STRIVE

IRD Duhallow recognises the hugely positive impact that the Ability Programme had on individual’ s health and wellbeing, which is why we are determined to continue to support these young people into employment and with their personal development. The STRIVE programme is a continuation from Ability and is funded through Dormant Accounts. The aim is to support young people across a wide spectrum of abilities to improve their employment prospects and social skills through a range of person-centred supports and participation in community life. The programme is running from September 2021 to December 2022 on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the James O Keeffe Institute. Examples of the support available through STRIVE include: one-toone-person centred planning, support to develop life skills such as money management, laundry and cookery, work preparation training, social and personal development, dramatherapy, art & craft therapy, assistance in gaining work experience and voluntary placements and work shadowing. Social inclusion programmes such as the STRIVE Programme allow individuals to feel a sense of belonging and to make choices. It helps to identify the unique needs of the person, focusing on their strengths and abilities. IRD Duhallow is supporting 15 young people through person-centred supports to enable young people to advocate for themselves, make informed choices about how they want to live their life, at present and in the future. The programme has been key in helping the participants to develop skills to enhance their independence, build their self-confidence and in supporting greater engagement in community life. We work closely with a number of referral agencies including St. Joseph’ s Foundation, HSE Mental Health Services and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Education & Training

A broad range of courses have been delivered this year including: • Social and Personal Development which included confidence building, community involvement, assertiveness, public speaking and relationship Killian Buckley enjoying the Circus Skills building. Workshop. • Career Preparation; interview skills, CV’ s. • Drama and Circus Skills. • Art and Crafts. • Cookery, Money Management, Teamwork. • Sport, Exercise, Nutrition and Healthy Eating. • Gardening and Nature Therapy.

Coffee Morning in aid of the Irish Community Air Ambulance

The group organised a coffee morning in aid of the Irish Community Air Ambulance, which was held in June in Duhallow Community Food Services. The group did all the planning and organising, and learned how to use the coffee machine, serve customers and make posters in preparation for the charity event. They baked their own cakes, buns, scones and other treats for everyone to enjoy on the morning. The coffee morning event was a great taster event to show the participants the different aspects of what’ s involved in organising an event, while also raising money for a great charity.

Engagement with Local Employers

The STRIVE programme aims to help young people to gain the skills, competencies and experiences needed to be career ready. In July, the STRIVE participants undertook two weeks of work placement. They were supported to seek the work placements themselves and to make informed choices about their future careers. Some of the placements included Duhallow Furniture REVAMP, Duhallow Community Food Services, a local clothes shop, accounts / administration and a range of retail services.

The STRIVE programme is tailored to meet the needs of the individual participants; here is Barry O Brien (Tús) providing one to one supports with Kevin O’Connor.

The group met Minister for Education Norma Foley during her visit to IRD Duhallow, pictured with Jackie Kelly and Maura Walsh of IRD Duhallow. Great friendships have been formed on STRIVE. Pictured here Joe Collins and Daniel O’Loughlin taking part in a walk and talk around the pitch and putt.

Members of the STRIVE Group who successfully coordinated a Coffee Morning in aid of the Irish Air Ambulance with chair of the Equality Working Group Pat Brosnan and Brighid Ide Walsh, IRD Duhallow.

Mayor of the County of Cork Gillian Coughlan with Tim Twomey, Jamie O Donoghue, Kevin O Connor and Co-ordinator Bríghid-Íde Walsh

Testimony – Tim Twomey

Tim previously completed a year on Ability and is now participating on the STRIVE programme. He has recently started the Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) to build new skills and gain work experience. “I started on Ability last year and I really enjoyed it and made good friends. I decided I wanted to come back to the new STRIVE programme because I had a good experience and wanted to develop my skills more. The STRIVE programme has opened new opportunities for me and I am now partaking on the Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP). I am working in the Duhallow Community Food Services for my placement, and I am learning a lot of new skills and getting to see what working life is like. I would recommend STRIVE to anyone, it given me something to do and I’ ve made great friends on the course. ”

Youth and Education

Communicating Europe - Celebrating European Citizenship

Miriam O’Regan and TY students of Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra were excited to be part of this year ’ s Communicating Europe initiative. In 2021, IRD Duhallow was delighted to once again be awarded funding under the Department of Foreign Affairs Communicating Europe initiative (CEI) for voluntary organisations, educational bodies and civil society groups and bodies.

This funding enabled IRD Duhallow to run the “The Celebrating European Citizenship project” , which sought to work with local secondary schools in Duhallow in delivering an online workshop to transition year students on what Europe means to transition year students as Irish citizens.

This online workshop took place in February 2022 and provided young people in Duhallow with the opportunity to have their views and voices heard by Members of the European Parliament ( MEP’ s) who were invited to speak to the students and respond to questions that may arise. We were delighted to have had Deirdre Clune MEP and Billy Kelleher MEP generously giving their time to join the discussion with three of our local secondary schools: Millstreet Community School, Colaiste Treasa and Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Literacy and Touch Type Read Spell Classes

IRD Duhallow offers weekly-targeted supports for children with literacy learning differences such as dyslexia with literacy and Touch Type Read Spell (TTRS) classes. The focus of the weekly literacy classes is on the development of reading, writing and spelling skillset, are facilitated by teachers and have a low pupil teacher ratio. TTRS is a multi-sensory learning strategy computer programme building on reading, listening and typing skills through modules, repetition and dictation exercises to reinforce learning.

TTRS also allow children to build on their computer skills learning how to properly place their fingers on the keyboard for typing and mastering the use of a mouse which are skills that will benefit them for life. These classes are funded through SICAP and are offered at very affordable prices for families in the Duhallow area.

Students Maeve Burns, Rachel Gaffney and Clara O’Leary of Millstreet Community School who took part in the Communicating Europe Initiative.

Developing Officers, Nollaig Murphy and Bríghid-Íde Walsh presenting the dyslexiafriendly books to literacy teachers Mary Anne Murphy and Aoife O Connor.

Aoife O Connor, Mary Anne Murphy Literacy Teachers, Nollaig Murphy, Bríghid-Íde Walsh Development Officers and Sinead Guiney Literacy Teacher with the Literacy and TTRS students after receiving their awards and certificates in recognition of all the hard work they put in throughout the year.

IRD Duhallow supporting inclusivity in the classroom with dyslexia-friendly books

Thirty-five schools across Cork and Kerry have each received a set of 4 dyslexia-friendly children ’ s books about Irish wildlife, thanks to IRD Duhallow CLG, and Burren author, Shane Casey. Dyslexia affects, on average, 3 children in every class of 24. However, despite a significant increase in the awareness and understanding of the challenges faced, there remains limited resources available for the children themselves. Through the support of IRD Duhallow, as part of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, one collection of Irish published books, the ‘Nature ’ s Adventures ’ collection, is working to buck this trend. The books use five simple techniques to make them more accessible for dyslexic readers. While they may not work in every case, there has been a very positive response from parents, teachers, and children with dyslexia.

Virtual Career Guidance Workshop

IRD Duhallow was delighted to once again offer the highly anticipated SICAP funded Virtual Career Guidance workshop- CAO Change of Mind and alternative pathways after Leaving Cert. This fantastic Virtual Career Guidance workshop was facilitated by Niamh O’Dwyer, who is a qualified Career Guidance Counsellor with 18 years ’ experience of guiding and supporting students, parents and adults through various stages in their career journeys. It was very well attended and allowed students to learn about all options available to them after their Leaving Certificate so that they have a plan A, B or C! This event was not to be missed and engaged young people all throughout Duhallow.

Public Speaking

In November and December 2021, IRD Duhallow held the 14th Public Speaking event for 4th, 5th and 6th class students from Primary Schools across Duhallow. Students participated in one-hour workshops over the course of four weekend’ s covering topics such as standing up, speaking and eye contact, hand gestures, facial expressions, story delivery, speech structure, visual aids and body language. Following the success of last year ’ s online format, the public speaking classes were delivered via Zoom again this year. The renowned Siobhán Keenan Fitzgerald who has worked as a national school principal and is now attached to the NCCA (National Council for Curriculum and Assessment) facilitated the classes in question. Siobhan is the creator of the LET' s Stand (L-Listen, E-Evaluate, T-Talk, S-Stand) Public Speaking Programme curriculum for primary school children that engages all students actively in an individualised child-centred programme, developing their listening, evaluation and speaking skills in a structured way, she has also featured as a Dragons ’ Den contestant and has given a TEDx talk. On the fifth week of the programme students from schools in Newmarket, Ballyhass, Boherbue, Kanturk, Millstreet, Hollymount and Cullen showcased their public speaking skills, giving inspiring speeches on a broad spectrum of topics, during the closing event for their parents and teachers. This SICAP supported event will be upcoming again in Autumn/Winter 2022.

Development Officer Nollaig Murphy provides supports to children with dyslexia to complete the Touch Type Read and Spell typing programme.

First Aid for Young People

Jerry Harrington, Ayrton Group, demonstrating CPR to the young people participating in the Mini First Aid Course. IRD Duhallow Youth and Education Working Group recognises the importance of first aid training from an early age and organised a Mini First Aid Course for Young People aged between 8 and 16 funded through SICAP. In the 3 ½ hour session, children learned to deal with bumps, burns, breaks and bleeding,