“The moment I walked in, I felt welcome.”
That’s how Gerard McGrath describes his first day at Kingsriver Community in Co. Kilkenny — this first impression was the beginning of a journey toward confidence, purpose, and community.
Gerard recently joined Disability Matters to share his story—one that reflects the real impact of person-centred support in action.
Finding the Right Fit
Kingsriver Community offers a day service, residential, and Innovation Bridge, that provides meaningful activities and social connection for adults with disabilities. With support from the Innovation Bridge programme, Gerard was introduced to Kingsriver after identifying that he needed more structure and confidence in his day-to-day life.
“I needed something regular—something that got me out of the house and into the world again,” Gerard explains.
At Kingsriver, he found not just structure, but encouragement. Staff supported him in discovering activities that matched his interests, including radio, gardening, storytelling, and volunteering.
A voice on the Radio
Among the activities Gerard explored, radio work became a surprising and rewarding passion. His interest began simply—he had always been curious about radio and, one day, decided to walk in and give it a try. “It just felt like the right place to be,” he says.
He supported behind-the-scenes tasks like preparing adverts, organising running orders for songs, and helping to compile demo tapes and CDs.Radio work not only connected him with others but gave him a sense of contribution and pride—something he hadn’t imagined himself doing before.
“I never thought I’d be doing radio. But they encouraged me to try. And now, I love it,” he shares.
Gerard is open to opportunities to return to radio work and welcomes expressions of interest. His contact 0899707486.
Support That Listens
What sets Kingsriver apart, Gerard says, is the atmosphere of respect and listening. “They never tell you what to do. They ask you what you want to do. They make sure it’s your plan—not theirs,” he says.
This ethos of choice and inclusion is at the heart of both Kingsriver and the Innovation Bridge, an initiative funded by the HSE to connect people with disabilities to personalised supports that work best for them. Through careful planning and collaboration with the individual, Innovation Bridge helps identify the right services—be it day programmes, employment, or social inclusion.
More Than a Service – A Community
Gerard’s experience is a testament to how the right environment and support can transform lives. Kingsriver and the Innovation Bridge are examples of what inclusive, person-centred disability support can look like in action—where everyone has the chance to be heard, valued, and empowered.
Today, Gerard enjoys a fulfilling routine at Kingsriver, where he participates in workshops, contributes to creative projects, and volunteers locally. He still faces challenges—but now, he faces them with a sense of community behind him.
“They get you involved and build you up and get you a bit of, they’re not just activities for activity’s sake. They give you a load of confidence and once you have the confidence to build yourself up then you’re really going for it and you get a great enjoyment out of it,” Gerard says.
🔗 Learn more about Kingsriver Community: https://www.kingsriver.ie/
Disability Matters airs every Thursday at 4PM on Phoenix 92.5FM, with repeats on Monday at 3PM and Tuesday at 7AM & 3PM. Podcast available after each show on Mixcloud and on bcil.ie/radio.