Launch of Jigsaw Digital School Hub – New Mental Health and Wellbeing Resource for Schools

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Jigsaw, the youth mental health charity, have launched the Jigsaw Schools Hub. A new resource offering schools across Ireland the latest tools and information to help them support young people’s mental health and wellbeing.  Our Jigsaw Schools Hub offers schools across Ireland the latest tools and information to help them support young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

At www.jigsaw.ie/schools you will find a growing range of resources for school staff, created in collaboration with young people, school staff, and parents.
The resources can contribute to supporting the delivery of the mental health and wellbeing curriculum and they have been tailored to support school staff and students during the Covid-19 pandemic.
What you will find…

  • An ‘Introduction to youth mental health’ toolkit to help school staff to explore mental health and wellbeing with young people in the classroom. Young people will creatively learn about their mental health and wellbeing, including a focus on what can support and challenge mental health, ways to manage feelings, and how to seek help if and when it is needed.
  • Ways to support school staff to look after their own mental health. As school staff support young people, it is important for them to take the time for self-care and to look after their own wellbeing too.
  • What school leaders can do to create a whole-school approach that supports staff and students with their mental health and wellbeing. This will support school leaders to consider what a whole-school approach to mental health means, and how it can help schools promote and support mental health and wellbeing.

Why the Jigsaw Schools Hub?
“We know that schools and their staff do hugely important and amazing work in helping to support young people’s mental health and in the Covid-19 pandemic we know that this has become much harder. On top of all this, school staff are facing greater demands. This is why, with the support of Rethink Ireland through the Innovate Together Fund, I am delighted to be launching The Jigsaw Schools Hub, with vital mental health and wellbeing resources to support educators at this uniquely difficult time. We believe it will grow to become an indispensable resource that will contribute in the delivery of wellbeing as part of the school curriculum, and help schools and their staff in the hugely important role we know they play in supporting young people’s mental health.”  Joseph Duffy, Jigsaw Chief Executive Officer.

Jigsaw has been working with schools and local communities from the day we were founded in 2006. We know that a young person’s experience at school can shape the course of the rest of their lives.

Our My World Survey research has shown that school teachers are the most frequent informal source of support used by adolescents for their mental health. And we know that there is a demand amongst teachers for quality online resources to help them support the mental health and wellbeing of their students. Yet teachers often feel they don’t have the resources they need.

At the Jigsaw Schools Hub we now have a growing range of up-to-date resources, tools and information to help school staff support young people’s mental health and wellbeing.  The Jigsaw Schools Hub is supported by Rethink Ireland through the Innovate Together Fund, a collaboration between Rethink Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development (via the Dormant Accounts Fund).

Find out more at www.jigsaw.ie/schools

LGBTI+ Youth Leadership Programme

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Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., has announced this week a new LGBTI+ Youth Leadership Programme aimed at LGBTI+ young people. The LGBTI+ Youth Leadership Programme will be run by Foróige in collaboration with BelongTo and is open to applications from all LBGTI+ young people. The Programme aims to enable LGBTI+ young people to develop the skills, inspiration, vision, confidence, and action plans to be effective leaders and to empower LGBTI+ young people to make a positive difference to their society and their communities through the practice of effective leadership.

Reflecting the importance of the voice of young people in the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy, the LGBTI+ Youth Forum was central to the development of the Programme which was informed by their views. One of their priorities for this year, was to see LGBTI+ young leaders be the change-makers in schools, colleges, sports and youth clubs, as well as local communities and families. Young members of the Forum said:
“I’m really enthusiastic about the leadership programme and excited about the educational benefit and experience, I think it will be very beneficial to LGBTQI youth in Ireland.”
“This exciting programme is a great opportunity for the LGBTI+ leaders of today and tomorrow.”
“This programme gives LGBTI+ Youth something for them that is recognised. It gives us hope for the future to come and for our youth.”
“It’s a proud day for the LGBTI+ community when we are given this opportunity to flourish.”
Launching the programme, Minister O’Gorman said, “I am delighted to announce the launch of this LGBTI+ Youth Leadership Programme, supporting LGBTI+ young people to develop their leadership skills and build a better world for their peers. The Programme will harness the passion, drive and idealism of our LGBTI+ young people to lead their communities in creating a better society for all of us. This is a key action of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy and I am very proud to invite LGBTI+ young people to apply to take part.”

Moninne Griffith, CEO of BeLonG To Youth Services, said:
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, Foróige, and the LGBTI+ Youth Forum to launch the LGBTI+ Youth Leadership Programme.
Young people of today are the next generation of CEOs, politicians, teachers, and leaders. With this initiative, we will empower LGBTI+ young people to harness their leadership skills and become change-makers across Irish society, bringing more diverse voices to decision-making tables.
Building strong youth leadership is core to creating a fairer, more inclusive Ireland where LGBTI+ young people feel safe, equal, and valued.”
 
HOW TO APPLY:
More details on the LGBTI+ Youth Leadership Programme and how to apply are available with this online registration form. Closing date for applications: Tuesday the 23rd of March at 12 noon.

The Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth supports and encourages young people to be leaders and future leaders, and has launched the LGBTI+ Youth Leadership Programme specifically aimed at developing the young LGBTI+ leaders of the future.

This fulfils action 5(d) of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy to develop a leadership programme for young LGBTI+ leaders and potential leaders.

Plans and requirements for the LGBTI+ Youth Leadership Programme were developed by the LGBTI+ Youth Forum, a diverse group of 25 young people aged from 16 to 22 years, who identify as LGBTI+ and who support implementation of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy.

Foróige, in conjunction with BeLonG To, adapted their “Leadership for Life” Programme to meet those requirements and to provide an appropriate programme for LGBTI+ and ally young leaders and potential leaders. The Foróige Leadership for Life Programme was developed over 10 years ago in partnership with NUI, Galway.

The programme will be delivered online, with a mixture of interactive and engaging methodologies to meet the learning outcomes and objectives.

Two of the three modules are taught and participants have the option of completing a third self-directed module in order to achieve a Level 6 certificate from NUIG.
LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy
An Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Cultur Migrants Centre Annual Anti-Racism Day Event on Friday, 19th March

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Cultur Migrants Centre would like to Invite you to attend our annual Anti-Racism Day Event. This is an opportunity to celebrate and renew our commitment to strengthening diversity and equality in Co Meath and surrounding areas.

The event will feature a variety of activities and will promote inclusion in line with the UN World Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the European Week Against Racism.

Please Register online by Thursday the 18th of March using the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/anti-racism-day-tickets-145494093751?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Sport Ireland: Girls Get Active Hackathon

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Many teenage girls across Ireland are missing out on the benefits of sport and physical activity because they don’t think they are “sporty enough”, they don’t know where or how to get involved, and they don’t think there are opportunities for them to be involved in sport other than traditional team sports.

Use your voice to help these teenage girls realise that sport and physical activity can be a part of their lives and that sport is for everyone, including them.
Be part of the Sport Ireland Girls Get Active Hackathon and help us tackle the challenge of inactivity by being part of the solution.

A Hackathon is a short concentrated event that brings people together to brainstorm and share a range of creative and innovative ideas around a challenge.

For this hackathon Sport Ireland are looking for individuals and groups of all ages & backgrounds including

  • Secondary school students
  • Teachers
  • Parents
  • Third level students
  • Researchers
  • Sport Development Officers
  • NGB &LSP staff
  • NGB &LSP staff

FIND OUT MORE HERE ON HOW TO REGISTER FOR THIS ZOOM EVENT

SOSAD Launching their Messaging Support Service for Young People

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SOSAD will be launching their messaging support service on the 15th of March 2021. This service will be available from 8pm until 12am daily.  See attached posters below for details.
Aimed at young people, it can be accessed from their website https://sosadireland.ie/. Young people  can talk to trained volunteers about how they are feeling and be signposted to relevant organisations if needed.

Poster1

Poster2

Family Addiction Support Network – Still here for you

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The Family Addiction Support Network (FASN) is a dedicated support service for Family members/concerned persons who are impacted by loved one’s substance misuse.

In these extremely difficult times we are very aware of the challenges our service users will be dealing with so we have developed a safe and secure online communications platform in which we can support you.

With this in mind we are continuing to provide vital services in the form of

  1. One to one support sessions
  2. 5 Step Brief Intervention
  3. Health & Wellbeing support through Facebook (FASN)
  4. Counselling
  5. Family Support Groups – online peer led family support groups.

Join our weekly online meetings for Navan, Drogheda, Dundalk, Cavan and Monaghan.  You must contact us for details and support to access the online services at the contact details below.  Remember we are here to help and support you (in accordance with Department of Health Guidance Level 5).

Call: 042-9355251 / 087-9046405      email: [email protected]

information on FASN

BARNARDOS ONLINE SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAMME

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As part of our Digital Offering, we are delivering webinars about online safety to parents. Delivered live by a Barnardos trainer, these free 45 minute parent webinars about online safety are taking place in March, April, and May 2021.

Choose your date and time below and book your place for free through Zoom. Once you book your place, Barnardos Online Safety team will email you a link to the webinar. Each Webinar lasts 45 minutes.

Tuesday, 9th March 2021, 7.30pm – register

Wednesday, 24th March 2021, 1pm – register

Tuesday, 13th April 2021, 7pm – register

Wednesday, 28th April 2021, 7pm – register

Wednesday, 12th May 2021, 1pm – register

Tuesday, 25th May 2021, 7.30pm – register

REMINDER: FREE ONLINE EVENTS FOR TEENAGERS IN COUNTY MEATH STARTING THIS WEEK

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As part of the Healthy Ireland Community Resilience Fund, Foróige on behalf of Meath CYPSC, are offering a series of Free Online Events for Teenagers in County Meath commencing the beginning of March, 2021. Click on the poster below for more information on the events. To register click on the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.ie/o/foroige-31686037439

Wellóige Meath Teen Online Events 2021

Parents Plus: Free Online Workshops for Parents

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In response to many questions from parents on how best to support their children during this Covid crisis, Prof John Sharry of Parents Plus will be giving two free online workshops in the coming weeks. The workshops will focus on two age-groups of children – one for parents of 2-12 year olds and one for parents of 13-18 year olds.

Supporting your Child’s Mental Health during the Covid crisis
A free workshop with John Sharry for parents of children aged 2 to 12 years.
Monday 8th March 2021 (7-8pm online via Zoom)

With lockdown and school closures, the Covid-19 crisis has disrupted family life and negatively impacted the mental health of young children and their parents. During this workshop, Professor Sharry will provide some practical principles on how you can cultivate your children’s well-being and resilience in the face of these challenges. To book your place, please complete this form.

Supporting your Teenager’s Mental Health during the Covid crisis
A free workshop with John Sharry for parents of children aged 13 to 18 years.
Monday 15th March 2021 (7-8pm online via Zoom)

With the loss of school and the social world that is so important to their development, teenagers have been acutely impacted by the Covid crisis. During this workshop, Professor Sharry will provide some practical principles on how you can cultivate your teenager’s well-being and resilience in the face of these challenges. To book your place, please complete this form.

Irish public pledges to read for 500,000 minutes on Ireland Reads Day – Thursday 25th February

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Thousands of people have pledged to ‘squeeze in a read’ for Ireland Reads Day, February 25th. So far, almost 500,000 minutes of reading have been pledged for the national reading day, organised by libraries nationwide as part of the Keep Well campaign.

The Ireland Reads campaign encourages everyone to get stuck into a book and read for pleasure and wellbeing during Covid-19.

A new website www.irelandreads.ie has been set up where people can pledge to read and get a book recommendation suited to their interests and the time they have available. There are more than 800 recommendations from librarians all around the country. A website user can simply enter their favourite type of book and how long they would like to read each day and the website will offer the perfect book suggestion and work out how long it will take to complete – a couch to 5k for books!

Campaign partners and libraries all over the country have been running ‘Ireland Reads’ initiatives and events throughout February in the build up to the day.

Speaking ahead of Ireland Reads Day, broadcaster and Ireland Reads ambassador Rick O’Shea said: “Ireland Reads Day is a brilliant opportunity for people of all ages to take some time for themselves, discover or re-discover the benefits of reading, and to shout about what they love to read! I think that, more than most other years, 2020 and now 2021 are the years we need reading in our lives most because reading can help us imagine that other worlds are possible and better days are ahead. I am thrilled to support Ireland Reads and I hope it kickstarts a year of reading for people right across the country.”

Rick is among a number of well-known campaign ambassadors from the worlds of writing, science, sport, health and broadcasting who are on board to help promote the campaign, and you can find out what reading means to them and why they support the campaign at www.irelandreads.ie.

 

While libraries are not currently open for browsing or borrowing due to Covid restrictions, library members can use the library Borrowbox service online and choose from more than 44,000 eBooks and 33,000 eAudiobooks.