Aspace2 in Derry was established by registered learning disability nurse Martina Bell in 2012 to provide art and well-being courses to adults and children with learning disabilities.
But with around 200 visitors every week to Aspace2’s hi-tech multisensory rooms, Martina – who has been working with people with learning disabilities for more than 20 years – began hunting for new premises to cope with the demand.
And in 2018 she was able to move the facility from Eglinton to a larger specialist centre in Campsie Co Derry, after approaching CFI for help. Now, as well being able to accommodate additional clients (currently 69 on its register) Aspace2 has just created three new roles, including an operations lead, bringing the workforce up to 26 members.
Since 2001, CFI has committed more than £100 million to hundreds of community organisations across the island of Ireland.
Martina, who has worked exclusively with children and adults who have complex learning needs, for most of her career, said visitors to Aspace2 can learn vital skills to help them reach their potential and to find employment.
“The role of Aspace2 is to meet the training needs of people with additional needs,” she said. “Our priority is to meet these needs in a creative, supportive, and nurturing environment through a stimulating, inclusive programme, day opportunities provision and helping people with additional needs to find supported employment, if they wish.
“In addition, our new catering school offers 10 training places daily. Participants learn to engage with other people and build job skills that could help them secure future employment.
Aspace2’s multisensory studios helps people of any ability to control their immediate environment.
The specialist equipment includes a jumbo bubble tube surrounded by mirrors and a colour wash wall for visual stimulation. There is also a fibreoptic shower, tactile wall panel, an infinity tunnel and wind machine.
Calculating the social value of CFI loans
In its Social Value Report 2023, published today (DAY), CFI says that for every pound it loaned to voluntary groups, the social return was £3.69.
This figure, the charity says, reflects the positive impact its loans have on the wider community and was calculated by economic development specialists Rose Regeneration using its Social Value Engine (SVE).
Rose Regeneration’s SVE is used by public bodies in England and Wales and follows several key steps when calculating a loan’s social value, such as agreeing project outcomes with stakeholders and examining the outcomes to give them a financial value.
Between January and December 2023 CFI loaned a total £11.3 million to charities, social enterprises, sports and community projects across the island of Ireland.
CFI chief executive Dónal Traynor said knowing the social return of their investments helped the charity understand the wider impact its loans were having.
“We were delighted to collaborate with Aspace2 on the development of their new premises incorporating the construction of multi-sensory rooms able to cater for larger groups, accessible bathrooms, dining room and accessible lift,” he said.
“At CFI, we strive to create a lasting social impact in every community on the island.
“It’s the driving force behind everything that we do. If £x is spent on delivering an activity, we can use the SVE to determine what is the value of that same £x in terms of wider benefits for the local community.”
For more information about CFI, visit communityfinanceireland.com.
PHOTO
Donal Traynor; CEO of Community Finance Ireland and Conor McGale; Evaluation & Impact Manager-Social Value with economic development specialists Rose Generation Limited.
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