Author: corklifecentre

The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network estimates that in Ireland bereavement affects between 36,000 and 60,000 school children. Yet how many teachers or other professionals have the confidence to really talk to children about death and loss. Sometimes all that may be required is to listen or to give children a medium to express their feelings. … Continue reading Listening to Loss: Children and Bereavement

What an extraordinary week at the Cork Life centre for our annual Edmund Rice Conference. We have welcomed some wonderful guests into our community. As you enter our door you will see the following words 'May all who enter as guests leave as friends'. We could not wish for better friends and advocates for children … Continue reading Not just hearing but listening to young people’s voices

It’s that time of year again where we gather to learn about issues affecting young people’s lives from experts,guests and friends and most importantly from young people themselves. Next week beginning Tuesday May 2nd we will welcome guests and speakers Deirdre Burke(The Guardian Children’s Project), Shane Griffin (Care Leavers Ireland), Tony Bates (Headstrong), Ruairi McKiernan(Spunout,Uplift) […]

Some snaps from our wonderful Christmas dinner last week. Thanks to all who made it possible.

A school in the UK has put the UN Convention on the Right of the Child (UNCRC) at the heart of a its practice to improve well-being and help all children and young people realise their potential. This is something our schools here in Ireland could really learn from. A spokesman for the school said: “By … Continue reading School puts UNCRC at heart of ethos and culture

'Systems work best when individuals stop asking “What’s wrong with this child?” and start asking “What happened to this child?”'  That's the message from U.S. recent research on the need for a holistic response to young people's complex needs -one we wholeheartedly agree with. Too often, the behavioural health needs of youth go unidentified and unaddressed, … Continue reading “What happened to this child?”

Children in care are particularly vulnerable, especially those who are in residential care. It was quite shocking to read this week in the Irish Examiner that a primary-aged school child in residential care has not been in education since February and that she is risk of being “institutionalised.” As outlined in the report, the child … Continue reading Children in care must be educated, just like every other child #childrenincare

Tomorrow the Human Rights Council session takes place. During this process the report on Ireland’s recent UPR will be adopted. We made a submission to this process through Edmund Rice International with the support of Br Brian Bond.  During the session NGOs have the opportunity to take the floor and deliver a 2 min statement. Through … Continue reading Human Rights Council 30th Session

Last year we had more than 60 volunteers give their time to work with us, but we need new blood all the time to keep our services alive.  While we still await proper and secure funding from the Department of Education and Skills we at the centre continue to commit to offering opportunities to young … Continue reading Volunteers needed – come and be part of our team!

Exciting news from the U.S., where a bill, the Childhood Outcomes Need New Efficient Community Teams (CONNECT) Act will authorize grants for collecting data on and developing policies to help so-called "dual status youth". Dual status youth or "crossover cases" refer to young people who are involved with both the welfare and justice systems. “We need more information … Continue reading New laws in U.S. will assist children in care who cross into justice system