Changing the future: experiencing adolescence in contemporary Ireland: sexual health and behaviour.

If we create the space in which children and young people can talk openly and in their own language even upon challenging subjects such as sex, then we are likely to learn more from what they tell usâ?T proposes the final UNICEF Ireland report which examines adolescent perspectives on sexual health and behaviour. Key findings in the report included: 63%, and 1 in 5 sixteen year old respondents, reported that they have had sex; 1 in 5 sexually active respondents reported that they did not use a condom the first time that they had sex; 2 in 5 girls who were sexually active reported that they had consumed alcohol before their first sexual experience, compared to 3 in 10 boys; The majority of respondents (54%) reported that they had watched pornography on the internet, and more than one third of the respondents who had watched pornography on the internet believed that it was accurate or educational; Only 1 in 5 respondents reported that they ever speak to their parents about sex. Noting â?~the broad spectrum from which young people living in Ireland draw down information about sexâ?T the UNICEF Ireland report concludes that â?~we must be sure that when a young person is making decisions about their sexual health and behaviour, every opportunity is afforded them in terms of open discussion, understanding, support, information and adviceâ?T Commenting on the Report, Amel Yucef a Youth Health Coordinator at the Base Youth Centre, Ballyfermot said â?oAs the participants in UNICEF Irelandâ?Ts survey have shown, many young people do not feel equipped with the information and support they need to make informed choices about their sexual health. Providing those supports is a priority for us at the Base.â? The Youth Health Programme, that Amel co-ordinates is a HSE funded initiative which was created to respond to the health needs of young people, as identified by the young people of the Dublin 10 area themselves. The Programme delivers community-based and youth-friendly health responses, based upon a harm-reduction model. The Youth Health Programme works towards building the capacity of young people to access health services, while also encouraging those services to deliver in an accessible and youth-friendly way.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Behaviour change at population, community and individual levels: NICE Public Health Guidance 6

This guidance is aimed at those responsible for helping people to change their behaviour to improve their health. This includes policy makers and those working in local authorities and the community and voluntary sectors. It gives advice on how to plan and run relevant initiatives. The recommendations include the following advice: base interventions on a proper assessment of the target group, where they are located and the behaviour which is to be changed: careful planning is the cornerstone of success  work with other organisations and the community itself to decide on and develop initiatives build on the skills and knowledge that already exists in the community, for example, by encouraging networks of people who can support each other take account of and resolve problems that prevent people changing their behaviour (for example, the costs involved in taking part in exercise programmes or buying fresh fruit and vegetables, or lack of knowledge about how to make changes) base all interventions on evidence of what works train staff to help people change their behaviour evaluate all interventions.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Essential community medicine

This textbook is a definitive guide to the complete spectrum of community medicine. The basic concepts are set out in a clear readable and concise way. The main types of health data are described, as are the principles of disease prevention and its main strategies.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

A Pedagogical approach of schistosomiasis an experience in health education in Minas Gerais, Brazil

The experience described here is part of an extensive program that aims to stimulate schools to develop health integrated projects from theme generators, i.e., themes that have a meaning for the community. It was developed in Jaboticatubas, a town in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, capital of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the focus was schistosomiasis. The selection was based on the expressive and historical prevalence of this disease in the county, which has been known as the "capital of schistosomiasis", in a national press release since the 1960's. Schistosomiasis is also a theme pointed out by teachers as requiring more information and methodologies to work with their students, most of them living in areas of high risk of transmission. In addition, during the last years, this disease has been transmitted silently through an increasing rural tourism in that region, requiring integrated and effective control actions. The developed strategy included four schools, whose teachers, students, and families took part in the process. It emphasizes in a critical pedagogy approach, which focuses on health issues as themes that may mobilize the school community and awake the population to a work which integrates environment, health, and citizenship. The results demonstrate that teachers and students not only acquired new knowledge and methodological skills, but also gained confidence in their ability to improve their health conditions. Thus, the project promotes a critical education that can result a more permanent effect on the control of schistosomiasis as well as other benefits for the schools and for the population.

Portland Row Community Café

Our Vision is that each individual accessing these service’s be provided with a choice of affordable, nutritious meals in a safe, warm and attractive environment.  We achieve this through the following best practice standards: – Quality service – Maintaining a high quality environment – The highest quality food standard (with choice of meals) Cafes are open to the public from 8am serving breakfast until 11.30 and lunch/dinner from 12-4pm. (open Monday – Friday) Telephone: (01) 8555577 Initiative Type Community Cafés Location Dublin 1

WALK Community Garden

WALK operate a Community Garden in Dublin 12 which promotes the growing of fresh fruit, vegetable, salad leaves and flowers which change seasonally. The garden helps create a sense of community and advocates the benefits of growing healthy food, environmental awareness and sustainability. It offers an opportunities for people to take part in hand-on, activity based learning with some formal training offered to local groups and individuals with varying levels of skill and ability. This outdoor space fosters an interest in growing and guides people in learning new skills which can be transferred to their own gardens or allotments. Dublin City Council Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Location Dublin 12 Funding Dublin City Council Partner Agencies Dublin City Council Dublin Mainstream Access Project Scoil Colm

Westside Community Garden

The New Community Garden is a community initiative aiming to promote social inclusion and peoples participation in the community. Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Location Galway

The Glen Community Garden

Community Health Workers are employed to improve the health and lifestyle of a community through a series of health focused initiatives that build on existing services and facilities. North Lee Community Work Department, HSE South Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Location Cork Funding North Lee Community Work Department, HSE South Partner Agencies HSE South North Lee Community Work Department

Portadown Blossom Surestart Community Food Initiative

A group devised by our families for our families. Southern Trust Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Armagh Target Groups Families Funding Southern Trust Partner Agencies Early Years

Sophia Housing Gardening Project

Sophia Housing Gardening Project was set up in 2008. The Gardening Project has enhanced the living environment for the tenants and creates a space where people can socialize and interact. DCC Community Development Section Lead Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Location Dublin 8 Target Groups Homeless people Funding DCC Community Development Section Lead

Kilkenny Allotments and Community Gardens Association

Our aim is to provide affordable sites for growing food across the city of Kilkenny and to provide education to families, individuals and community groups around growing food. Kilkenny Local Authorities Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Location Kilkenny Funding Kilkenny Local Authorities Partner Agencies Carlow Kilkenny Leader Partnership Future Proof Kilkenny GIY Kilkenny Local Authorities

Colin Glen Community Gardens and Allotments

This project forms part of Groundwork NIâ?Ts Sharing our Space programme, which aims to transform derelict, unwelcoming & underused sites into shared facilities. Peace III, SEUPB Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Location Antrim Funding Peace III, SEUPB Partner Agencies Colin Neighbourhood Partnership

Muck & Magic Community Garden

Sustainable organic vegetables, fruit and herb production for distribution to the participants of the community garden. All Age Groups, throughout the Ballymun community Global Action Plan Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Location Dublin 11 Funding Global Action Plan Partner Agencies Ballymun Regeneration Ltd.

Ballybeg Family Growing Project

Ballybeg Family Growing Project aims to engage families living in the Ballybeg estate to raise their awareness and knowledge of healthy eating by providing a practical skills-based education programme of growing and cooking, taking a developmental approach.     Part of theCFI Programme 2013-2015 Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Wicklow Target Groups Families Partner Agencies safefood

Musgrave Park Community Garden

Musgrave Park Community Garden includes a Community Garden Area, Group and Individual allotment plots. Musgrave Park, Stockmans Lane, Belfast, BT9. Conservation Volunteers NI Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Location Antrim Funding Conservation Volunteers NI Partner Agencies Public Health Agency