{jcomments off}The primary aim of this programme is to train youth and community workers to deliver HIV, hepatitis, and sexual health education programmes to the groups in their care.  Over four days, participants will be trained on HIV, hepatitis, STIs, negotiating safer sex, and general sexual health.  Guest speakers will also form part of the programme including speakers on contraception and family planning, relationships and sexuality education, LGBT issues, and best practice guidelines with regard to sexual health education programmes.  The dates are: 12th May, 19th May, 26th May and 2nd June 2015, with the programme commencing at 10.00am and lasting until 4.30pm each day.  Participants will receive the 'Let's Talk About... Safer Sex' training resource manual on completion of the programme.  For further information, visit: www.dublinaidsalliance.ie/index.php?page=Training-for-Trainers

{jcomments off}A new branch of the British Society of Gerontology in Northern Ireland (BSGNI) is being formed which will bring together practitioners, educators, policy-makers, students and older people.  The aim of the Society is to increase awareness of social gerontology, and to develop a vibrant, cross-sector, social gerontology research network within Northern Ireland.  To launch BSGNI, an event titled ‘Representing Age’ will take place on Wednesday 22nd April 2015.  Professor Julia Twigg (University of Kent) will present her research on clothes, fashion and age, whilst Dr Maeve Rea (Queen’s University Belfast) will talk about ‘Super Vivere: Reflections on long life and ageing well’.  This event will take place in the Arts Council, 77 Malone Road, Belfast, from 3.00pm - 5.00pm.  Registration begins at 2.30pm.  The event is free.  However, places are limited and, so, must be booked in advance by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}The Community Development and Health Network (CDHN) has opened up a new round of funding through their Building the Community-Pharmacy Partnership (BCPP) programme.  They are seeking new community-pharmacy partnerships throughout Northern Ireland and continue to support partnerships previously involved in BCPP.  The BCPP programme promotes and supports local communities to work in partnership with community pharmacists to address local health and social wellbeing needs using a community development approach.  Level 2 funding is for those with established partnerships who have a clear vision of what they want the project to achieve.  It consists of a maximum of £10,000 for a project that can last up to two years.  The closing date for Level 2 applications is Thursday 16th April 2015 at 4.00pm.  For more information, visit: www.cdhn.org/bcpp

{jcomments off}I am a 51 year old woman living with Bipolar; married for 24 years to a man who has walked the demanding path of Bipolar with me.  However, it has had a cost for him.  As a man, he has had to carry the pressure alone.  My taking Lithium has helped, but it has left him stressed and questioning his own self-confidence.  At 45, I returned to University and studied Psychology.  I wanted to increase the research and support for men living with and loving someone with Bipolar.  At the moment, there is nothing available to help men living with a partner with bipolar.  This is a silent sector suffering alone.  I am dedicating my present Thesis to examining the experience of Irish men.  I am asking Irish men to come forward to be interviewed for my research and, from this, to develop a specific therapy for men living with this burden.  I am asking you - any men with this experience - to tell me your story, and let me know the supports you need.  The interviews will be under an assumed name, in confidence, and can be completed through Skype.  To help with this study, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Tel: 086 8598792.

{jcomments off}The Irish Men's Sheds Association is seeking an Interim Chief Executive to take on the management, oversight, and day-to-day running of the organisation for a period of one year.  This is an opportunity to join one of Ireland’s most innovative organisations which is making a difference to men’s lives and impacting on the wider community.  The Interim Chief Executive will work closely with the Board of Directors, and will manage the current team of staff and volunteers.  The role will focus on all core aspects of operational, financial and team management, and the successful candidate should be passionate about social change and a champion for the work of Men’s Sheds in Ireland.  For more details see: http://menssheds.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/IMSA-Interim-CEO-Job-description.pdf

{jcomments off}The HSE has launched a major survey of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Ireland.  The MSM Internet Survey Ireland (MISI) 2015 aims to identify the sexual health and HIV prevention needs of MSM living in Ireland.  The survey went live on 1st March at www.misi.ie and will be open for participation until the 31st May 2015.  MISI 2015 is a cross-sectoral partnership of statutory organisations, NGOs and voluntary organisations working in the area of HIV prevention and sexual health; consisting of the HSE’s Gay Men’s Health Service (GMHS), Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), Crisis Pregnancy Programme (CPP), and the Gay Health Network (GHN).  The project is supported by an advisory group of international experts.  The partnership is urging as many men as possible to participate in the survey and to contribute to the future planning of HIV prevention and sexual health services and promotion.

{jcomments off}You are invited to apply for a place on a Men’s Health Symposium which will be held in Dr Steeven’s Hospital, Dublin, on Wednesday 15th April 2015.  The aim of this event is to
launch / disseminate a report on the review of Ireland's National Men’s Health Policy, and to consider the implications of this report in the context of Healthy Ireland and future men’s health work.  This symposium will also
showcase recent outputs in men’s health that can inform ongoing and future initiatives.  To view a copy of the programme, visit: www.mhfi.org/symposium2015.pdf  For an application form, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

{jcomments off}Improving Children’s Lives, in association with Parenting NI, Family Mediation NI and the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, recently hosted a seminar on 'The Importance of Fathers in Children's Lives: Outcomes, Evidence and Rights into Practice'.  This took place on Thursday 12th February 2015 in Queen's University Belfast.  The proceedings were videoed, and these recordings are now available on the Improving Children’s Lives website at: www.improvingchildrenslives.org/Resources/Videos