Who we are
Western Care Association is a voluntary (non-statutory) Organisation, made up of parents/family members, people we support, staff, advocates and volunteers.
The Organisation has a Service Level Agreement with the Health Service Executive on whose behalf it provides supports and services to people with intellectual disabilities and neurodiverse needs in Co.Mayo.
Western Care is a Company limited by guarantee and a Registered Charity with a Head Office at John Moore Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Ireland.
Our mission
We exist to empower people with a wide range of neurodiverse needs in County Mayo, to live full and satisfied lives as equal citizens.
We achieve this through the provision of a comprehensive range of innovative services and supports.
Our voluntary status ensures that:
Parents and friends of the people we support make up the membership of the Board of Directors of the Association.
Voluntary workers are recruited and engaged to enhance service quality and to support community integrations for the people we support.
The volunteers are engaged in fundraising and community awareness activities which also enhance service quality and social opportunities.
Our story
In 1966 a public meeting was convened arising from a deep concern at the inadequacy of services for children with a learning disability in Mayo. Almost 200 people attended the meeting in the Imperial Hotel Castlebar with Johnny Mee, Michael Joe Egan, Tom Fallon and Joe Mulrooney taking a leading role. The organisation’s journey began on that night, 58 years ago.
All the towns and townlands throughout County Mayo immediately got behind this unique undertaking. The support and goodwill has increased over the years, ensuring that Western Care is now ingrained in every community throughout the County.
Western Care has grown and developed from those early days into an organisation that now provides a wide range of services and supports across county Mayo to adults and children and their families.
What we do
Western Care is committed to providing persons with an intellectual disability with the services that they require, irrespective of their level of need. Person-centred services are provided, taking cognisance of the person’s dignity and rights, and based on an assessment of need and the services requested. The principal object of Western Care is to provide optimum services promoting the education, wellbeing, dignity, health and happiness of people with an intellectual disability. These services are to be provided in the context of their individual and family needs and those of the community.