Achievement House workers, staff and union members before the protest march
18 December 2pm
Protest takes place
Workers, staff, union and supporters walk past Achievement House. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
See: Tension in the House
At the end of the march, protest marchers gather at the Victoria Square steps. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Stephen Livingston from Achievement House demands to be heard. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
17 December midday
House history
My parents, Barry and Glenis Keoghan were part of the trio who started Achievement House. I have always had an outside interest in the success of the business.
When Stan retired and Neil Fynn was his successor as manager, my thoughts were we are so lucky to find such a great replacement. Neil bought a wealth of knowledge from the industry. Neil invited me to join the board. In my time on the board, Neil made vast improvements to the building and working conditions. Neil also did fundraising and replaced the two old, worn out vehicles with brand new vehicles. When Margaret retired from the office after 30-plus years of great service, Shelby was employed to take the reins. Shelby brought a passion into the house for the job and the people that was fantastic. When Covid came along, all businesses suffered. I had to resign from the committee to put my efforts into my own company.
In the time I have known Neil and Shelby, I have had nothing but respect for them both in the way they operate and the passion they have for Achievement house and the workers.
I’m unsure what direction Achievement House is heading in now from the latest new reports (The News, December 11) , but the original focus was to give employment to people in need and a sense of being part of the community.
Keith Keoghan
Leamington
Family forum
Inside Achievement House.
Achievement House’s board will hold a family forum in February to provide an opportunity to air questions and concerns about programme changes. Interim board chair Jeff Small says the employment programme run at Achievement House will continue with innovation and improvements. Meanwhile a march against the changes, was scheduled to take place in Cambridge tomorrow (Thursday) and include family, friends, workers and members of the public.
Letters to Editor. Photo: Pixabay
