31 youth councils across the country
Cork City Comhairle na nÓg
- Coordinator names: Carolyn Collier and Elaine Howley
- Contact email: carolyn.collier@ymca-ireland.net / elaine.howley@ymca-ireland.net
- Address:
c/o Chris Dorgan,
Cork City Council
Anglesea Street
Cork City
Co. Cork - Tel: 021 4924076 – Chris 086-8657230 – Carolyn
- National Executive representative: Akshita Gupta
- Twitter: @corkcity_cnn
- Facebook: Cork City Comhairle na nÓg
- Instagram: comhairle_cork
About us
Current topic
2022
Cork City Comhairle na nÓg’s topic for 2022/23 is Youth Mental Health. They have an upcoming workshop with Jigsaw Cork and members are designing a survey to understand which aspects of Youth Mental Health to focus on.
2021
Cork City Comhairle na nÓg were working on the topic of Inclusivity in 2021. Their key actions were:
- Development and promotion of policy promoting solidarity.
- Educational resource development ( to include questionnaire and video)
- Launch Event
News – November 2021
Cork City Comhairle recently picked up a group community Garda Youth Award in recognition for their valuable contribution to promoting inclusivity in Cork City. One of their key actions was the development and promotion of policy promoting solidarity, including the production of educational resources like this video which was launched in November 2021.
June 2021:
Images from Cork City Comhairle’s recent filming days in Fitzgerald’s park and in the city for the creation of the group’s Inclusivity video. They were joined on the day by Fionnuala O’ Connell, Raphael Olympio and Fabian Boros from the ABCD project
https://www.leargas.ie/blog/european-solidarity-project-racism-ireland/
Comhairle members take to the airwaves to tackle racism
Cork City Comhairle na nÓg have been running a podcast over the summer months as part of their topic of Segregation & Diversity. They have set up a website to document their work on this topic which is accessible here. The podcast features a series of online discussions between their members and organisations who are working in the field of human rights, with a particular focus on migrant rights
Listen to episode 1 here
Listen to episode 2 here
Members have been busy carrying out research and learning more about human rights and segregation, and put this to good use in their discussions with organisations such as Cork Migrant Centre.
They also presented on their work at this fantastic webinar on Friday 21st August. It was a relevant and excellent platform for the young people to discuss their work – their topic for this year was focused on anti-racism and segregation. Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Roderic O’Gorman TD was also in attendance. #OurBraveSpaceTogether
United Together, Staying Apart… Collaborative creativity in a time of crisis. Comhairle members from Cork City, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford came together to make this brilliant and informative video about the importance of social distancing in combating the Covid virus.
Past topics
Cork Comhairle na nÓg focused on the topic of Segregation and Diversity in 2020.
They completed a 6 week DOWTCHA workshop exploring the theme of segregation (including diversity and multiculturalism). These proved to be very creative workshops that included team building and listening skills. Working through the theme of segregation, the workshops provided abstract ways to engage with the subject through storytelling, metaphor and role-play.
Cork City Comhairle’s primary topic for 2018-19 was suicide prevention awareness and involved a 3 point strategic plan. They developed a campaign called Turning Tides which is being progressed through the website, the campaign video and the peer led ‘Turning Tides’ signposting session.
STRATEGY 1: AWARENESS RAISING
Raise awareness of and break down barriers to the key help services for people who may be feeling suicidal in Cork city. They have made a video in partnership with Samaritans, ChildLine and Pieta House showing what it’s like for a service user accessing and using services focused on suicide prevention. The video was launched at our AGM in October 2018 and here it is.
Awareness blog/website:
http://www.ymcacork.net/cnn/turningtides/
Our blog will showcase our progress and work in relation to our suicide awareness campaign
STRATEGY 2: PEER SIGNPOSTING SESSION DESIGN AND DELIVERY
We are designing a signposting session that can be delivered by young people to young people highlighting the main three services available nationwide to young people who are feeling suicidal. People who complete this session will receive a turning tides enamel pin with a card attached highlighting the services.
STRATEGY 3: ADVOCACY SESSION
To advocate for suitable and relevant suicide prevention support and training for youth. We will work, with the support or our local councillors and HSE members towards advocacy for peer training on suicide awareness for young people aged 16+. The current age limit around training is 18+.
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Here is the super animated video made by Comhairle members to tell us all about their Comhairle. Not only that, post-production and sound was carried out by former member Aoife James.
Identifying youth employment as an issue, Cork City Comhairle decided to set up a website to help young jobseekers. The result was www.workwonders.ie — a site by young people for young people. Featuring interviews, videos and articles, WorkWonders is a one-stop shop with all the information young people need before venturing into the world of work. In spring 2016, we were happy to receive the support of TD Micheál Martin and to be featured in his comments in the Dáil, calling on government to support guidance counseling in Irish Schools.
Together with our partners, Cork City Council, Cork Enterprise Board, Institute of Guidance Counsellors and other youth services and online resources, we aim to make an impact in the current youth employment situation, improving youth employment prospects and services for young people in Cork City. We hope that many young people will use our website and join to spread the word about this important topic.
What Can I Do? – Children’s Rights Initiative
In June 2014, we worked with UCC to produce ‘What Can I Do?’ a video exploring children’s rights in Ireland and pushing for ratification of all parts of the UN Convention on the rights of the child.
Missing Link – Drugs and Mental Health
In April 2013, we held an event called The Missing Link highlighting the connection between mental health and drugs. During our research, we identified eight key areas which require action. We invited mental health professionals, drugs workers, young people, politicians and the media to present our research and suggested solutions. Drugs and Mental Health: The Missing Link, looked at dual diagnosis and the gaps in addressing these two issues.
