32 ^nd Anniversary

S.O.F.T. Ireland

Autumn Break & AGM

Fri 10/11/12 Nov 2023

Our annual Autumn Break and AGM took place Fri  – Sun 10/11/132 Nov 2023. This year was our  32nd celebration and was enjoyable. It took place in the Lady Gregory Hotel, Gort, Co. Galway

Due to severe pressures in the Hotel Industry across the country, we were extremely lucky to have secured a hotel for our break at a price that we hope you agree is managable.

A letter went out to all members with details in the SOFT Ireland Newsletter.

Agenda for Weekend

Friday 10^th November 8.30 pm Meet Function Room

Informal Meet Up, Tea & Coffee and Family Bingo.

Display tables were set up and people were invited to place photos/memorials of their special children on these tables. The Tribute Book, Previous and Current Newsletters, Why Our Baby Books and Leaflets, Christmas Cards and various Mementos.

Sat 11^th Nov 10.30 am Registration and Welcome

A warm welcome was extended to everyone who took time to attend the weekend where people could catch up with old and new friends.This weekend is about coming together, taking our time and celebrating our children. All events for the weekend were in the Lady Gregory Suite function room.

Sat 11^th Nov 11.00 am  Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony commenced and followed by placing a butterfly with special child’s name on SOFT Tree.

Sat 11th Nov 2023 11.15 am Children’s Room

A special supervised room had been set up with activities to cater for children attending the event for a duration.

Sat 11^th Nov 11.20 am AGM

The official business of SOFT took place at the AGM with election of Chairperson Alex Doyle, Secretary Louise Lovett, Treasurer, Paudie Fitzgibbon, Contact Co – ordinator Carol Kinsella and more…

Sat 11^th Nov 11.50 am Speaker: Brid Carroll 

“Understanding how we grieve change and loss in our lives”

Brid is a qualified Psychotherapist with special interest in bereavement and loss

Sat 11th Nov 18:00 pm Dinner

Enjoy Your Meal, Disfrute de su comida, Bon appétit, Taitneamh a bhaint as do chuid béile!

Sat 11 Nov 20:00 Disco and Raffle

We hosted a SOFT disco by “Alex” and everyone had a boogie!!

There was music, disco lights and lots of funky disco moves.

Sunday  12^th October 11.15 am Closing Ceremony

All were welcomed to Closing Ceremony and we were all there because we have or had a child with special needs.

We hoped people enjoyed the weekend and got some benefit from it.

Some parents came forward to say some poems with their special children in their hearts.

We had the BUBBLE ceremony outside to remember our special children.

Everyone took away their own special Butterfly from the tree to symbolise that the weekend was coming to a close.

Thanks to the Autumn Break Committee for organising activities on Friday Evening, All day Saturday and on Sunday morning.

Thanks to Lady Gregory Hotel, Gort for accommodating us on the weekend.

Thanks to the children for co-operating.

Thanks to everyone for coming, talking and supporting each other as that is what the weekend is all about.