Sep 16, 2024 | Education, Health and Wellbeing, News & Events
The Croige team recently completed a First Aid Responder Training, where we gained a wealth of knowledge! Here are some key takeaways we’re excited to share with you: 🚑🩹
👷 Safety First: When providing first aid, always remember to assess the environment and ensure your own safety first before helping others. Your safety is paramount to effectively assisting someone in need.
📦 First Aid Kit: Always ensure you have access to a fully stocked first aid kit. Being prepared can make all the difference in an emergency.
🔌 Defibrillation (AED) & CPR: Did you know that using a Defibrillator (AED) within the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest can dramatically increase survival rates? Combined with effective CPR, we can greatly improve the chances of recovery. Familiarize yourself with the location of the nearest public access AED by logging onto Rescue.ie and using the AED locator function.
🔥 Burns: Quick and proper treatment of burns is vital. Submerge the burn in cool water (tepid water for a child) for at least 10 minutes to reduce pain and prevent further damage. Don’t use running water or ice directly on the burned area as that can cause more damage. Cover the burn with a clean, non-stick dressing.
💔 Breaks and Fractures: immobilize the injured area and keep it stable until professional medical help arrives to prevent further injury. Knowing how to handle fractures can make a big difference in the recovery process.
Finally we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible instructor, Sheila Nolan. Over the course of our 3-day training, Sheila’s vast knowledge and engaging teaching style made for an informative and enjoyable training. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Thank you, Sheila! 🌟
🚑 Exciting News! 🚑
As a result of our recent First Aid Responder training, we’ve decided to take action and come together to fundraise for a much-needed defibrillator for our Killarney Centre. This initiative is part of an integration program within KDYS aimed at encouraging young people to actively engage with their community.
We are thrilled to involve our young people in this important cause and are looking forward to organizing various fundraising activities to make this happen. Together, we can enhance the safety of our community and empower our youth to make a real difference!
Why is a defibrillator so important? A defibrillator can be a lifesaver during cardiac emergencies, providing a crucial intervention that can significantly increase survival rates. Having one on hand at our centre will ensure we are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in critical situations.
Stay tuned for more updates on how you can get involved and support this initiative. Let’s come together to equip our centre with this vital lifesaving device! ❤️
Sep 16, 2024 | Health and Wellbeing, News & Events
At Croíge, we love getting out with the young people we work with and immersing ourselves in nature. A trip to the beach can not only be fun—it can also be therapeutic! Here’s why the beach is such an effective stress reliever:
🔊Sound of Waves: The rhythmic sound of waves creates a meditative atmosphere, lowering heart rate and reducing stress hormones. This natural white noise also improves sleep quality.
🌅 Natural Beauty: the beautiful views help clear the mind, providing a sense of peace and tranquillity. This natural scenery fosters a deep sense of relaxation and helps melt away stress.
🌊 Physical Sensations: Walking on the sand massages the feet, stimulating pressure points and promoting relaxation. The sensation of cool water on the skin can reduce muscle tension and promote a sense of calm.
🍃 Fresh Air: The clean ocean air improves oxygen intake and boosts serotonin levels, lifting mood and reducing stress.
☀️ Sunshine: Sunlight increases serotonin production, enhancing mood and focus. It also regulates circadian rhythms, improving sleep patterns crucial for stress management.
🏃 Exercise: Beach activities like walking, swimming, or playing games release endorphins, natural stress relievers. Even light exercise can help improve mood and reduce anxiety.
🌴 Escape from Routine: A beach day offers a break from the daily grind, refreshing the mind and reducing burnout.
🧘 Mindfulness and Presence: The beach environment encourages mindfulness. Engaging in simple activities like watching waves, collecting shells, or feeling the sand can help anchor you in the present moment, reducing anxious thoughts.
🍃 Connection with Nature: Being in nature reduces cortisol levels and increases feelings of well-being. The beach’s combination of water, sand, and open sky is a great setting for stress reduction.
🌈 Sensory Engagement: The beach engages all five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. This multi-sensory experience can help ground you and provide a distraction from stressors.
🏖️ Play and Leisure: The beach is a place of play and leisure, from building sandcastles to lounging in the sun. These activities promote fun and relaxation, essential for reducing stress.
🎨 Creativity: During our time in nature, we often collect treasures such as shells and sticks to use in future craft projects. This hands-on activity not only fuels creativity but also creates lasting memories from our beach outings
Mindfulness Activity to try at the beach:
The 5-4-3-2-1 Technique
Try this simple exercise on your next beach trip to promote relaxation:
1. 5 Things You Can See: Look around and identify five things you can see.
2. 4 Things You Can Feel: Notice four things you can physically feel.
3. 3 Things You Can Hear: Listen for three distinct sounds.
4. 2 Things You Can Smell: Take a deep breath and identify two smells.
5. 1 Thing You Can Taste: Notice any lingering taste.
The beach provides a holistic environment addressing multiple aspects of stress relief, from physical relaxation to mental clarity and emotional support.
Sep 16, 2024 | Get Involved, News & Events
The Kerry Diocesan Youth Service (KDYS) in partnership with the Castleisland Garda Siochana ran their annual soccer tournament at Castleisland’s AFC Georgie O’ Callaghan Pitch, Castleisland on Thursday 18th of July. The event was a great success with record breaking number of teams entering, there was 16 teams with around 160 players taking part. This year there were three categories: Primary School section, under 15’s and under 18’s competition.
The primary school competition had 9 teams taking part. They were put into three groups with top three teams in each group getting into the semi-finals. In the end it came down to a final between ‘The Ramblers’ and ‘The Confidence Killers’. The final was a competitive match with great skill on display with ‘The Ramblers’ winning on a score line of 2-1. The team were delighted to win the trophy and victory brought huge celebrations.
There were 5 teams in this category with each team playing eachother with the top two teams in the final. The Final was between ‘Snackbox FC’ and ‘Sean Griffins’s Boys’ with ‘Snackbox FC’ winning on a scoreline of 2-0. The Georgie O Callaghan cup was presented by his brother James to the winning captain Ajay O Connor.
There were 2 teams in the under 18’s competition. They played eachother twice, and the match was played out in a great spirit and in the end ‘Aidan Joy’s Mafia ’ were victorious beating ‘The Grizzleys’ on a score line of 1-0.
In each competition, there were also awards handed out to individuals for Player of the Tournament. In the Primary game, Dylan O Biren from ‘The Ramblers’ received the award. In the U15’S category Glen O Sullivan from ‘Snackbox FC’ received the award. Maurice Lane from ‘Aidan Joys Mafia’ received the award for the U18’S category. The event was organised by Chris Brosnan and Helena Falvey, Youth Justice Workers, KDYS, alongside Garda Niamh Corkery, Sgt Marcus Twomey and Garda Mike Dwyer. However, the event depends on the support and help of many local volunteers.
The KDYS and Castleisland Garda Siochana would like to take this opportunity to thank the following people:
- Stuart Auctioneers for sponsorship of medals and plaques
- Castleisland AFC for use of Georgie O Callaghan Pitch and special mention to its member James O Callaghan for helping on the night.
- Cian Ring, Jim O Connor and student Garda Kalid who did an outstanding job refereeing the games
- KDYS staff and An Garda Siochana for their help on the night.
Thanks also to all the team organisers, players and everyone else who supported the event. We look forward to seeing you again next year.
This project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
Aug 21, 2024 | Employment, News & Events
In advance of the Budget, Berni Smyth, CEO of KDYS outlines the need for increased investment in youth work and the priorities identified specifically for the young people and youth services in Kerry.
Youth Work Ireland have produced this handy leaflet. Please use this as a reference if you are talking to politicians and relevant stakeholders about how they can show their support for young people in Budget 2025. Click Below to Read:
YWI Budget 2025
KDYS Pre-Budget 2025 submission August 2024 Final
May 13, 2024 | News & Events
KDYS Youth Information delivers a ‘KDYS Transfer Programme’ to 6th class students across Kerry. The programme aims to support young people in their transition into secondary school.
KDYS have been delivering the KDYS Transfer Programmes to schools across the county for over 15 years and have impacted on more than 35 schools annually since 2021. The programme was researched and produced by KDYS youth workers, utilising both internal and external resources and was reviewed and updated in 2022 by the then 6th class students from several schools across the county. The programme is delivered in a fun, informative and interactive manner.
KDYS Transfer Programme is made up of four sessions delivered weekly using a workbook. . This workbook will remain with the student at the end of the programme. Each session focuses on a different aspect of secondary school. The programme aims to reduce anxiety associated with moving onto second level education. Young people are encouraged to ask questions, to identify their concerns and expectations. To get to know as much as they can about their new school prior to moving in September.
In 2024 KDYS Youth Information introduced a pilot peer education programme, to enable 4th year students to deliver the programme to 6th class students. The programme has been piloted in Castleisland and Killorglin. The Transition Year students in Castleisland Community College and Killorglin Community College have trained to deliver the KDYS Transfer Programme to three primary schools in Castleisland and one primary school in Killorglin.
This programme provides TY students with the opportunity to gain additional skills and to share their knowledge of life in secondary school with 6th class students. The 6th class students in turn get to build positive relationships with the TY students, providing them with a readymade support network when they move into secondary school in September.
For more information regarding the programme, do not hesitate to contact KDYS Youth Information: Anne on 087 7801575 or Shannon on 085 8075996.
annemurphy@kcys.ie or shannonosullivan@kcys.ie
Apr 5, 2024 | Leisure, Sports/Travel, News & Events
What is there to do in Kerry?
Sports/ Clubs & Societies
- (KRSP) Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership Tralee – aims to increase participation in sport and physical activity and, thereby, the creation of a more active, more inclusive, and healthier society. Contact information 066 718 4776 / info@kerryrecreationandsports.ie
- GAA Football clubs in Kerry- https://www.kerrygaa.ie/clubs/
- Visit the Aquadome, an indoor pool with fun slides and water effects. Open 10am-10pm Monday – Friday and 10am-7pm weekends. https://aquadome.ie/
- Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre Open 10am-10pm Monday – Thursday, 10am-9pm Friday and 10am-7pm weekends. https://killarney.coralleisure.ie/
- Tralee Park runs happen every Saturday @9:30am. Take place at Tralee Town Park, Denny Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
There are multiple clubs and societies available in the MTU Munster Technological University. To view clubs https://www.mtu.ie/campus-life/clubs/ and to view societies https://www.mtu.ie/campus-life/societies/.
There are various clubs and societies depending on your interests. If you need more information contact KDYS Youth Information 087 7801575 / 085 8075996.
Entertainment
- Bowling Buddies in Tralee https://bowlingbuddiestralee.com/
- Omniplex Cinema located in Killarney and Tralee
- Killarney Skate Park located beside Killarney Sports and Leisure club.
Adventure
In Kerry we are fortunate to have some of the most beautiful beaches, national parks and hidden gems dotted across the county. For more information visit https://www.discoverkerry.com/
