Do you want to become a highly skilled facilitator and advance within your chosen profession or seek new employment opportunities? …  If so, the Master of Arts in Advanced Facilitation Skills for Promoting Health and Wellbeing is an innovative practice orientated programme; the only one of its kind nationally.  It is designed to enhance personal growth and development, and to advance the knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies required to effectively promote health and wellbeing with groups, individuals and key populations.  Experiential learning is central to the course, and this supports students to develop their skills through the medium of the group process, reflective practice, practical experience and research.  For more information, visit: www.wit.ie/wd591

Do you provide care to a family member or loved one? ...  If so, researchers on the CHERISH initiative at Maynooth University, who aim to promote a ‘Think Carer’ approach in health and social care services, would love to hear about your experiences.  Over 39% of family carers in Ireland are men and, therefore, the research team would like to encourage the participation of men in this important research.  Please consider taking the time to complete this anonymous and confidential survey, and share it with men who may be providing care.  It will take about 10-15 minutes to complete, and the responses will be used to inform the design of future services to carers in community healthcare settings.  You can take part by visiting: https://maynoothpsychology.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e4Kc6cRdqhaxwUZ

The 2018 Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey included a set of questions exploring public attitudes towards transgender people.  This is the first time that NILT has explored this area, and the results provide a useful baseline of public opinion.  Analysis of the data was undertaken by Gail Neil (Ulster University) and Siobhan McAlister (Queen's University), who published a Research Update titled:  'The Missing T: Baselining Attitudes Towards Transgender People in Northern Ireland'.  You can download this paper at: www.ark.ac.uk/ARK/sites/default/files/2019-06/update128.pdf

The Health Improvement, Equality and Involvement Department of the Western Health and Social Care Trust is linking World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September 2019 and World Mental Health Day on 10th October 2019 to encourage people to talk about the ‘elephant in the room’ - in other words, the things that we often choose to ignore: our emotions and how we feel.  You are cordially invited to a half day launch event to showcase the ‘Elephant’ interactive campaign pack and a range of resources that you can use in your community, school or workplace to start the conversation.  There will be presentations from Conor McCafferty, Director of Zest and the North Star Health and Wellbeing Centre.  The launch will take place on Tuesday 10th September 2019, from 10.00am until 1.00pm, in the Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh.  Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided.  Places are limited, so early booking is advised at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/whsct-elephant-in-the-room-campaign-launch-tickets-66194179573

The Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI) launched their #DeclarationofIndependence video campaign on Sunday 5th May 2019 as part of European Day on Independent Living.  The short film features twenty disabled activists from across the country talking about the need for disabled people to work together, and for issues disabled people face to be seen as equality and human rights issues.  Check out this powerful and inspirational clip at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=68CF8q8tuXM

Applications are invited for a workshop which focuses upon increasing understanding of men’s health issues and how to engage men with health and social services.  This full day 'Engage' training is being offered by the Western Health and Social Care Trust's Health Improvement Team, and will take place on the 26th of September 2019 in Omagh, Co. Tyrone.  It is suitable for any practitioner, of any gender, who works with men in any setting.  The workshop will explore: why we need to work with men as a specific group; understanding men through their eyes; gender bias and health; our own value base, experience and attitudes; barriers to men seeking help and support; opportunities to create the conditions for positive engagement.  For more information, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 02871 865127.

Did you miss the Male Psychology Conference 2019 in London last June?  If so, you might be interested in catching-up with what went on by watching videos of some of the presentations at: www.youtube.com/channel/UCd2epsgcEhiF3LzXAkQlhFQ/videos

‘State of the World’s Fathers’ - produced by Promundo - is a biennial report and advocacy platform which aims to change power structures, policies, and social norms around care work and to advance gender equality.  The third State of the World’s Fathers report reveals new research on men’s caregiving from 11 countries, with additional cross-country analysis of data from over 30 countries.  You can download the report at: https://stateoftheworldsfathers.org/report/state-of-the-worlds-fathers-helping-men-step-up-to-care