Archive for category: News

Part of the ‘Keep Well’ programme, Ireland Reads is a new campaign from Irish libraries aiming to get the whole country reading this month in the lead up to a national day of reading on Thursday, February 25^th. Taking some time to relax and do the things we enjoy has never been more important and reading is a great way to get a sense of escape and boost wellbeing.

The campaign website is now live at www.irelandreads.ie. On the website:

• People can pledge to read on Ireland Reads Day and we’ll send them a reminder closer to the day. You can also see how many minutes have been pledged so far on the site.
• The website also offers some reading inspiration – simply enter the type of book you like best, how long you have available to read each day and the website will suggest a book and tell you how long it will take to finish it. These books were recommended by librarians all around the country.
• Sign up for ‘Ireland Reads’ events in the week leading up to Ireland Reads Day.

Libraries all over the country will be running events and initiatives as part of Ireland Reads – as will our main campaign partners. We also have a number of ambassadors on board to help promote the campaign and you can read about why they support reading and Ireland Reads on the website.

On Safer Internet Day Webwise will broadcast a short webinar for post-primary students reflecting on the role technology has played in our lives this year and explores ways to help students manage their online wellbeing. The event will provide an opportunity to hear about the experiences of figures from the world of entertainment, sport, cyberpsychology and the tech industry. Joining the discussion are 2FM’s; Eoghan McDermott, Cyberpsychologist; Dr Nicola Fox-Hamilton, Public Policy Lead for Kids and Families at Google; Dr Alicia Blum-Ross, All-Ireland winning Dublin Footballer Eamon Fennell. The discussion will be hosted by Webwise Youth Advisory panel member Billie Constantinou. The event will be available online on Safer Internet Day, Tuesday, February 9^th via Webwise.ie and can be found on the Webwise Ireland Facebook and Twitter channels.

 

 

Meath Library Service presents an introduction to mindfulness and gratitude practices for children on Saturday, 6th February at 10.15 am.

It includes mini mindfulness practices, guided meditation, discussion and a gratitude craft.

Louise Shanagher is a children’s therapist, mindfulness teacher and Psychology Lecturer. She provides creative and well-being workshops, mindfulness classes as well as online and class training. She is the author of three books: The “Mindfully Me” series,  Ireland’s first series of mindfulness books for children.

Click on the link below for further information:

https://www.meath.ie/council/events/gratitude-with-louise-shanagher-online

 

Meath Library Service presents Don’t be a Second Chicken – Helping Reduce Childhood Anxiety with Dr Mary O’Kane (Online) Tuesday, 26th January at 7.15pm

As parents we want to do everything we can to support our anxious children. This video focuses on how anxiety impacts our children and offers parents practical advice on how to support their children during difficult times.

We look at the things that we sometimes do as parents that unintentionally heighten our children’s anxiety, and what we can do instead to support them to manage their fears, helping them to gain confidence in their own abilities.

Link: https://www.meath.ie/council/events/dont-be-a-second-chicken-helping-reduce-childhood-anxiety-with-dr-mary-okane-online

 

The Government has announced additional funding support for community and voluntary groups to deal with COVID-19.  The COVID-19 Emergency Fund is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area.

• “The grants under this fund to assist local community and voluntary groups to adapt their services and operations to fit the new COVID-19 reality are consistent with an action assigned to this Gov. Department under the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19.  It will seek to assist their participation in the campaign, in particular with the three themes that are most reliant on their involvement: staying connected, switching off and being creative, and minding your mood.”
• “The fund provides grants to help animate community groups to enable them to become more involved in the Government’s ‘Keep Well’ campaign.  Further details on this campaign are available here.“

This may be of interest to services and community groups who wish to access funding to support them to deliver on the ‘Minding Your Mood’ strand of the Governments Keeping Well Campaign, by training in and running the Parents Plus Programmes online and eventually in person.

Whether this be training in one of our age specific parenting programmes or our youth mental health programme, our evidence based tailored trainings will help you to reach and make a meaningful difference to families, children and young people.

Applications for the second round of the Covid-19 Emergency Fund can be made to the relevant Local Authority areas, and Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs).

Applications should be made to the relevant LCDC . Full details are available for Co. Meath below:

The fund is being administered by Meath County Council who is inviting groups registered with MeathPPN to submit an application.

Please find attached the fund application form and guidelines.

Guidelines for 2nd round of COVID19 Emergency Fund

Application form for 2nd round of COVID19 Emergency Fund

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 5pm Wednesday 27th January 2021.

Application forms can be returned by email to [email protected] or by post to Meath County Council, Community Section, Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, Co. Meath C15 Y291.

Please direct any queries to [email protected] or by phone to 046 9097400.

Note: If, upon reviewing your local authority application and guidelines, your service is interested in applying for this fund, please contact us at [email protected] and we will jointly support your proposal.