Former residents of St Anne's now living in towns and villages across Offaly and Tipperary

A NEW era has arrived for the former residents of St Anne’s campus in Roscrea who, supported by Avista, have moved into their new homes in the community.

St. Anne’s was a congregated campus-based residential setting, located on the outskirts of Roscrea town. It provided day and residential supports for adults living with an intellectual disability in North Tipperary and South Offaly. On June 18 2025, the last three people left the campus for Dunkerrin, Offaly, to settle into a new house, called Meadowview. Meadowview House is designed and specially refurbished with the needs of the residents in mind.

As part of the HSE Transforming Lives strategy, former residents of St. Anne’s are now living in the centre of towns and villages across Tipperary and Offaly, enjoying the everyday freedoms that come with home life. From cooking meals and decorating their own rooms, to shopping locally, using community services and getting to know their neighbours, the changes have been plentiful and welcome.

Kathleen Hynes lived on St Anne’s campus for many years, and the move has been life-changing for her.

Kathleen’s sister, Enda Hoey, commented that: “Meadowview is a beautiful home. It is very spacious, which meets Kathleen's needs. She has a beautiful, bright bedroom with a large ensuite; Kathleen has settled in so well. This is not just a house – it's a warm and welcoming home."

Working towards Change

This milestone follows years of planning and partnership between Avista, who manage the services, and HSE Mid West. In 2016, 24 people were living in four villas at St. Anne’s. These villas were prioritised for closure under the HSE’s national Time to Move On from Congregated Settings policy, which aims to phase out congregated settings and allow service users to live in smaller homes in the community.

A project team, which included Avista Services and HSE Decongregation & Transition of Care Team, worked with the residents at St. Anne’s, their families and staff to develop personalised transition plans for each resident. Accessible information, social stories, and regular meetings meant that residents and their families were included in the process and supported every step of the way. The moves from St. Anne’s took place in phases commencing in 2021, with the final move taking place in June of this year. The team are currently supporting a further 18 individuals from across the Mid West region to transfer from congregated settings to homes in the community during 2026.

Since moving, supported individuals have been able to develop connections within their communities, opening opportunities that have never been explored before. Some former residents have become involved in charity fundraising or local community groups such as their local men’s sheds. The biggest impact for those who have moved, is the joy in taking part in the ordinary everyday things independently. The new houses generally accommodate three or four people, which supports the delivery of person-centred services to all residents.

Overcoming Challenges

The decongregation project was not without obstacles. Securing suitable housing, adapting during the Covid-19 pandemic, and supporting staff through a cultural shift required perseverance and creativity. While this has been a lengthy process for many reasons, it has been hugely positive. Residents are now living in bright spacious homes that suit their needs, and they are very much part of their local communities.

Avista CEO Lorraine Macken said: “This project shows what can be achieved when services, families and communities work together. Our staff across North Tipperary and Offaly, supported by the HSE, persevered despite significant challenges. Today, we see the results — people living with dignity, choice and independence in their own homes.”

Staff too have embraced the change. Nicola Wolfenden, Manager of Meadowview, reflected: “Everyone has settled in so well. The house is beautiful, and staff have said it’s a joy to come to work. The community has been so welcoming, with neighbours popping in to introduce themselves. It feels like the beginning of something very special.”

For Breda O’Connor, Avista’s Transforming Lives Lead, the completion of the process is both symbolic and practical: “The closure of St. Anne’s is more than the end of a campus — it’s the opening of new opportunities. People are now part of their communities, living lives they choose, and that is something we can all celebrate.”

Fearghal Gray, General Manager, Adult Disabilities Services at HSE Mid West, said: “The completion of the Roscrea project is a testament to the persistence of the people we support, their families, and especially staff from Avista and here at HSE Mid West. It stands as a shining example of how our disability services are moving towards more person-centred, and community-based care, in line with national policy.”