Copes refurbished facility opens in Skibbereen

At the re-opening of the Laurels in Skibbereen last weekend were, Mary O’Driscoll,

COPE Foundation’s The Laurels in Skibbereen was officially reopened after major refurbishment and upgrading last weekend.

In addition, residents, staff and members celebrated the award of full HIQA registration. The Laurels, on the Cork Road, is home to eight full-time residents and there are also two people who attend by day. It has seven en-suite tailor-made bedrooms, six single and one twin, and generous living space in which residents enjoy home life.

The original property at Mill Road, Skibbereen was opened in 1982, as the first Cope Foundation facility outside of Cork City at the time. There is also a day centre at Mill Road which is currently undergoing an upgrade.

Anne Crowley said the reopening and refurbishment of the Laurels is already having a very positive impact on residents. ‘It is wonderful for them to have a comfortable home in beautiful surroundings where they are very much part of their local community. We go out and about on a daily basis but we are also very connected to our neighbours and the local people of Skibbereen,’ she says.