NEWstart –  free support for children with literacy and numeracy needs

Cork County Library are doing a reminder campaign on their NEWstart Programme in advance of the Summer Holidays, conscious that the summer months can be a vital time to improve or at least maintain a child’s literacy level and, equally importantly, their love of reading.

The NEWstart programme is especially relevant for children who might find reading or numeracy difficult and also for children who are learning English as a second language.

Please see explanation below from Dolores, the Children’s Services manager.  The programme is of course free of charge.

Cork County Council Library and Arts Service would like to let you know that NEWSTART, an Early Years Literacy Programme supporting Numeracy, Literacy and Writing skills, is available to members of our library service during the Summer holidays from school.

NEWSTART, supported by the Department of Rural & Community Development and Dormant Account funds, is a free programme which offers literacy information and practical videos suitable for children in primary school and also TTRS (Touch-Type Read and Spell) licences for both adult and children learners. 

TTRS is a multi-sensory online course that teaches touch-typing, reading and spelling at the same time with step-by-step online tuition, feedback and scores. It can be accessed privately at home with a login provided by Cork County Council Library and Arts Service.  This programme aims to help children with reading, writing, spelling and counting, keyboard skills and literacy issues such as dyslexia and dyspraxia.  It would benefit students who experience literacy difficulties as well as those learning English as a second language (ESL).  The course is very user-friendly.  There are many different levels and modules which learners can work through and improve on, and on completion you can get a Certificate of Completion to represent all the hard work you have done! In addition to the main TTRS course, there is also a TTRS subjects section. This is only recommended after learners have completed at least 3 levels of the main course. Subjects include maths, grammar and science.

NEWSTART also offers users a literacy information booklet to help parents and carers support their child with early Numeracy, Literacy and Writing. It is full of valuable advice including book recommendations, story time skills, early reader lists and homework hints.  You can download this from our website at https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/library-services/young-members and you will also find Informational videos from an Occupational Therapist and Dyslexia Tutor provide practical tips and hints for children with a dyslexia or dyspraxia diagnosis.    

If you would like access to TTRS or more information about the NEWSTART literacy programme please contact your local library, giving your full name, email address and Library card number or contact Dolores Casey at 021 4546499 or email schools.library@corkcoco.ie.

Weathering the Changes – a great day out!

Today members of our Spring Chickens Clun and Youghal Acive Retirement met in the park for a storytelling session – talking about wind and weather, how the climate and wildlife has changed over the years and what older people would like to say to younger people regarding preserving and appreciating our environment.

Thanks to our volunteers Maria, Sinead and Frank, we have recorded snippets of stories on paper, and Frank has recorded a number of stories. All of these will be compiled and – after approval by those who took part – we’ll be sending a copy to the Cork County Council Older Person’s Climate Change project, and making copies available both online and in print/CD form.

It was so very good to meet at last – a great time was had by all with refreshments courtesy of CnD Community Cafe, which is now open for takeaway orders Weds & Thurs each week.

We are working on our event planning for the summer now – we hope to get back to the Millenium Park (and a big thank you to the Community Garden Club for getting us access) and we will be letting you know what’s on offer very soon. Yesterday’s Nature Walk was very popular and we’ll certainly be organising more of them. Youghal Active Retirement (YARA) are also planning their summer programme, and we’ll let you know more about that here when it’s completed!

Thanks also to Pat for bringing our chairs to the park and to all of you today – thanks for all the great stories, great chat and the delight of seeing each others faces again!

A wonderful video on Youghal Heritage/Oidhreacht Eochaille

Watch this video here: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.google.com%2Ffile%2Fd%2F1ZT7Wx7jzZC6w4r9AJTZxaAMaBDcW9zO7%2Fview%3Fusp%3Dembed_facebook%26fbclid%3DIwAR1p2gkhN29v5PArIZWVHogpad_VRgE-Nlour8VMmf4Ps1F-Rc3iELbEPfU&h=AT1A7m_nA15t56Nui88VqLeAvhBAPab6NTeZ4OzViFkEEDJSyEpHuf5OzB-JCYcS8D-Io_Ef66DK8ofUzdkF_BHQyzpwcJ1tmbzjMvZHpVJauA3xWhIaR4Fmgzes&s=1

 

Toolkit for Arts in Care Settings; Delays to Midleton-Youghal Greenway & Beginners Beekeeping Course

Age & Opportunity Toolkit for Arts & Creativity in Care Settings

Age & Opportunity’s new Toolkit for Arts & Creativity in Care Settings is designed for managers and staff. The Toolkit draws on Age & Opportunity’s 2019 Artist in Residence in a Care Setting Initiative and its evaluation. Providing practical advice, knowhow and useful videos, this Toolkit is aimed at those who want to bring more creative activities into care settings and to get the most out of working with artists. Read more.

Opening of Midleton to Youghal Greenway delayed to 2023

[Sean O’Riordan, Irish Examiner, 9^th May]

Covid-19 construction restrictions mean the opening date for the Midleton to Youghal Greenway has been pushed out to the spring of 2023. However, sections of it might be opened in the interim.

Helen Mulcahy, acting East Cork Municipal District Officer, told councillors representing the area that work had recommenced on its construction after restrictions for essential infrastructure were lifted. “As a result of Covid-19 restrictions on construction activity over the past year, the programme for the delivery of the Greenway has been impacted and the completion of the overall project is now planned for quarter one of 2023. 

“Cork County Council will seek to identify opportunities to open completed sections of the Greenway on a phased basis in advance of completing the overall route,” Ms Mulcahy said. She also informed councillors that plans to build a new lifeguard station block with public toilets at Youghal’s Front Strand had hit a snag. She said a tender for the project hadn’t worked out and the council had readvertised it, with a closing date of May 31. She said she would keep councillors updated on that.

Ms Mulcahy added that the council had also advertised for specialist external consultants to join the council’s architect-led design team for the refurbishment and re-development of the Youghal’s former courthouse and soup kitchen (shed) as tourist attractions. “The stage one report on the redevelopment of the former courthouse building incorporating the adjoining discussed shed has been finalised and will now move on to detailed design and planning,” Ms Mulcahy said. 

The redevelopment will provide a new lease of life for two unused buildings. 

“The main concept for the refurbished building is a permanent exhibition of a unique collection of household items of historical and social importance spanning the century 1850 to 1950.  This collection has been acquired by the council,” Ms Mulcahy said.

She added that initial work has commenced on the scope and design of the adjoining public realm enhancements.

A section of the Midleton to Youghal Greenway at Shanty Path near Midleton, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

CCBKA Beekeeping Beginners Course Autumn 2021

County Cork Beekeepers Association (CCBKA) will be holding its annual Autumn Beekeeping Beginners course starting on Wednesday Oct 6th 2021 and running for the following 7 Wednesday nights.

This is a FIBKA approved beekeeping course.

These are live online lectures as delivered in the classroom and are not & will not be recorded due to GDPR.

The course will cover the following topics.

           Beekeeping and What it entails
           Workings of a bee colony
           Pollen and Nectar Sources
           Beekeeping equipment
           Controlling bees and working for honey
           Harvesting Honey
           Keeping bees healthy and solving problems
           Where to go from here

As part of the course you will also receive a copy of the World’s Best Selling Beekeeping book by Ted Hooper “Guide to Bees & Honey”

October 6^th: online. Cost €165. Information and booking here: https://www.townscript.com/e/ccbka-beekeeping-beginners-course-344414?fbclid=IwAR2VOiLzheTN6rZedu1ga137cWMSion-QXeKfMVBrxbc2nFfEwfokSpKPAI

Tech Training; Bursary offer &

Greening the City Talk

CTRL + ALT + CREATE: Free Training (Friday 7^th May)

Are your digital skills due an upgrade? Do you want to a new job but lack tech credentials? Maybe you’re ready to work or study but need to make a plan for your success? It’s time to CTRL + ALT + CREATE.

Hosted by Emily Glen, INCO Academy Ireland, and Debbie Kruger, CSR Manager, Verizon.

This training concerns the future in tech; how we create online presence with our goals/ambitions/jobs and includes a section about employment in tech and online CVs.

Register today for this FREE two hour online event hosted by communications specialists, educators and insiders from the biggest tech companies.

Here’s what you can expect at CTRL + ALT + CREATE:

REPRESENT YOUR BEST SELF

Join professional communicator Sarah Geraghty from The Communications Clinic who will share tips to enable you to tell your professional story, virtually. Represent your best self in every stage of the recruitment process, from CV drafting to interview.

SKILLS BUREAU

Join Dania Riad from the LinkedIn team to learn how to build out your professional brand online. In this session you will learn how to build your online profile, navigate the platform to search for jobs and how to network on the platform to help you land your next opportunity.

BUILD YOUR SQUAD

Led by Anna Mäkinen, Diversity & Inclusion Director, Women in Tech and Alice Cambridge, Partnership Director, Women in Tech, this is a conversation about how to build your network of supportive professionals, the benefits of having a mentor, and how to identify a company that will be your champion.

MISSION MOMENTUM

Join INCO Academy’s technical lead, Lorcan Blake, for a webinar designed to help you identify your career and education goals, identify your next steps and how to start.​

Register for the event here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/ctrl-alt-create-tickets-151931602513

IHREC BURSARY OPPORTUNITY FOR

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN HUMAN RIGHTS & EQUALITY

As part of their work on promoting the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is delighted to announce the launch of the sixth and final year of our student bursary scheme for prospective students of the Professional Diploma in Human Rights and Equality at the Institute of Public Administration.

In 2021, the bursary scheme will support applications from individuals employed by Civil Society Organisations only. The bursary scheme will cover all course fees for successful applicants. There are 6 bursary places available. The Professional Diploma in Human Rights and Equality is a one-year, part-time programme that has been developed in conjunction with the Institute of Public Administration.The application process is open now and the closing date is Wednesday 9th of June 2021 at 5pm (sharp).

Further information about the student bursary scheme and application criteria can be found here: https://www.ihrec.ie/student-bursary-scheme/

Queries related to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission bursary scheme can be sent to bursary@ihrec.ie
For all other queries related to the Professional Diploma in Human Rights and Equality programme, please contact the Institute for Public Administration:
https://www.ipa.ie/contact-us.36.html

GREENING THE CITY: TALK MAY 18^th

The April and May talks in the Greening Our City series have taken a broader view of “greening” (in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals) with a focus on the approach of “Doughnut Economics” and its application at city level.

Tuesday May 18^th at 2.30pm: The Journey of the Amsterdam Doughnut Coalition

With Jennifer Drouin, Coordinator of the Amsterdam Doughnut Coalition

Spaces are limited and booking is essential at: ghttps://www.eventbrite.ie/e/webinar-8-implementing-the-doughnut-economics-approach-in-amsterdam-tickets-152632019479

Options for Employment in Healthcare from Intreo – Update on Hate Crime legislation & job opportunities from INAR – NewStart Literacy Support from Cork County Libraries – Scam Warning from Dept. of Social Protection

Options for Employment in Healthcare Sector

Intreo – Cork are hosting an online event for the Healthcare Sector on Thursday the 6^th of May @ 11am.

This event will focus on the options available for those seeking employment in Healthcare as well as job changers who are considering transitioning to Healthcare as a career option.

Places can be booked via the following Eventbrite link:  https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/healthcare-work-and-skills-2021-tickets-151968902077

Information on the day will include:

• Department of Social Protection funding options for Healthcare training
• Training course options from Cork Education and Training Board (CETB)
• Presentations from employers NUA Healthcare and CareChoice Montenotte who are currently recruiting
• Job Changers’ transferable skills for Healthcare
• A jobseeker’s journey from reskilling/upskilling to employment in Healthcare via a Community Employment Scheme

Hate crime legislation and NAPAR updates from

Irish Network Against Racism (INAR)

For your information, there have been a couple of important developments in relation to the hate crime legislation and the National Action Plan Against Racism since the last meeting, to which we would like to bring to your attention to:

• Following the Government approval, Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee published the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2021 on 16 April. This General Scheme will now go through the usual legislative scrutiny process which willlead to the drafting of a Government Bill. This will allow INAR and its allies in the Coalition Against Hate Crime (CAHC), our Members and broader civil society, to take part in the discussion about the principles of the Government Bill. As the work on the future Bill is not over yet (it’s expected to be enacted in 2022), we’d like to ask Members to endorse the #LoveNotHate campaign, sign and promote the petition with a call to ensure that the new Bill keeps those affected by hate crimes at its heart. 
• In November, the Anti-Racism Committee made its Interim Report to Minister for Equality Roderic O’Gorman, which has now been approved by Cabinet and published on 21 April by Minister O’Gorman. See INAR website for details and to download the report. INAR is pleased with the Interim report as it is progressive in the terminology, language and framings, that INAR and the Committee membership worked to make sure was in it. How progressive it will be in its implementation will depend partly on commitment, resources and leadership from the government. We will keep members updated.
• The Anti-Racism Committee’s Public Consultation on a new National Action Plan against Racismfor Ireland is now open and will run for 12 weeks from Wednesday 21 April to Wednesday 14 July 2021. You can make a submission and find out more here.

INAR is hiring!

We are looking for 2 candidates to join our Team:

• Policy Officer
• Community Development Officer

Candidates from minorities are strongly encouraged to apply by 10 May. Job descriptions and application forms can be accessed here.

 

Scam Warning from Dept. Social Protection

The Department of Social Protection is aware of fraudulent phone calls and text messages claiming to be from the Department seeking personal information e.g. PPS number / Bank Account details.

Our staff will never ask you for your Bank details if they should have reason to call you over the phone and we will never seek personal information from you by text message.

If you receive such a call or text, please do not engage with the caller and do not share any part of your PPS number, Bank Account details or any other personal information with them. 

If you have provided any such information to a call or text that you believe to be a scam, please contact the Gardaí immediately. Please view advice from Gardaí here.

We urge people to be extremely cautious if they receive such a call or text message seeking their personal information and to ensure that they only use official Departmental websites e.g. www.Gov.ie/dsp and www.MyWelfare.ie. People are advised to carefully examine the web address (http) to ensure they are using official Departmental websites.

Three events: Disability Awareness event; ADAPT research into Impacts of Covid on Teenagers & SHIFT seminar on Sexual Health for Teens

SHIFT- Sexual Health Information for Teens.

The webinar is suitable for young people aged 15+. Organisations can sign up on behalf of their young people and send them the link on the day- or the young people themselves can register to join. This is the link to the Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/shift-sexual-health-information-for-teens-the-webinar-series-tickets-150705284563?aff=erelexpmlt

The webinar series will run for the month of May every Tuesday 2-3pm. There will be a free SHIFT resource booklet available to all participants on completion of the series.

Event schedule:

Tuesday, 4th of May, 2pm: Introduction to sexual health and support services for young people.

Tuesday, 11th of May, 2pm: Relationships and consent (including communication, sexting & pornography).

Tuesday, 18th of May, 2pm: Contraception and sexual activities (including information on pregnancy support services).

Tuesday, 25th of May, 2pm: Sexually Transmitted Infections (including information on transmission, treatments, testing, prevention & HIV).

Event invitation “Everything you wanted to know about disability but were afraid to ask!”

Wednesday 5th May 3pm (Zoom)

Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI) would like to invite you to our webinar “Everything you wanted to know about disability but were afraid to ask!” which will take place via Zoom on Wednesday 5th May 3pm.

May 5th was designated by the European Network on Independent Living as European Day on Independent Living and this event is part of ILMI’s celebration of this date.

The webinar will be an opportunity for people to listen in and informally learn about the social model of disability. Disabled activists will discuss the use of language and the role of Disabled Person’s Organisations (DPOs) and how the social model of disability can inform the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities #UNCRPD.

We are delighted to be joined by Minister of State Department of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration with responsibility for Disability Anne Rabbitte TD who will open the webinar.

MC for the webinar will be Peter Kearns and will feature a short input from special guest Speaker, Maggie Cameron who is a freelance Disability Equality & Diversity Trainer with experience of developing Disabled Persons Organisations in Scotland.

A facilitated panel discussion with MC Peter Kearns will feature disabled activists Des Kenny, Selina Bonnie, Amy Hassett and Maggie Cameron.

Who is this webinar for?

It is a unique opportunity for anyone who wants to listen directly to disabled activists and hear about the issues facing disabled people through an equality and human rights lens.

Anyone with an interest in equality, human rights, community development, policy development and building an inclusive Ireland should attend to begin to explore how we collectively need to think about disability in Ireland.

We are inviting:

• Politicians,
• Policy makers,
• Public servants,
• Community Development Organisations,
• Trade unions,
• Equality and human rights organisations
• Local Area-based partnerships
• Disabled activists

To attend, please email info@ilmi.ie by Tuesday 4th May at 12 noon.

ADAPT Research with 12-18 year olds: survey

Researcher Caroline Heary, (Senior Lecturer) in the School of Psychology, NUI, Galway. 

A team of psychologists in the School of Psychology, NUI, Galway and Trinity College Dublin are carrying out research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Irish teenagers (12-18 yrs). Our study is called the ADAPT research study: how Adolescents Deal with and Adjust to Pandemic resTrictions.

The survey is for teenagers. Parent consent is required, and this is completed online on our website: 

https://www.adaptresearchstudy.com/

Once we have parent/guardian consent, a link to the survey is sent to the student via an email address that was provided by the parent. If any parents want to follow us, we are on instagram and facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/adaptresearchstudy/

Instagram: @adaptresearchstudy

Read more about the study here: ADAPT_Get Involved in our Survey

Community Garden Group

Healthy Eating Course &

Cork Co Co Arts Newsletter

Read the full newsletter here: Arts Dept Newsletter April 21 (2) (3)

Grow More Seeds & Do Good Deeds!

Film Making for Young People; Cork Co. Co. Creative Residencies & SECAD’s Crossroads Webinars!

Easter 2021 – Free Film-making Workshop for Young People

The ‘Cork Young Filmmakers’ programme with the support of Cork County Council and SECAD now offer a limited number of free places on an online workshop (via Zoom) over 3 sessions during Easter. 

Each participant, age 14-18, will shoot and edit their short film, using their own equipment.

The workshop will be delivered on Zoom. There are just 12 places in total and advance booking is necessary. 

These hands-on workshops are facilitated by Cork Film Centre’s professional and experienced filmmakers. Each participant will write, shoot, direct and edit their own film using their own equipment and have their film screened online as part of the Cork Young Filmmakers  Screening event later this year.

The 3 day workshop will help 12 young people to gain further skills and expertise required to make their own films.

For budding filmmakers, it can lead to opportunities for the creation of short films and meeting and collaborating with other young people who are passionate about filmmaking.

Please note numbers are limited and places will go quickly. Applications by Saturday March 27th at the latest.  This workshop is free of charge. 

To Apply: Email corkyoungfilmmakers@gmail.com now with the following info.

Name  Address  Age/Date of Birth  Contact Number 

& A short paragraph about why you would like to join the workshop

PLEASE NOTE: Participants should have access to:

Zoom video conferencing software (free);

A camera, tablet, or smartphone with video recording capability;

Edit software on computer, tablet, or smartphone (we can suggest free versions);

Most important, ideas for a short film.

Day 1 (2.30pm – 5.30pm Wednesday 31^st March):

Story, script development, shots, shot selection, sound recording, pre-production / prepare to shoot.

ASSIGNMENT: Participants shoot films

Day 2 ((2.30pm – 5.30pm Friday 2^nd April): 

Editing tutorial, the importance of sound, discuss footage shot.

ASSIGNMENT: Participants edit films, and upload to CYF via WeTransfer (for Day 3)

Day 3 ((2.30pm – 5.00pm Tuesday 6^th April): 

Review edits, and discuss outcomes.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to make your own short films with available resources.

Creative Residency Opportunities from Cork County Council

Cork County Council Library and Arts Service is delighted to announce four new creative residencies for 2021. Supported by Creative Ireland and the Arts Council, the residencies aim to facilitate access to creativity and culture for adults, children and young people in County Cork. Cork County Council also has a Traditional Musician-in-Residence, Eoin O’Sullivan, who has been integral in the development of the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail, in partnership with Kerry County and Limerick City and County Councils.

The Historian-in-Residence will be invited to connect with communities through local history and heritage, working in collaboration to showcase and celebrate Corks rich past. The Creative Producer-in-Residence scheme invites a creative worker in any arts or cultural form to work collaboratively with communities. The Filmmaker-in-Residence will work alongside the successful First Cut Film Festival, supporting young people to tell their stories through film and animation. The Writer-in-Residence will facilitate writing workshops and work with the libraries to develop writing groups, as well as developing an engaging programme of activities with other writers.

The Historian-in-Residence and Creative Producer-in-Residence will both begin in June, with the Writer-in-Residence and Filmmaker-in-Residence beginning in September. All information and application forms are available here:

www.yourcouncil.ie/service/Artist_in_Residence_Application

The deadline for applications for all four residencies is 5pm on Friday 16th April 2021.

For queries relating to the residencies, please email artsoffice@corkcoco.ie or call 0214285995.

Crossroads Webinars from SECAD

 

 

 

‘From the Well Short Story’ Competition

Open for Submissions 

Cork County Council Library and Arts Service has launched it’s annual From the Well short story competition for 2021. The highly regarded literary competition is now in its 17^th year and is open to registered library members who are over 18.

Twenty stories will be selected for inclusion in the 17^th edition of the From the Well short story anthology, while the winning story and two others will feature in the 2021 West Cork Literary Festival.

Mayor of the County of Cork welcomed the opening of submissions saying,

“We are a community of storytellers and wordsmiths, and the richness of life in County Cork is a great source of pride, solidarity and inspiration. The From the Well anthology is one way that we recognise and respect the great writers among us. I wish all entrants the best of luck in the competition and every success in their future creative endeavours.”

Applications should be submitted online through YourCouncil.ie before the closing date of Thursday 1st April at 4:00 p.m.

For further information about the competition, contact Cork County Council’s Arts Office at arts@corkcoco.ie

Online Activities from CETB and the first

Healthy Ireland Libraries Newsletter!

 

Pilates, ASI webinars and an opportunity to support local charities while enjoying art!

National Thank You Day: Youghal Communtiy Health Project

https://fb.watch/40wk6ywIqK/

On February 28th, National Thank You Day, Youghal Communtuy Health Project invited people to share their photographs and make a video of all the thank you-s! You can see it at the link above. As the post says:

“… #nationalthankyouday is a special day to thank those who have been there for you over the past 12 months. Here at Youghal Community Health Project we would like to give particular thanks to our volunteers, colleagues, groups, friends – we are so grateful for every single one of you for supporting us through these difficult times #thanksamillion

Support for Youghal Cancer Care & Cork Penny Dinners

Local artist Eileen McGoldrick has kindly donated art work to help raise much-needed funds for Youghal Cancer Care and Cork Penny Dinners. You too can own one of Eileen’s wonderful prints!

See more information here:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2904717243185517&id=100009418083342

Active Community Awards – Nominations Open!

Cork Sports Partnership are delighted to announce the launch of the inaugural Active Community Awards 2021!!

Through the Active Cork Communities initiative, Cork Sports Partnership seeks to support local agencies, community groups, and clubs to develop and foster a culture of promoting community sport and physical activity for their local community.

What is an Active Community?
An Active Community is a community where people have the opportunity to participate in locally-led physical activity and community sports programmes, while equally promoting positive health and wellbeing inclusive for all.

Background:
Cork Sports Partnership recognises the need to acknowledge the many community groups, organisations, and individuals that commit to supporting that local Active Community ethos. While the last months have been particularly challenging for community groups and individuals alike, we know that people and groups have gone above and beyond to support the most vulnerable in society through this pandemic. Communities have come up with unique and innovative ways to keep people engaged in physical activity and sport, thus supporting them to look after their physical and mental wellbeing.

Through the Cork Healthy Ireland fund with the support of local partners and agencies, we can now begin to recognise these efforts across the many communities in Cork with the launch of our Active Community Awards for 2021.

Opening Date:
Nominations for all categories will open the week of February 22nd.

Categories include:

1. Active Community Group Award 
2. Active Community Campaign Award
3. Active Community Champion Award
4. Active Community Inclusion Award

Community Garden Citizen Scientist & Mindful Musings 

SECAD is offering this new garden citizen science course.  It is aimed at families, (best suited for those with children 6-12). They will be sent a learning pack each week (4 in total) and asked to watch a video, which they can do at their convenience. A Zoom “Answer your Questions” will be held at least once during the course for families to drop into as they wish. If you think you would enjoy/benefit from getting to know wildlife in the garden, please contact Karen, her number is on the flyer.

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Mindfulness Exercises from Sean Fargo

Self-Kindness Worksheet – Part 1
Is It Selfish To Want Happiness?

Giving Yourself Love & Kindness

A Care Package For Uncertain Times. This is a special collection of podcasts, poetry, meditations and reflection for however you’re processing this moment. There’s a special inclusion by Sharon Salzberg called “Shelter for the Heart and Mind”. Enjoy!

You can receive daily mindfulness meditations, worksheets and infographics to help you start each day mindful. Sign Up Free at  https://mindfulnessexercises.com/100-day-mindfulness-challenge/

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Cork Sports Partnership are delighted to announce the launch of the inaugural Active Community Awards 2021!!

Active Community Awards Nominations & Amnesty Walking Challenge!

Through the Active Cork Communities initiative, Cork Sports Partnership seeks to support local agencies, community groups, and clubs to develop and foster a culture of promoting community sport and physical activity for their local community.

What is an Active Community?
An Active Community is a community where people have the opportunity to participate in locally-led physical activity and community sports programmes, while equally promoting positive health and wellbeing inclusive for all.

Background:
Cork Sports Partnership recognises the need to acknowledge the many community groups, organisations, and individuals that commit to supporting that local Active Community ethos. While the last months have been particularly challenging for community groups and individuals alike, we know that people and groups have gone above and beyond to support the most vulnerable in society through this pandemic. Communities have come up with unique and innovative ways to keep people engaged in physical activity and sport, thus supporting them to look after their physical and mental wellbeing.

Through the Cork Healthy Ireland fund with the support of local partners and agencies, we can now begin to recognise these efforts across the many communities in Cork with the launch of our Active Community Awards for 2021.

Opening Date:
Nominations for all categories will open the week of February 22nd.
Categories include:

1. Active Community Group Award 
2. Active Community Campaign Award
3. Active Community Champion Award
4. Active Community Inclusion Award

We welcome nominations from across Cork city and county and look forward to hearing about all the groups, individuals, and campaigns that have supported people over the last 12-18 months. 

For more information, see https://www.corksports.ie/index.cfm/page/active-communities-awards

Amnesty Women’s Day 10k Challenge

Was one of your resolutions to get a little fitter this year? Would a 10k challenge help motivate you?

If so, then Amnesty would like you to know about their 10k for Women’s Day event! You don’t have to be a super runner for this one but, whatever your fitness level, this 10k is challenging. You have 4 days to complete the 10k between the 5th and 8th March by walking, running, jogging or whatever works for you!

The funds you raise will help Amnesty’s campaign to support women around the world who are risking their freedom, and sometimes their lives, fighting for gender equality.

For more information, see Amnesty’s page on Facebook @Amnesty or contact Annette, Community & Events Fundraising at teamamnesty@amnesty.ie

Online exhibitions, artists in residence and more at Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre

We are currently closed to the public but we continue to connect with our communities, virtually and remotely. See below for some of what’s happening in February

Siobhán McDonald: Herbarium of Breath (detail) from Traces of Air at Uillinn and online

Siobhán McDonald: Traces of Air
Viewable online

Siobhán McDonald’s work draws attention to contemporary topics dealing with air, breath and atmospheric phenomena, weaving scientific knowledge into her art in a poetic and thoughtful manner. She works through the mediums of painting, drawing, film and sound to highlight how human action has an impact on the environment.

Image above: Just one of the works in Sensing Place by Scoil Mhuire NS, Schull

Sensing Place: An exhibition of work from Uillinn’s primary schools programme
Viewable online
Taking the work of three Uillinn Artists in Residence – Mary Sullivan, Pascal Ungerer and Kate McElroy – as a starting point, primary school children examined a variety of different ways that place can be explored through art. Pascal uses paint to capture places on the edge of rural and urban. Kate uses photography and found objects to capture a sense of a place in flux. Mary uses performance to respond to specific sites, often in her home place of Bere Island. An exhibition of the work created by pupils from three West Cork schools on the theme of place is available online until 14 March.

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Launching on 1 February (Lá Féile Bhríde / Imbolc), #skibbereenvirtualstpatricksday invites the local community to participate in a programme of online, family-friendly arts activities, continuing with last year’s theme of Irish Folklore and Fairies. Working with Uillinn and Skibbereen Chamber of Commerce, artist Ana Ospina and designers Alice Halliday and Michael Stephens will develop the project to culminate in a virtual parade and broadcast to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Skibbereen on 17 March.

To participate and find out more see www.westcorkartscentre.com/st-patrick_s-day-2021
Thursday 4 February – Create your own folklore and fairytales character
Thursday 11 February – Make your own enchanted cloak
Thursday 18 February – Craft your own magical parade props
Thursday 25 February – Mythical headpieces  
Saturday 27 February at 3.00pm – Live online workshop, places limited, booking essential 

Image above: Alice Halliday as Brigid, wearing the community cloak created during workshops in February 2020

Image above: Tara Brandel in The UCC and Bollinger Family Space at Uillinn

Croí Glan Co-Artistic Director Tara Brandel will participate in a dance research residency for In Place at Uillinn during February. Supported by an Arts Council Arts Grant Award, In Place will investigate the architecture of 5 distinct art gallery spaces around Ireland including Uillinn (Skibbereen), The MAC (Belfast) and IMMA (Dublin). 

Later in February, Luke Murphy of Attic Productions will participate in a dance production residency for Raft, a new site-specific, dance performance for 2021.

Copyright © 2021 West Cork Arts Centre, All rights reserved.
Mailing address:
info@westcorkartscentre.com

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COURSES: on offer online from CETB and others

CETB – PLC, Community Education & Adult Basic Education)

• Internet and ESOL classes going online. Some other courses more practical and not so suitable for online, so will run them after February if possible
• Zoom class, starting next week
• Community Education – Upholstery will wait until Feb to finish off and Sewing course is going online
• ‘Write a Song’ free online course starts on Wednesday 3^rd Feb at 7pm for six weeks

 

CETB – BACK TO EDUCATION INITIATIVE)

• BTEI – All courses are continuing courses, running from Sept 2020 to May 2021.
• Can’t recruit onto a new art course online
• CETB aiming to ensure engagement from as many students as possible
• Woodwork, horticulture, sewing, sales all going online

 

See www.corketb.ie or email info@corketb.ie for more information

 

Youghal Library

• Under current level 5 restrictions, all libraries are closed but all library services are available online, you can join online on website.
• Touch Type Read Spell training also has individual licences available

See https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/your-library/youghal-library for details or email youghal.library@corkcoco.ie

 

East Cork Traveller Project

• Have developed a website, hoping to do podcasts, particularly re mental health, wellness.

Find ECTP on Facebook @EstCork Traveller Project

 

SECAD

One to one confidential employment service ongoing (via telephone / zoom)

SECAD is offering a wide range of courses, most online at the moment.  These include the following

• Women’s Rural Entrepreneur Network (WREN)
• Healthcare courses for women commencing in February
• Ability programme (for young people aged 18-29 with disabilities)
• Start Your Own Business
• Wellbeing sessions (webinars or short courses); Healthy eating sessions; Citizen Science
• Upcoming Sustainable Communities and Biodiversity Training for communities
• Digital Marketing and Public Relations training for Tourism) / Hospitality businesses (short 3 hour focused online workshops mid Feb onwards
• Sectoral skills training depending on specific needs e.g. retail, customer care, food safety, SafePass etc

SECAD online learning hub including promo video can be found on www.secad.ie and courses advertised on https://m.facebook.com/secadcork

Youghal Community Health Project

• Restarting chair yoga via zoom on Wednesdays from 12-1pm for 6 weeks
• Singing for the Brain every Thursday at 2.30pm via zoom
• Monthly dementia café (virtual) on the last Friday of each month.
• Walking challenges and wellbeing initiatives are being shared publicly on Facebook @youghalcommunityhealthproject

Youghal Greenway – part of a wider network

Following the work on the new boardwalk in Youghal, we will soon see further work on the development of the Midleton Youghal Greenway, which follows the route of the disused railway line from Midleton Train Station to the former Youghal Train Station. Department of Transport funding for the development of the Greenway will be provided at a rate of 100%; the overall funding secured by Cork County Council for the development stands at €19.8 million. The 23km long, off-road route connects the key towns and villages of Midleton, Mogeely, Killeagh and Youghal and will provide a level gradient suitable for users of all ages and abilities as a safe, accessible and attractive route for cycling and walking.

The route will eventually link to existing and planned greenways in counties Waterford, Wexford, Kerry, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and parts of Northern Ireland to form the Ireland part of the European cycle route (see image)

Site clearance works currently being completed will see the removal of vegetation and remaining rails and railway sleepers as the first phase of the construction stage. Significant effort has been made to retain existing trees and hedgerows along the route corridor to protect habitat, conserve biodiversity and create opportunities for landscape and environment enhancement.

In January of last year, councillors on Cork County Council unanimously agreed on planning permission for the 24km greenway which is set to cost over €19 million to build.

For more information on cycle routes across the country, see https://irishcycle.com/2020/01/07/works-starts-on-midleton-to-youghal-greenway/

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Tracing Family Roots

While we’re locked down, this is a great time to start – or continue – researching your family tree. I’ve been doing this for the past few months and feel like I’ve met so many new family members! Below is an extract from an interesting article from http://youghalcelebrateshistory.com which will give you some good tips and advice on where to start and where to search.

[from John Grenham’s article published in the Irish Times 23/12/20]

“Getting started ; Before you go near any records, talk to your family. It makes no sense to spend days trawling through databases to find out your great-grandmother’s surname if someone in the family already knows it.

So first talk to parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents – find out what they know before they’re gone for good. Most families have at least one individual who keeps track of the extended network of relatives, and if you can buttonhole her (it usually is a her), you’re off to a good start. To begin with, quantity is less important than quality – there’ll be plenty of time for precision later.

The only cast-iron rule of family history is that you start from what you know and use it to find out more. Don’t begin with Attila the Hun and try to work forward to yourself. Take your granny and work back from her”.

See more through the web link above

Photo credit: “19th century graffitti”: youghalcelebrateshistory.com