The Rainbow Centre

I got bounced from the Rainbow Centre. Didn’t make it easy. I made my cause - welfare of an 86 YEAR OLD MAN - being virtually p*ssed on - by a particular member of staff. I saw her watching as my ejection went on. Smug smile she carried. Here’s the things: In connection with work, I visited an eighty-six year old gentleman (KJ). KJ could only get off his sofa cause he could reach handle of his sitting room door. There was solution. Frame installed under sofa. Required carpentry (self capable of) I spoke to office, boss said easiest- and surest thing would be speak to the Rainbow Centre “They can arrange electric riser recliners” In the middle of September 2024 I visited the RC. On behalf of KJ, I filled in form, was told chair could be supplied “two or three weeks”. RC itself wouldn’t supply chair. They liaise with ‘The White Rose’ charity. Charity would send someone to give full assessment. I was impressed. I’d expected resistance from KJ on the chair. Don’t like change. Over course a couple of visits, Got him into idea. Then, a problem. End September. RC phoned me. I had left my number as reference, said they were ringing KJ to arrange the visit from the charity. ‘Okay’. But next time I visited KJ - found his phone not working. Ironic - because - this is diversion but so symbolic of conveyor belt caring - he had been supplied with two zimmer frames. Hadn’t asked for them, he never used the first one he got - In KJ’s small flat they could only fit shoved into a corner - where the shoving knocked out the phone connector. Took a week to sort this. I, in panic, went to the RC explain what happened - got nods and okays. Another couple of weeks went past, and KJ asked about chair and I phoned RC and they told me someone would call me back and they never did and this went on and on … Until KJ told me, someone had been round - and told him he didn’t need anything. In my un-educated opinion - if KJ didn’t warrant help - who did? I phoned RC - wanted next move. Who has said no - is there appeal? No call back. I phoned again … Went to RC saw usual woman - told me didn’t understand why KJ had been turned down, it was first time it happened. Would send an email to Dee … That was week into November. And I heard nothing. I made two visits to the RC on the 24th November. First visit - there is one individual . I have been dealing with: the woman mentioned at top of this. A person who despite promises, NEVER returned a single phone call. As usual I asked for this person. They were in meeting couldn’t be disturbed. I explained the urgency of my situation. A brief explanation. Focusing on real story. Plight of 86 year old KJ. Lady went off and returned to say she had been told KJ was turned down. That’s that. I was stunned. I left. What’s wrong with this bloody country? I got two mins down road and presence returned. I wasn’t leaving this. I would take up case with refusers. There must be appeal. All I had been told was ‘social services’. That meant council - meant departments- meant starting all over from beginning. I wanted a name. I went in and for ten minutes no one could be found. Then I was approached by someone who said they were manager and I should come to office. Behind that person I saw the person who has not responded to me since mid-September. I made a conscious decision to blank this person. As they had done me and KJ issue since mid-September. In office I shook hands, while deciding whether to shake hands or not. I stood while two sat. I focused on speaking new face, manager. They asked me to state case. I started and then I was asked to also take note of other person - and I said no - and that’s where I started this. It was a noisy exit … I was enraged that someone would be so sensitive to the needs of a member of staff so small slighted - over the cause of an 86 year old man. It has often occurred to me that organisations are so often ran for the benefit of their staff over their services. P.S this all happened Sept November 2024

Trish Kinsella was the heart and soul of the Rainbow Centre. I was honoured to volunteer for the Rainbow Centre for about a year when Trish was there. Every time she saw me, she took the time to talk to me and thank me for whatever I was doing. Unfortunately I’ve had the misfortune of volunteering under the new ‘management’. I was ignored completely by someone in management. It was like I was invisible until the day she walked past with an important visitor. Then I was deemed worthy of being spoken to and acknowledged. I was also mismanaged from the start. All the genuinely nice people have either been let go or have left themselves annoyed at how things are now. I can count on one hand the genuine people who are left. Certain people are there for their egos and kudos. Recently a lovely volunteer was let go and treated appallingly 😡

I am so lucky not to need this oasis in a very large desert, but there's a huge feel good factor when I donate a few bags of food and half a dozen boxes of cat food a month.🐈 I pray that I never require the sevices of this great place but if I did I would be in great hands. God bless the fantastic staff who give their services for all those who are struggling through no fault of their own 🙏.

Really polite staff. Willing to take time to help with anything. Helped with food, hat and scarf due to the cold weather

The food is great and good value. When you take a donation of items make that the items will be used. Most of the stuff ends up in the skip not even taken to another good needy place. When well that's new to me!