UPDATE #6 – December 2017
The Genesis Programme’s online newsletter UPDATE #6 is available now. Click on the link below to catch up with all the recent news and activities.
The Genesis Programme’s online newsletter UPDATE #6 is available now. Click on the link below to catch up with all the recent news and activities.
To mark the 3rd Birthday of The Genesis Programme on December 1st 2017, a short video entitled ‘We are The Genesis Programme!’, filmed and edited by the project team was put together. Did you spot yourself or someone you know? Enjoy and feel free to share. Click on the link below
We are The Genesis Programme! Video
The Genesis Programme has been up and running three years as of today – 1st December 2017!
Yes it’s The Genesis Programme’s birthday.
All the children and the families who have engaged with the programme, all of the partner organisations and the leadership from so many brilliant people, the early years practitioners, the HSCLs and the teachers, the community workers, the Group Leaders, the Project Team, the Facebook and Twitter followers, all the other stakeholders – everyone take a moment and give yourself a clap on the back or a thumbs up to someone today. You and they deserve it.
Thanks also to all of our public representatives and the local media who have supported that work along the way.
So many people have contributed to the the work over the last three years.
Thank You and Happy Birthday!
‘How Are They Doing? A Community Perspective on Child Well-Being’ is the 1st survey of its kind in Ireland and indicates that children from traditionally disadvantaged areas are performing better than the national norm.
The study, which was carried out by Clondalkin-based organisation Archways and commissioned by the Blue Skies Initiative and The Genesis Programme, was conducted in two separate phases and examined the well-being of children aged 7, 10 and 12 years living in Drogheda, Dundalk and Clondalkin, was launched by John Lonergan on Monday 20th November in the Mont Clare Hotel in Dublin to mark Universal Children’s Day. 850 children, their parents and teachers were surveyed in total.
The event was kicked off by a brilliant performance from the Redeemer Boys’ School Choir.
The children themselves answered questions on their well-being, self-concept, their cognitive abilities and academic performance. Parents and teachers were also quizzed about their perspective on how well these children were doing.
Some key findings from the report, which will be launched on November 20th, show that children locally are performing better than the national norm and are particularly resilient – highly unexpected results given the previous research which indicates that children in marginalised communities are exposed to greater challenges which impact their development.
Hugh Doogan, Programme Manager with The Genesis Programme “This research goes towards giving a voice to children and it’s important that we listen. The children in this study are exceeding expectations academically, are resilient and confident in themselves. However, some children are beginning to struggle emotionally and psychologically as they get older.”
“The results of this current study show that investment in the children of Louth and indeed North and Southwest Clondalkin has made a difference. It is vital that we continue to invest in their futures and provide them with the resources needed to continue to do well and overcome any difficulties they may face.”
This research challenges the assumption of poor outcomes for children living in areas that have been typically identified as disadvantaged – with these findings expected to change the current dialogue around education and well-being of children in demographically disadvantaged areas.
Alice Malone, Quality Assurance Coordinator with The Genesis Programme said: “This study is the first of its kind to be carried out in Co. Louth in which children from 14 schools from Dundalk and Drogheda participated. It gives us a great insight into how parents and teachers view the well-being of our children. More importantly, it gives children aged 7, 10 and 12 an opportunity to have their voice heard and to tell us how they view themselves. It is very encouraging to hear that the children’s sense of self is up there with children nationally and that they have high levels of resilience and are doing well academically.”
Other key findings suggest that there is strong positive correlation between the children’s sense of resilience and perceived well-being. The study also indicates that previous analysis regarding performance outcomes for children from demographically deprived areas needs to be examined and that further research is needed to explore the contextual and environmental contributions which have led to local children succeeding at a higher level than expected.
United Nations Universal Children’s Day was established in 1954 and is celebrated worldwide on November 20th each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.
November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Universal Children’s Day offers each of us an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better future for children in Ireland.
The aim of Universal Children’s Day is to get as many people as possible to create events and activities that highlight and celebrate the Rights and Freedoms of Children.
The Genesis Programme in partnership with another ABC (Area Based Childhood) Programme, the Blue Skies Initiative (Clondalkin) will launch ‘How are they Doing? A Community Perspective on Child Well-Being’ on the 20th November at 11am in the Mont Clare Hotel, Merrion Street, Dublin 2.
The study, which was carried out by Clondalkin-based organisation Archways and commissioned by the Blue Skies Initiative and The Genesis Programme, was conducted in two separate phases and examined the well-being of children aged 7, 10 and 12 years living in Clondalkin, Drogheda and Dundalk.
The children themselves answered questions on their well-being, self-concept, their cognitive abilities and academic performance. Parents and teachers were also quizzed about their perspective on how well these children were doing.
This is a day that is all about the importance of children and how they have special rights and freedoms that help them to grow into happy, healthy adults.
For more information on events taking place to mark Children’s Day 2017, click Children’s Day 2017
An innovative new early intervention programme which will help thousands of families affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was launched on Monday 6th November 2017 in the Carrickdale Hotel by Mairead McGuinness MEP.
The Changing Lives Initiative is a new cross border project to support families with children at risk of ADHD.
The initiative is being supported by an award of €2.7m by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and will be focused on County Louth, West Belfast and the Argyll & Bute region in Scotland. The programme is set to benefit over 2,000 families in these regions.
As many as 5 to 6% of school aged children are affected by ADHD. The Changing Lives Initiative is a community-based programme. It aims to create a better understanding about ADHD and provide an intervention programme for families with children (3-7) experiencing behaviours consistent with ADHD. As well as working with families the programme will provide training for those working with young children, in particular teachers and early years professionals. The programme will provide internationally recognised good practice models of intervention for children with ADHD.
The new Initiative will be delivered across County Louth, Colin/West Belfast, and the Argyll & Bute region of Scotland. There are five partner organisations involved: Archways (lead partner), Colin Neighbourhood Partnership, Dundalk Institute of Technology, The Genesis Programme (Louth Leader Partnership) and NHS Highland. The project will be delivered locally by The Genesis Programme.
Launching the initiative Mairead McGuinness, MEP said: “This is an excellent programme that will transform many lives for the better, forever. It is beyond doubt that early intervention is essential. The initiative will enable children who may have ADHD reach their full potential and it will help their parents and teachers first understand the challenges and then experience the joy and fulfilment of seeing the children develop their innate skills and talents.” She congratulated everyone connected with the new service.
Welcoming the project, Gina McIntyre CEO of the SEUPB said: “This is an excellent and much needed project which will directly benefit young people and families affected by ADHD, on a cross-border basis. Best practice early interventions will be delivered by way of new and innovative partnerships across Northern Ireland, Scotland and Ireland, reflecting one of the key objectives of the INTERREG VA Programme which is to improve the health and well-being of citizens by improving access to health and social care services in the most appropriate setting to their needs.”
Hugh Doogan, Programme Manager with The Genesis Programme, who will delivering the initiative in Co Louth said: ‘The Changing Lives Initiative is an innovative new project that will provide a much needed support for families with children aged 3 to 7 years who are concerned about ADHD. The Initiative aims to significantly reduce dependence on medicalised interventions among this group of children by providing a high quality evidence based programme to the local community. This project will make a real difference to families locally. We are extremely grateful to the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme for funding this initiative.’
Roll out of the programme has commenced in County Louth and West Belfast, with roll out in Scotland due to commence in Autumn next year. Further information on how families can avail of the programme is available at www.changinglivesinitiative.com.
Match-funding for the project has been provided by the Department for Health in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health in Ireland and NHS Highland.
What is ADHD?
Archways
INTERREG VA Programme
The Incredible Years in Action Photo Competition was a huge success and now all 100 plus entries can be seen in early years services, schools, community and health settings over the coming months.
The impressive 2.5 metre square banner has every single photograph that entered the competition.
There are pictures taken by the children themselves alongside those taken by their parents as well as snaps from early years services, schools and community groups.
It really does bring to life the impact that The Genesis Programme has had on the areas in which we work. More venues & dates will be added soon, so keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates.
| Dates | Location |
| 18th October – 3rd November 2017 | Dundalk Library |
| 6th November – 10th November 2017 | Lios na nÓg Creche, Muirhevnamor, Dundalk |
| 13th November – 17th November 2017 | Alphonsus Road Health Centre, Dundalk |
| 20th November – 24th November 2017 | Redeemer BNS, Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk |
| 27th November – 1st December 2017 | Scoil Eoin Baiste, Fatima, Dundalk |
| 4th December – 8th December 2017 | St. Brigid’s GNS, Bothar Brugha, Drogheda |
| 11th December – 15th December 2017 | St. John’s JNS, Rathmullen, Drogheda |
| 18th December 2017 – 12th January 2018 | Louth Leader Partnership Office, Drogheda |
| 15th January – 19th January 2018 | Marymount NS, Ballsgrove, Drogheda |
| 22nd January – 26th January 2018 | Redeemer GNS, Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk |
| 29th January – 2nd February 2018 | St. Joseph’s NS, Muirhevnamor, Dundalk |
| 5th February – 9th February 2018 | Gaelscoil Dún Dealgan, Muirhevnamor, Dundalk |
| 19th February – 2nd March 2018 | Moneymore Childcare Centre, Drogheda |
| 5th March – 19th March 2018 | Drogheda Library |
Launch of The Changing Lives Initiative
To confirm your attendance, please click the link below and register for the event
Register for the Launch of The Changing Lives Initiative
The Genesis Programme and Blueskies Initiative
Cordially invite you to attend the launch of
How are they doing?
A Community Perspective on Child Well Being
By Mr. John Lonergan
On Monday 20th November 2017 @ 11.00 am
In
O’ Callaghan Mont Clare Hotel, Merrion Street, Dublin 2
A Child Well Being Study carried out by Archways with Children, Parents and Teachers in Clondalkin, Drogheda and Dundalk
RSVP: info@genesislouth.ie
Over 100 photos of the Incredible Years Programmes in Action involving families, early years services, schools and community groups were very much in focus at a special event held in the County Library in Dundalk on Wednesday 18th October.
The event was the Announcement & Prize Giving Ceremony of the winners of the Incredible Years in Action Photo Competition, organised by The Genesis Programme.
The competition was sponsored by CTI Business Solutions and each of the winners received a €100 voucher from them and a framed print of their winning entry. Also unveiled on the day was a specially commissioned pop up banner that features all 100+ entries, which will be on tour around early years services, schools, community groups and public offices over the coming months.
The following were the winners in each of the different categories:
Overall Winner – ‘Happiness is in a Great Big Hug from Molly’
From St. John’s JNS in Drogheda, the picture was taken by Bernie Pentony and features teacher Catriona Smith and Viktoria Urbena – getting a big hug from Molly.
Early Years Winner – ‘Where, oh where, oh where is Wally?’
This picture was taken in Lios na nÓg in Dundalk by Angela Harvey of the children from the pre school year group playing.
Schools Winner – ‘The Calm’
This picture features the Senior Infants class at Castletown Girls’ School in Dundalk and was taken by their teacher Caroline Neary during one of their Incredible Years sessions.
Community Winner – ‘To an Incredible Start in Life’
Featuring participants in an Incredible Years Parent and Parent Programme this picture was submitted by Lucy Maguire from their Group Leaders, Lucy Maguire from the Teen Parent Support Programme (Tusla) and Antoinette Loughran, Public Health Nurse (HSE).
Home Winner – ‘Brothers by Love’
This picture was taken by Nicole Byrne at her home in Drogheda of her two boys, Harry aged one and Shay aged six. In her own words, ‘both so happy, taking everything in their stride and enjoying each other’s company’
Best Picture Taken by a Child Winner – ‘Happy Family!’
This picture was taken by 8 year old Christos Kostopoulos, a student at St. Nicholas’ NS in Dundalk and submitted by his mother, Danai Tsingari.
The bumper 5th edition of UPDATE is not available and looks back at another very successful academic year and catches up with some more recent events and activities including the Incredible Years in Action Photo Competition. Enjoy.
To access click UPDATE (Edition No. 5 – October 2017)
Funding for an innovative new early intervention programme which will help thousands of families affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been announced. The Changing Lives Initiative is a new cross border project which aims to reduce dependence on medicalised intervention in young children who have behaviours consistent with ADHD.
The local Louth team tasked with implementation are pictured above. They are L-R: Siobhan McDonald, Eileen Costello, Christina Ryan, Sandra Farrell and Annemarie Ó Murchú.
The €3 million initiative is being supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and will focus on border areas in Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland. Roll out of the programme will commence next month and will benefit over 2,000 families in these regions.
The Changing Lives Initiative is aimed at families of children aged 3 to 7 with a pattern of behaviour consistent with ADHD. It is estimated that as many as 8 to 11% of school aged children have ADHD. While international guidelines for treating this disorder suggest parent education and training programmes as the first line of treatment, this option is not available to families in these regions.
The Changing Lives Initiative will offer a programme for families consisting of an information and awareness raising programme, a screening programme, and a treatment service in the form of the 20 session Incredible Years parenting programme. In tandem with this process there will be training for those working with young children, in particular teachers and early years professionals.
The new Initiative will be delivered across County Louth, Colin/West Belfast, and the Argyll & Bute region of Scotland. The Initiative is being delivered by five partner organisations: Archways (lead partner), Colin Neighbourhood Partnership, Dundalk Institute of Technology, The Genesis Programme (Louth Leader Partnership) and NHS Highland. The programme will be rolled out locally by The Genesis Programme.
Welcoming the funding Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive Officer with the SEUPB, said: ‘This project that will have a transformative effect on the lives of thousands of children and families affected by ADHD. It also underlines the EU’s commitment to supporting the development of more efficient health and social care delivered through new and innovative cross-border partnerships to all citizens. The cross border collaborative partnership involved in this project will deliver upon an internationally recognised good practice model of intervention for children with ADHD and hyperkinetic disorders.’
Hugh Doogan, Programme Manager with The Genesis Programme who will delivering the initiative in Co Louth said: ‘The Changing Lives Initiative is an innovative new project that will provide a much needed support for families with children aged 3 to 7 years who are concerned about ADHD. The Initiative aims to significantly reduce dependence on medicalised interventions among this group of children by providing a high quality evidence based programme to the local community. This project will make a real difference to families locally. We are extremely grateful to the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme for funding this initiative.’
The project will be evaluated by researchers in the NetwellCasala Centre in Dundalk Institute of Technology, led by Dr Lucia Carragher.
Dr Carragher, Research Fellow at the NetwellCasala Centre in Dundalk Institute of Technology said: ‘DkIT is one of the leading Institutes of Technology with an international reputation in terms of its research. As a core research centre within DkIT, our work on this project will support evidence based practice not just locally but in Northern Ireland and Scotland, helping to shape policy in the years ahead’.
The Initiative will be rolled out in County Louth and West Belfast in coming months, with roll out in Scotland due to commence in Autumn next year. Further information on how families can avail of the programme will be available soon from the partner organisations.
Match-funding for the project has been provided by the Department for Health in Northern Ireland and the Department of Health in Ireland
INTERREG VA Programme
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