by Laura Fletcher
Renovating Ceim Eile: A Community Project in Waterford
Over the past year, our team at STS Group worked with The Brothers of Charity to refurbish Ceim Eile, a day service for adults with intellectual disabilities in Waterford City.
About Ceim Eile
Ceim Eile is open five days a week, and most of the adults who attend are there every day from 9am to 3pm. It’s a community hub where people take part in a wide range of activities and are part of everyday life in the city.
The building had seen better days. Furniture and equipment were out of date, and there were electrical issues that needed fixing to make the space safer. The goal was simple: make it somewhere people enjoy coming to every day.
How it started
The idea came from within our own team. Benny Morrissey from our QEHS department had been looking at day services in Waterford for a family member and learned that Ceim Eile was planning a refurbishment. As an electrical contractor, Benny knew we could help and brought it to our directors, who were happy to get involved.
Listening first
Before any work began, we needed to understand what each room was for and who would be using it. Facility management, service users and their guardians all told us what they needed. Town hall meetings and surveys were organised, and open conversation was encouraged throughout.
That shaped the whole project. The service users even helped the painters choose the soothing wall colours.
The work
Five rooms were renovated: the Relaxation Room, the Multi-Sensory Room, the TV Room, the Computer Room and the Entrance Hall. Each one got fresh paint, new furnishings and electrical work where it was needed.
- Electrical: Our electricians dealt with hazardous wiring and cabling, replaced power outlets and put them in more accessible spots. The facility manager worked with them to say what each room needed.
- Finishes: Rooms were rewired, replastered and painted, with new insulation and ceilings where required.
- Furnishings: Bespoke storage was fitted for each service user, and individual computer desks gave everyone their own workspace.
- Equipment: New touchscreens and sensory tools were supplied. The sensory equipment helps with stress and can support focus, attention and motor skills over time.
- Security: Lighting around the outside of the building was also updated.
The multi-sensory room is a good example of the change. It was once cluttered with unnecessary equipment and untidy wiring. Now it has soothing colours, soft furnishings and the latest sensory lighting.
Two challenges along the way
Asbestos. A leak in the ceiling turned up early on, and when we looked into it we found asbestos. The leak was an easy fix, but the asbestos had to be removed by specialists. That delayed the start of the project by several months. There was no shortcut here, because health and safety always comes first at STS.
Keeping the centre running. Ceim Eile needed to stay open during its normal hours, so our team of five worked evenings and weekends. Every night, the electrics had to be working and each room cleaned up and safe to use for the next morning. It took careful planning, but the service wasn’t disrupted.
What it means for the people who use it
Team Leader Sean Herron of The Brothers of Charity said the centre is now “a very cosy centre that is designed specifically for those who attend.” Staff have also found that the improvements make the day-to-day running of the centre easier, and service users are enjoying the space more.
Benny summed it up: “We are proud to work with Ceim Eile and support such a valuable resource in our local community.”
A team effort
This was only possible because so many people pitched in. Electricians, builders, painters, plasterers and volunteers from the local community all gave their time and skills, alongside the staff and service users who shaped the project.
For us, this was about more than an upgrade. It was about giving something back to the community, and creating a space that is safer, more functional and more welcoming for everyone who uses it.
It was an honour to be part of it, and we hope it makes a lasting difference to everyone at Ceim Eile.
