.
1999 Nurse Practice Development Unit established.
2000 Personal Outcome Measures introduced focusing on quality of life issues.
2001 Day Services expanded into the community in Sligo Town.
2002 Board of Directors appointed by the Sisters of La Sagesse to maintain their status as a Voluntary Agency and to preserve the Christian ethos of the Service. Two Clinical Nurse Specialists appointed in Behaviour Therapy and Mobility and Therapeutic Interventions. IONA. two-year school leaver’s programme set up.
2003 Two Clinical Nurse Specialists appointed in Behaviour Therapy and Care of the Older Person.
2004 The closure of the nurse training school as the registration/degree programme moved to St Angela's College. DREAM programme established to provide Day Recreational and Educational Activities with Meaning for service users. STEPS - Support & Training to Empower Progress and Success programme established for people who completed the IONA. programme.
2005 Golden Jubilee celebrations. A comprehensive service review undertaken by the Sisters of La Sagesse.
2006 Process of transformation of the service began. Advocacy Group established. Two Clinical Nurse Specialists appointed in Dementia in People with Intellectual Disability and Community Care.
2007 New Action Plan officially launched by Jean Quinn, newly appointed Provincial of the Daughters of Wisdom, designed to significantly improve service provision over the coming years. Children's unit officially opened.
2008 Submission of outline plans in relation to future development of the service. Three community houses purchased

 

The future poses many challenges but with a very professional, skilled and committed workforce we all endeavour to approach the future with enthusiasm, optimism and hope and to continue as we have already done to be open and receptive to emerging needs and demands.