Founded 1967

The organisation was founded in 1967 by a group of parents and friends from the local area in response to the need for community-based services for people with Intellectual Disabilities. The first service opened was a social club, originally known as the Sacred Heart Club. This service operated from a number of local halls such as Walkinstown Youth Club and the Sisters of Charity school hall.

1 Long Mile Road

In 1979 we received a donation of a prefabricated building from St. Mary’s hospital in the Phoenix Park. This was moved to the site at 1 Long Mile Road and was provided on a long-term lease by the Sisters of Charity. Many of the people who attended the social club had no other service and in response to that need in 1981 we opened our first day service. This service provided eight places and was staffed by a full-time manager and a team of local volunteers. The service was funded by local fundraising. 

Where We Began

In 1990 St John of God Services took over the day service, with the Social Club remaining independent. The agreement ended in 1992 and due to our continued commitment to community-based services the day service reopened in 1993 with a grant of £25,000 from the National Lottery. In 1994 we received our Section 65 service provider status. WALK opened its first residential house in 1995 in partnership with the Eastern Health Board, Inchicore.

A Decade of Lobbying

In 2002 after a decade of political lobbying we received funding to build our head offices at 1 Longmile Road on the site kindly donated by the Sisters of Charity.  During construction our Day Services moved to the Scout Den on Bunting Road. Since 1999 WALK has continued to develop and grow as an organisation. WALK has a long history of working in collaboration with other service providers and the local community to strengthen and grow the services and supports that we provide. 

Supported Living, Day Supports and Careers & Employment Services

We are now supporting over 250 individuals through our supported Living, Day Supports and Careers & Employment services. All of the services and supports that we provide are underpinned by the principles of person centredness, a human rights-based approach, community inclusion and active citizenship.