Wexford CYPSC Showcase Event Feb 10th 2026
Wexford Children and Young People’s Services Committee hosted a showcase event on Tuesday 10 February in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
The event provided Sub Groups with the opportunity to showcase some of their projects.
Proceedings were opened by Greg Mullan, Wexford CYPSC Chairperson who welcomed everyone and paid tribute to the vast amount of work being done to improve outcomes for children and young people in Co. Wexford.
Sheila Barrett, Wexford CYPSC Co-ordinator referenced the current Wexford Children and Young People’s Plan 2025-2027.
There were several informative presentations during the morning. Nicola Collins, Sports Active -Local Sports Partnership presented the “Girls Get Active” project. This project targets teenage girls with the aim of increasing their levels of physical activity. This project was funded by the CYPSC Healthy Ireland Fund.
Avril O’Sullivan, Ferns Diocesan Youth Service (FDYS) presented on the “Disability Pathways Resource”. This resource is for parents of children and young people under 18 years of age. It aims to provide information to parents in accessible formats. The resource will be launched soon and will be available in several formats. The resource was also funded under the CYPSC Healthy Ireland Fund.
Alison O’Connor, Tusla gave an overview of the vast number of supports being provided to children and young people in international accommodation, under the CYPSC International Protection Fund. Juliette Zmorrod from the Doulab also spoke about the contemporary circus and dance project delivered to two groups of young people in international accommodation in late 2025.
The Pre-Adolescent Traveller Holistic Programme (PATH) was presented by Kieran Donohoe and Robbie Sludds from FDYS. They outlined how this programme was recently evaluated. The findings demonstrated that participation in the programme has had a positive impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of young people from the Traveller and Roma communities and young people experiencing social exclusion.
Ger O’Connor (Bernardos) and Siobhán Cummins (Wexford County Childcare Committee) gave a presentation on the work of the EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance) Implementation Group. Following the publication of the Wexford EBSA Pack, a number of parent workshops and train the trainer courses have been delivered by this group.
Finally, Ger O’Connor (Barnardos) gave an overview of the Wexford Parents Hub Video project. Developed with funding from the Parent Awareness Fund, a set of seven short videos showcase the supports available for parents in Co. Wexford.
The event was closed by Greg Mullan who thanked everyone for their participation in the event and their ongoing support for the CYPSC initiative in Co. Wexford.
Certificate in “Understanding and Responding to Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence”
South East Technological University (SETU) in association with Wexford Children and Young People’s Services Committee offered the “Certificate in Understanding and Responding to Gender Based Violence and Abuse”.
The need for this course was identified through the consultation. It is an action in the Wexford Children and Young People’s Plan 2025-2027 under the “DSGBV Task Group” and it was funded under the CYPSC Programme Fund.
Over the course of five days 16 professionals participated in the training which was delivered in blended and in-person format. These participants were drawn from several agencies and organisations throughout Co Wexford. They brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the course.
Thank you to Eoin O’Brien and Helen Conway from SETU for their support in bringing this course to fruition.
Substance Use Information and Awareness Sessions
Members of the CYPSC Drugs Misuse Task Group identified that there was a gap in terms of professionals having up to date information on substance awareness. Andy Hargreaves, Drug Education Officer with the HSE Substance Misuse Service is a member of the Task Group. With the support of the Wexford CYPSC office, he facilitated two information and awareness sessions on substance use on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 November. Twenty-one professionals took part in the training over the two sessions.
Some of the topics that were covered included.
- What is a drug?
- What do drugs look like?
- Why do some teenagers and adults take drugs?
- Some signs and symptoms of drug use
- Understanding some of the causes of drug-related problems
- Some of the consequences of taking drugs
- Practical ways that professionals/loved ones/friends can help
- Communication between adults and teenagers regarding substance use (SAOR Programme)
- Contact details of local confidential help available
As a follow up, participants have been offered the opportunity to take part in SAOR (Screening and Brief Intervention for Alcohol and Substance Use) training. Depending on the level of interest, this training may be offered in 2026.
National "Breastfeeding Week"
National Breastfeeding Week 2025
Wexford celebrated National Breastfeeding Week 2025 from October 1st to 7th with the theme "Hold me close: The power of skin-to-skin contact". Events included four county-wide coffee mornings organized by Cuidiú Wexford and other support groups in locations such as Enniscorthy, Wexford town, New Ross, and Gorey. The events welcomed breastfeeding parents and their supporters to connect and find information.
K
ey Events:
- Presentation Arts Centre, Enniscorthy: October 1st, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
- Clonard Community Centre, Wexford: October 3rd, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
- Brandon House Hotel, New Ross: October 6th, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
- Gorey Library: October 8th, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Theme and Purpose:
- Theme: "Hold me close: The power of skin-to-skin contact"
- Goal: To normalize breastfeeding and highlight the importance of skin-to-skin contact for bonding and development
- Activities: Coffee mornings were hosted by local breastfeeding support organizations to provide a space for parents and supporters to connect and learn more about the resources available.
Supporting organisations:
Cuidiú Wexford, The HSE (Health Service Executive), and La Leche League of Ireland.
In 2022 a video to support and promote breastfeeding was developed by Wexford CYPSC in association with the HSE and Wexford Public Library Service. Click here to view. Watch Siobhán Sinnott Child Health Development Officer, HSE talk to Jenny Trout and baby Oisín. They are joined by Stephanie Murray (Clinical Midwife Specialist in Lactation, Wexford General Hospital), Nuria Tasies (Domino Midwife Lead WGH) and Alexandra Fenton (Breastfeeding Counsellor with Cuidiú).
Please see mychild.ie for information, support on breastfeeding and details of Breastfeeding Support Group meetings. You can check out these groups on social media. In addition to these supports, HSE's online Breastfeeding service "Ask our Expert" is available through HSE.ie.
Karen Treisman Training
“Exploring the Psychological and Emotional Needs of Young People in Asylum-Seeking and Refugee Contexts; with an Educational Focus”
- A Two-Day Introductory Training Workshop with Dr Karen Treisman
This two-day workshop took place on 21 and 22 October. 53 professionals took part in the training. It offered an engaging and informative introduction to some of the complex psychological, emotional, and social needs of children and adolescents within asylum-seeking and refugee contexts. Led by award-winning Clinical Psychologist, Author, and Organizational Consultant, Dr Karen Treisman, the training provided a nuanced overview of the unique challenges faced by these young people, while also equipping professionals with some practical strategies within educational settings for meaningful and effective support.
Screenshot of some of the participants on the training course.
This training was supported through the CYPSC International Protection Fund.
Irish Childhood Bereavement Network Workshop
Participants on ICBN Workshop June 16
A workshop on “Understanding and Supporting Bereaved Children” took place on Monday 16 June in Kilcannon Garden Centre, Enniscorthy. The workshop was delivered by the Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN) in association with Wexford CYPSC
The workshop covered the following topics;
- Understand how bereavement impacts children at different developmental stages: grief reactions, supports and red flags
- Increase your confidence in supporting bereaved families within the context and scope of your role
- Strengthen collaboration between local members and to develop a shared approach to bereavement support and compassionate community
- Recognise grief-related challenges early and to guide families to appropriate support
- Develop a map if local and national bereavement supports
We appreciate the participation and engagement of the following organisations : SETU, HSE, Southend and ARC FRCs, Tusla, Barnardos, Youth New Ross, Gorey SCP.
Special thanks to Mags and Sonia from ICBN for delivering the workshop.
To find out more about the work of ICBN and the resources that are available, visit the ICBN website here.
Solihull Approach to Infant Mental Health – Training
Training on the “Solihull Approach to Infant Mental Health” was delivered over two days on May 8 and 15 2025. Debbie Scales delivered the training to 21 participants from the community / voluntary and statutory sector.
Solihull training is a framework focused on supporting emotional health and wellbeing through relationships and nurturing, responsive interactions. It links understanding brain development to behaviour, communication, and emotional health.
It was developed in practice by psychologists, child psychotherapists, health visitors, and practitioners.
Following the two-day introductory training course, two members of the Infant Mental Health Network went on to complete the “Solihull Train the Trainer” course. They can now deliver further training within Co. Wexford.
Literacy Awareness Workshop
WWETB facilitated a Literacy Awareness workshop with nine staff members from the Wexford CYPSC network on 29 April. 2025. The workshop took place in the Wexford College of Further Education and Training.
The Literacy Awareness Workshop covered the following topics:
- What is literacy
- The literacy landscape in Ireland
- Impacts and causes
- How to be literacy friendly
- Creating a literacy friendly environment
- Tips and Tools
Thank you to all the organisations who participated. Special thanks to Edel Finan (ALL Co-ordinator) and Maurice Sammon (Literacy Ambassador) for facilitating the workshop.
Supporting Bereaved Children and Young People
#HereForYouSouthEast Regional Bereavement Support Campaign 2021
The HSE Regional Suicide Resource Office, in collaboration with the Children & Young People's Services Committees and the Healthy County Committees in the South East Community Healthcare region are hosting a Bereavement Support Campaign. Commencing on September 6th 2021 and over the course of eight weeks, eight organisations that provide services and supports to people who are experiencing grief and loss will be profiled. Each week, an information sheet, promotional video and other helpful resources will be released. There will also be materials that you can use on your social media channels. See below for social media assets and videos. Please share on social media / circulate with your contacts as appropriate.
Partner Pack : Click here to access the partner pack that gives you an overview of the campaign and the organisations that will be profiled.
Week 1 : Irish Hospice Foundation
To access the information sheet on the IHF, click here.
To access Week 1 Social Media Assets, click here.
To access Week 1 video, click here
Week 2 : Anam Cara
To access the information sheet on Anam Cara, click here
To access Week 2 Social Media Assets, click here
Week 3 : Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN)
To access the information sheet on the ICBN, click here
To access Week 3 Social Media Assets, click here
To access Week 3 Video and Information, click here
Week 4 : Rainbows
To access the information sheet on Rainbows, click here
To access Week 4 Social Media Assets, click here
To access Week 4 Rainbows Video, click here
To access Week 4 Rainbows Info Sheet, click here
Week 5 : Barnardos
To access the information sheet on teenage grief, click here
To access Week 5 Social Media Assets, click here
To access Week 5 Video, click here
To access Week 5 Assets, click here
To access Facebook asset, click here
To access Twitter asset, click here
Week 6 : HSE Bereavement Counselling Service
To access Week 6 Information Sheet, click here.
To access Week 6 Resource Links, click here.
To access Week 6 Traumatic Bereavement Video, click here
To access Week 6, Suicide Bereavement Survey, click here
Week 7 : Pieta
To access Week 7 Information Sheet, click here
To access Week 7 Social Media Assets, click here
To access Week 7 Video, click here
To access Week 7 Services Information Sheet and Suicide Bereavement Survey, click here.
To access information on Bereavement Supports and Services, click here
Week 8 : Cancer Support Services in the South East
Cancer Bereavement #HereForYouSouthEast
Bereavement Support Services #HereForYouSouthEast
Bereavement Support
The Irish Hospice Foundation have launched a free bereavement resource pack. Click here to access the pack.
The National Suicide Bereavement Support Guide "You Are Not Alone" has been launched. You can access the guide here.
The following resources may also be useful: