Local Charity ‘Steps In’ to Help Mitchell House

Png Mitchell House School 7

Mitchell House School is celebrating after receiving a new treadmill for their physiotherapy department, having successfully been awarded funding from the Energy for Children Charity, to aid rehabilitation for all pupils.

Mitchell House School is a special school in East Belfast for children with physical disabilities, ranging from nursery age up to senior pupils aged 19. Along with their physical disability the pupils have associated learning and medical needs. Mitchell House School provides a coordinated educational and therapeutic approach for pupils, delivered by a multidisciplinary team of teachers, support staff and therapists.

Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist, Kathryn Mulligan, explains, “Mitchell House School’s goal is to improve quality of life and social well-being by providing support and advice to children and carers throughout their time with us.

“Currently many of our pupils attend regular physiotherapy sessions to increase strength and maximise functional abilities and the benefits of physiotherapy can really be seen within both the school and home environments. Many of our pupils begin school life unable to walk and our physiotherapy department aims to help these children achieve assisted walking and even independence. As the children grow, the skills they have learned through physiotherapy can be difficult to maintain therefore we were keen to purchase a treadmill for the school to allow children of all ages and future school pupils to maximise their walking opportunities.

“I had heard about Energy for Children and applied for funding earlier this year. I was delighted to hear that our application was successful and we took delivery of the treadmill just in time for the new school year. The pupils are really enjoying their physiotherapy sessions using the new equipment and the difference it has made to some pupils already in such a short time if very encouraging. We can’t thank Energy for Children enough for their support.”

Charity Liaison Officer, Geri Wright said, “I’m delighted to see how much of a difference this equipment has made to children attending Mitchell House School. It’s great to see pupils benefitting from this equipment and to see the positive impact it is having on helping children achieve greater independence.

“This is exactly why the Charity exists, to help local children who are most in need and I’m thrilled to see the positive impact it is having on not only the individual pupils, but the wider school community”, added Geri.

Energy for Children is an initiative of Phoenix Energy and the wider natural gas industry. The Charity was established in 2005 to provide financial support to groups and individuals that may slip through the net of the wider charity network.

Founded on the principle that “all monies raised go directly to local children and young people”, the Trust aims to reach deeper into the heart of local communities throughout Greater Belfast and beyond in order to really make a difference to disadvantaged children’s lives.

Since its formation, the trust has helped over 9,000 local children and every month continues to help those who need it most.

For more information on the Energy for Children Charitable Trust, visit www.phoenixnaturalgas.com/about-us/phoenix-group/corporate-responsibility