Brain injury service supporting people from Mayo launches new training kitchens
Quest Brain Injury Services is a community rehabilitative service for people who have sustained an acquired brain injury (ABI). Part of the National Learning Network, Quest is funded by the HSE and caters for people in the Galway, Mayo and Roscommon regions. The service is available to brain injury survivors between 18 and 65.
On Wednesday, January 7 last, supporter’s, clients and staff attended the official opening of the new state-of-the-art kitchens at the Quest Brain Injury Service centre, situated in Liosbán Business Park, Galway. The training kitchens have been meticulously designed to enhance independent living and to support skills development for the clients who attend the brain injury support service, many of whom present with diverse needs.
The new facility has been made possible due to the tremendous efforts of Mina McNamara and Aisling Loftus, and the many friends and members of the community who have supported their fundraising activities over several years.
Mina McNamara raised over €23,000 across 3 years from the annual 8km Paul McNamara Memorial Walk Fundraiser, as a tribute to her husband Paul who passed away suddenly from a brain aneurysm in 2022.
Aisling Loftus raised over €17,000 on behalf of her dad, who had availed of Quest’s services in 2023 after brain surgery. Aisling ran the Galway Bay Half Marathon in her Leaving Certificate year, in appreciation of the support her family received from the service.
Quest, part of National Learning Network, caters for people from Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon with histories of traumatic brain injury, stroke, brain tumour, hypoxic brain injury and brain infection. Quest provides rehabilitative training programmes to adults with an acquired brain injury (ABI) to help manage day to day difficulties, to maximise their independence, and support return to work, meaningful activity and education.
At the official opening of the kitchens, Patrick Hannon, manager of Quest, said: “Our mission at Quest is to support people to rebuild their lives and their futures, with a focus on person-centred support that caters to their various needs, ambitions, and goals. Our dedicated, expert team enables people to find the right support in an inclusive and understanding environment, and helps them to go on to education, employment, or to enhance their independence.
“We are beyond thrilled to celebrate the launch of the new training kitchens here today, which will have wide-ranging benefits for our clients.
“We want to sincerely thank Mina, Aisling, and all of the people who donated and participated in the fundraisers. Their generosity will go on to make such a difference to people’s lives, and to their families’ lives, in the years to come. It’s truly an achievement for the community as a whole.”
Quest Brain Injury Services is located at Unit 9 A Liosbán Business Park, Tuam Road, Galway (Eircode H91WP9A).
The service accepts referrals from medical teams, rehab services, and GPs, as well as self-referrals, of adults with a diagnosed ABI, that is without comorbid substance misuse and not neuro-degenerative, from Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon.
To find out further details and information you are asked to email quest@nln.ie
Alternatively, you can phone 091 778850.