European youth workers and teachers gather in Dunboyne for international conference
More than 100 educators and Erasmus+ project leaders from across Europe are gathering in Dunboyne this week for the 17th Europe-wide International Tool Fair.
Aimed at organisations and project leaders from across the youth, sport, school education, adult education and vocational education and training sectors, the theme for this year’s three day event is “Mental Health – Minds in Motion”.
The conference will see participants share best-practice tools and approaches for mental health and wellbeing. With a mix of formal and informal learning ‘tools’, participants will have the opportunity to take part in more than 20 talks, discussions and workshops with Irish and international speakers and facilitators.
Among the speakers are: Dr Sharon Lambert, Senior Lecturer in the School of Applied Psychology, UCC, Patrick McDonagh, a 22-year-old Traveller and a dedicated Youth and Community Development worker at Involve Youth and Community Services, and Dr Cian Aherne, a Clinical Psychologist and the Clinical Manager for Jigsaw Limerick.
Dublin North-North East Recovery College’s ‘Connect, Create, Participate’ team will be showcasing their programme, developed as part of an Erasmus+ funded project involving partners from Ireland, Scotland, Finland, and France. Their programme is designed specifically for individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges, substance use, or both.
Other workshops and talks taking place include ‘Sport for Peace’ with Wala' Alsmadi, a Senior Programmes Officer in the NGO sector from Jordan, and ‘Building an online Community’ with Joosua Valkeakunnas from Sekasin Gaming, looking at the use of social and gaming platform Discord.
This is the first time that Ireland has hosted the event, which is being organised by Léargas - the national agency that manages exchange programmes across Ireland and Europe. The event is in collaboration with Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health.
Lorraine Gilligan Executive Director of Léargas said: “We are delighted to welcome delegates from across Europe to the 17th International Tool Fair in Ireland. At Léargas, we strongly believe in the value of international collaboration and exchange to broaden horizons and to explore opportunities, and this week that focus is firmly on the growing need for upskilling in how we engage with and talk about mental health.
“Globally, there is a recognition that mental health education as well as active, responsive supports are needed. Léargas wants to be part of ensuring that as many adult individuals and organisations in Ireland as possible are equipped with the tools, expertise and confidence to apply in their practice with young people/students when needed.
“We often talk about ‘soft skills’ as though they are a nice to have, when in fact such skills nurture resilient, empathetic, and informed citizens who can thrive in what is a complex world. Soft skills are necessary, and that is what this gathering is highlighting.”
Youth Voice and Engagement Manager at Jigsaw, David Kavanagh said: “This year has highlighted, once again, the growing demands on mental health services in Ireland and across Europe, and the need for supports to be available and resourced to listen and respond when young people, and adults, seek help.
“At Jigsaw we understand the importance of early intervention and prevention, and we are delighted to be working with and supporting Léargas as part of this International Tool Fair event, where people will get the chance to explore different themes, tools, and approaches to mental health that they can then connect to their organisations and their work, so that together we can drive the change needed in terms of mental health.
“Schools, sports clubs, and all the groups and organisations that make up our local communities make a huge difference, as small as each initiative or individual action may seem, in tackling mental health stigma.”
The ‘International Tool Fair’ is part of marking the European Year of Skills.