Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Martin Harley has launched the Healthy Ireland Moments of Happiness at your Library initiative in Donegal.
The programme uses the innovative award-winning Tovertafel games system to positively influence the quality of life for children with autism, seniors living with dementia and adults with intellectual disabilities using interactive light projected games that stimulate physical activity, social interaction, cognition, and moments of happiness.
At the launch, held in the Twin Towns Library in the Base Enterprise Centre in Stranorlar, Cllr. Harley paid tribute to the Donegal Library Service.
He said “Our libraries are a fun, free, inclusive resource at the heart of our communities – where anyone can learn, discover and develop, regardless of age, ability, education or income and the Healthy Ireland funded Moments of Happiness at your Library initiative provides a unique opportunity for us to support and promote inclusive care within our local community.”
Healthy Ireland at your Library Coordinator, Ciara Cunnane explained how the ‘Tovertafel’ is Dutch for ‘Magic Table’ and projects vibrant, lifelike images onto a white surface in the form of games that react to even the smallest of hands and movements, creating a “magic-like” effect that captivates and engages users.
Pictured at the launch of the Tovertafel table at the Library in the BASE in Stranorlar are back row (l-r) Ciara Cunnane (Excutive Librarian), Belinda Glackin (Librarian), Sinead Noonan (Librarian), Paddy Doherty (Donegal County Council), Ciaran Martin (Donegal County Council), Hugh Carlin (Donegal Sports Partnership), Richard Ryan (Volunteer), Christine O’ Donnell (Donegal County Council), Kirsty Browne (Donegal Sports Partnership). Front row (l-r) Deirdre Laverty (Memory Assessment Support Service), Margaret Fitzgerald (Healthy Ireland Coordinator), Martin Harley (Cathaoirleach Donegal County Council), Dara Mc Daid (Health Promotion Improvement) & Donna Kavannagh (Senior Librarian). Photo by Gerard Mc Hugh Photography
Ciara outlined the person-centred benefits of this type of purposeful play and advised that while the Tovertafel is a new addition to the Twin Towns Library, Tovertafels and a Sensory Pod are available for all members of the public as part of Donegal Library Sensory Services in Buncrana Library, Central Library Letterkenny, Leabharlann Phobail Gaoth Dobhair and Bundoran Library respectively.
Outlining the significance of the Healthy Ireland Programme, Healthy Ireland Coordinator for Donegal, Margaret Fitzgerald said “The Healthy Ireland Programme provides a cross-sectoral focus for improving and supporting the health and wellbeing of everyone living in Ireland and is central to the work of Donegal County Council and Donegal Local Community Development Committee.”
The Moments of Happiness at your Library initiative is funded under the Healthy Ireland Programme, which is supported by the Dept. of Health.
If you would like more information on using any of the sensory services including the Tovertafel call in or contact the libraries as follows :
Twin Towns Library – Tel: 074 9175384 or Email: twintowns@donegallibrary.ie
Buncrana Library – Tel: 074 9361941 or Email: buncrana@donegallibrary.ie
Bundoran Library – Tel: 071 9829665 or Email: bundoran@donegallibrary.ie
Central Library Letterkenny – Tel: 074 9124950 or Email: central@donegallibrary.ie
Leabharlann Phobail Gaoth Dobhair – Tel: 074 9560862 or Email: gaothdobhair@donegallibrary.ie