Frequently Asked
Questions

Crann supports adults and children living with congenital, progressive or acquired neuro-physical disabilities and their family including partners, parents, siblings & carers:

Congenital

• Spina Bifida
• Hydrocephalus
• Cerebral Palsy
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Arthrogryposis
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Acquired

• Spinal Cord Injury
• Stroke

Progressive

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy

This isn’t an exhaustive list and all applications are subject to a service compatibility review to determine if our services & facilities can support your needs. To make an application, follow this link: https://cranncentre.ie/crann-referral-form/

To make an application, follow this link: https://cranncentre.ie/crann-referral-form/. Please note that all applications are subject to a service compatibility review to determine if our services & facilities can support your needs.

Yes, once permission is granted from your patient or their parent (where applicable and for children under 18) Healthcare Professionals can refer using the referral form here: https://cranncentre.ie/crann-referral-form/. Please note that all applications are subject to a service compatibility review to determine if our services & facilities can support your patient’s needs.

When Crann receives your application, we will review your needs will contact you to discuss further with 7-10 days. 

Once your application is reviewed, we will arrange an intake meeting in-house or on Zoom with our Client Family Liaison. We will take a medical and support history from you and identify goals that you and your family would like to achieve. You may have goals already, and we can support you to explore other possibilities. We will work together to create a tailored plan to help you and your family achieve those goals. We may liaise with your other healthcare providers where applicable (and with your permission) to ensure a consistent and compatible care plan is in place.

Services at Crann work in a variety of ways. Many programmes work as weekly short courses, in groups or individually, like Mind Your Back, Understanding Your Condition, Assistive Technology Courses or Limb Rehabilitation Clinics. 

Others are private one-to-ones, like our Continence Clinics, Reflexology, Counselling, Education & Career Support or Play Therapy. 

Some courses like Skills on Wheels run as courses over school holidays and others are one-day workshops, like Sibshops. 

Many of our social groups like Chat & Connect and Youth Club are weekly or monthly and we often hold one-off family events at our centre.

Once you have had your intake meeting, you will be contacted when programmes are running or when appointments are available. Our monthly newsletter has information about upcoming courses you can enquire directly about. Follow this link to sign up to our newsletter. 

All clients must be booked into the programme they would like to attend to ensure staffing is available and safety procedures are adhered to. To enquire about programmes, email clientservices@cranncentre.ie

The Crann Centre is committed to working at the highest standards and to ensuring that all our communications and interactions with clients, families and all stakeholders are appropriate. However, we accept that things can go wrong and when they do it is important to put matters right.

Full details about making a complaint can be found in our Complaints Policy or if you wish you may contact our Chief Executive, Padraig Mallon, directly at pmallon@cranncentre.ie.

Professional education courses are available to Special Needs Assistants (SNA), Nurses, Teachers, AIMs workers, Social Care Workers, Personal Assistants, Home Support Workers and Care Assistants.

Our Clean Intermittent Catheterisation, Trans Anal Irrigation Training and Antegrade Colonic Enema courses are CEU Certified with the NMBI for Nurses only.

Some courses must be attended in-house at the Crann Centre in Ovens. Some can be offered online. Please check details of the course you’re interested to see which applies. 

The team can travel to sites within the CH04 area (Cork and Kerry).

The Crann Centre is fully wheelchair accessible with flat access throughout and a lift for access to upper floors. All toilet facilities are wheelchair accessible, and hoists are available for those who need them – we recommend advising us before you visit if you require a hoist so a trained member of staff is available to support you. There are ample accessible parking spaces around our private car park near flat or ramp access to the building.

Crann is in Classis, Ovens, Co. Cork, just outside Ballincollig, and next to Lakewood Sports Complex. The Eircode is P31 TX39.

By car: On the N22 westbound, take Junction 3 Ballincollig/Killumney and take the 3rd exit off the roundabout, over the bridge. Take the first exit and take the immediate left off the roundabout – you’ll see a direction sign in front of you.

By Bus: The nearest bus stop is at Ballincollig west (Classes Lake) which serves the 220, 220X and 223 bus routes. Crann is a 15 minute walk from this bus stop.

Crann depends on donations to run its services. Private individuals can donate directly at www.cranncentre.ie/donate 

Corporates, Trusts and Foundations can reach out to Evelyn Power on 085 880 4679 or epower@cranncentre.ie

Thank you so much for your support! Funds raised by individuals can be sent online through our donation page – be sure to leave a message telling us about your fundraiser! www.cranncentre.ie/donate 

Funds raised through sponsorship cards or fundraising boxes can be returned by cheque, bank draft or postal order to ‘Crann Centre CLG’ and posted to Evelyn Power, The Crann Centre, Classis, Ovens, Co. Cork, P31 TX39.

To request bank transfer details email epower@cranncentre.ie

We have weekly scheduled opening hours please check out the timetable here. You can can also request a time that suits you and we will do our very best to accommodate this request please contact the team.

The Playground & Leisure Area is available to book by clients of Crann and their invited guests. All visitors must be booked in advance, with 24 hours notice to ensure volunteer availability and safety procedures can be adhered to.

Groups from organisations like schools and charities can contact Tara to enquire about arranging a group visit on todonovan@cranncentre.ie.

Yes, the Playground & Leisure Area can be booked for parties. For details about how to book the Playground see this link.

Staff and/or volunteers will be on site during your visit for your comfort and safety. All volunteers and staff are trained in First Aid and use of AED.

Ample accessible toilet facilities will be open during your visit. There are multiple accessible parking spaces in the vicinity of the playground and the area is completely wheelchair accessible. Some of the play equipment requires supervision or support to use – the volunteers on site will support you and answer any questions you have. For equipment details and terms of use visit https://cranncentre.ie/playground-terms/

No dogs, except for service dogs with leads on, are allowed on-site. This is to protect the animals that live on site.

No bicycles are allowed. This is to ensure a pleasant and confident experience for other users.

Every individual coming on-site must be pre-booked. We will not be able to accommodate walk-up’s. This is to ensure that volunteer cover is available for guest safety.

Paths are flat and well maintained. The River Trail can be accessed via the Meadow Trail to avoid an incline that may be too steep for some. All paths are car and van accessible in case of an emergency.

There is ample accessible parking on site and an accessaloo accessible toilet with changing facilities and hoist. Picnic benches are also wheelchair friendly.

The Vista Trail on top of the hill is 409m long. The Meadow Trail, among the wildflower bed is 250m long. The River Trail at the base of the hill is 180m long.The River Trail can be accessed via the Meadow Trail to avoid a steep incline.

You are welcome to bring food. Tea/coffee and water can be made available for events. There are wheelchair friendly picnic benches on site. Please protect the environment by disposing of your litter in the bins provided.

Volunteers will be on site during your visit for your comfort and safety. All volunteers are trained in First Aid and use of AED.

This clinic supports people with neurogenic bowel and bladder dysfunction, which is common for people with Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injury and Multiple Sclerosis.

Reviewing and updating your existing bowel or bladder management plan can positively impact your daily routine. If leaking, inconsistencies in passing bowel movements or pain are things that you are living with, our expert nursing team may be able suggest improvements and new routines.

To make an application, follow this link: https://cranncentre.ie/crann-referral-form/. Please note that all applications are subject to a service compatibility review to determine if our services & facilities can support your needs.

Yes, once permission is granted from your patient or their parent (where applicable and for children under 18) Healthcare Professionals can refer using the referral form here: https://cranncentre.ie/crann-referral-form/. Please note that all applications are subject to a service compatibility review to determine if our services & facilities can support your patient’s needs.