RTE's DIY SOS appeals for volunteers to help Offaly family transform home
Volunteers are being sought for an upcoming DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland project in Offaly, which aims to transform the home of a family raising three children with autism and complex additional needs.
The Harte family, who live in Walsh Island, Coolagary, Offaly, are at the centre of the appeal.
Damien, an Offaly native, and his wife Hazel, originally from Dublin, are parents to Ollie, Noah and Meadow, each of whom has varying levels of autism.
DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland is now stepping in to help transform their property into a safe, sensory-friendly home that will provide the family with greater security, independence and opportunities for the future.
The Offaly build is scheduled to take place from September 1 to September 10, and organisers are appealing for volunteers, tradespeople and suppliers to get involved in the project and help make a lasting difference to the Harte family’s lives.
Ollie, the eldest, is known for his love of conversation and his ability to share fascinating facts about his favourite subjects. Meadow, the youngest, was recently diagnosed with autism and approaches life with confidence and charm.
For six-year-old Noah, however, daily life presents significant challenges. Alongside his autism diagnosis, Noah has Global Developmental Delay and an intellectual disability.
He is non-verbal and experiences severe emotional dysregulation, leading to daily meltdowns that are deeply distressing for both him and his family.
During these episodes, Noah often screams in a high-pitched tone and covers his ears in apparent anguish. His siblings are also affected, with Meadow instinctively covering her ears and Ollie finding the situations particularly upsetting.
Sleep difficulties are a constant struggle for Noah, and he is currently taking mood-stabilising medication. His parents say it was a decision they never wanted to make but felt it became necessary after Noah began self-harming.
On several occasions, they have had to bring him to hospital emergency departments to ensure he had not suffered fractures or other serious injuries.
Noah also has no awareness of danger and does not respond to his name, placing him at constant risk of wandering off unexpectedly. For safety, he relies on a specialised buggy during outings, but this solution is becoming increasingly difficult as he grows older and stronger.
Following advice from Noah’s psychologist, the family purchased their current home in the hope of creating a stable and supportive environment.
However, ongoing problems including leaks, structural issues and repeated repair costs have hampered progress.
The house itself presents daily challenges. The family says the property is cold, damp and affected by mould, while its layout is unsuitable for a household managing complex sensory and emotional needs.
They urgently require additional space to help family members regulate emotions, decompress and feel safe. Most importantly, they need a home that can continue to support Noah as he grows into adulthood.