Fed-up with dreary house swapping holidays around Ireland, the service users of the Brothers of Charity in Galway made the decision last year they would like to head off to hotter climes instead.
Having received postcards over the years from members of staff who had been in Lanzarote, they organised their first holiday there last year with the help of advocacy co-ordinator, Josephine Flaherty. The trip was such a success that another group paid a return visit this year in October.
Flaherty adds: "Everybody decided for themselves what clothes to take and what sun tan lotions to pack. They all took a lot more responsibility for themselves and when we got there, they got to choose from a programme of different activities."
Christina enjoyed the sight seeing, the boat trips, the market and the discos most and her only complaint was that a week was too short in Lanzarote. Marie went jet skiing for the first time, but what she loved most was being allowed to stay out as late as she liked night clubbing. One night she and another girl didn't get back until
9 a.m. the following morning, but they made sure to look out for each other at all times.
While they were in Lanzarote, the group held singsongs every night taking over the pub and celebrated two birthdays there. Although Marie attends the service users parties in January and June each year, she would not feel comfortable going to a night club at home.
Last year, Joseph had considered going on the holiday, but he was told it would be too hot for him and he wouldn't like the food. However, when a friend of his went on the first trip and loved it, he decided there and then that he was going on the next one.
Although he had previously been to Lourdes seven times with Irish Pilgrimages, if given the choice again Joseph would go back to Lanzarote. He thoroughly enjoyed his holiday there, loved the warm weather and the food and particularly liked the late night music sessions.
"A holiday organised by the service users themselves is very new in Ireland, it's probably unique. It was a great social experience. They all got to know people from different centres and houses a lot better and were able to split up and do different things. Some people made very good friends while they were away," Flaherty says.
The Galway service users will be travelling abroad again next year - but this time, they might be venturing even further afield to Los Angeles, it's their own choice at the end of the day.