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SpunOut.ie Blog
September, 2007
Social Entrepreneurs and the meaning of madness
Blog by SpunOut.ie Founder Ruairí McKiernan.
It can be pretty intense work, running a national youth initiative and being involved in serious issues like mental health and suicide.
While everyone here at SpunOut.ie takes our work very seriously, we're also prone to a bit of madness now and then.
Well, perhaps I should speak for myself…
I recently took part in a 2-day Social Entrepreneurs Ireland residential at NUIG Maynooth. The residential featured workshops, talks, discussion and debate. Myself and Paul Kelly from Console presented on the recent Tough Times campaign and we heard from people like Mary Davis of Special Olympics Ireland and the Task Force on Active Citizenship, Brody Sweeney from O'Brien's Sandwich bars and other high flyers from the world of business and community work.
Also there was John McCarthy, one of the chief agitators in terms of mental health reform in Ireland, and a pretty controversial one at that! John, a Board member of Concern Worldwide and a former psychiatric patient, runs a project called Mental Health and The Law. He recently ran as a candidate in the general election in Cork.
Pictured here is myself and John and my response to the oh so serious question of 'what motivates you to work for social change?'.
By: Ruairí McKiernan
John McCarthy featured in 'The Naked Election', on Tuesday Sept. 18th on RTE One Television.
Photo by Clare Mulvany
www.exceptional-lives.blogspot.com
www.flickr.com/photos/cmulvany
Get involved opportunities
SpunOut.ie blog: Got a story to tell or interested in becoming a forum modd?!
Help make SpunOut.ie even bigger and better! We're currently looking for volunteers to get involved with the website in the following ways:
Forum moderators
We are currently looking for new moderators for the SpunOut.ie discussion forums. Moderators help SpunOut.ie staff ensure that the forums are a friendly and non-judgemental space for young people. If you are interested in volunteering your time and you are patient and open minded, then contact anna@spunout.ie for further information.
Inspire others
Have you done something you're proud of? Or perhaps you made a difference in your community and want to tell others about it and inspire them to do the same? Email your story to anna@spunout.ie
True life
Do you want to share a true life story that might help others? If so we want to hear about it! We publish true life stories that help demystify the problems that young people deal with and that encourage young people to think positively and ask for support if and when they need it. Email your story to anna@spunout.ie
What happens if I get involved?
Getting involved with SpunOut.ie can mean telling us what you think of the website, writing articles or true life stories, interviewing people, taking part in SpunOut.ie competitions, having your say on the forum, promoting the website and much more.
Your level of involvement is up to you- there's no pressure or expectations!
Find out more about getting involved with SpunOut.ie
September 10th marks World Suicide Prevention Day
SpunOut.ie joins worldwide effort to address suicide.
As part of our efforts in addressing the problem of suicide in Irish society, SpunOut.ie will be represented at vigils in Galway, Letterkenny and Dublin as well as on various media outlets throughout the day.
Youth Editor Ian Howley who has a personal experience of attempting suicide will speak about his story on TV3’s Ireland AM programme at 8.40am.
Information on vigils from the Turning the Tide on Suicide Organisation:
"Approximately 600 people die by suicide annually in Ireland. It is a tragedy that devastates families and touches every community.
For the last 3 years, the 3Ts has held a Candlelight Vigil in Dublin to mark World Suicide Prevention Day and this year we are pleased to announce that for World Suicide Prevention Day 2007, we will expand this to hold Candlelight Vigils locally in Galway, Donegal, Wexford and Dublin.
Our Suicide Prevention Candlelight Vigils are for all who have lost family, colleagues and friends through suicide to gather, to light a candle and remember lost loved ones. The vigils also serve to highlight the support of the wider community with special guest speakers, music and a minute’s silence.
3Ts invite you to join us at a choice of venues around the country:
World Suicide Prevention Day Monday 10th September 2007
- Dublin: Bank of Ireland (Forecourt), College Green, Dublin 2 8.00pm to 9.00
- Galway: St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, Market Street, Galway 8.00pm to 9.00pm
- Donegal: Market Square, Letterkenny 9.00pm to 10.00pm
- Wednesday, 12th September 2007
Wexford: The Bull Ring, Wexford 8.00pm to 9.00pm
Admission is free and all are welcome. Candles are supplied."
SpunOut.ie Blog: Electric Picnic
Exactly what the doctor ordered.
SpunOut.ie Office Manager, Susie Quirke relives Electric Picnic for your benefit!
Every nook and cranny you stumble upon feels like entering another mystical, supernatural wonderland. Nothing is spared. Sparkling fairy lights, a giant ferris wheel, ice cream cones, a secret village in the woods, the chapel, giant coloured tents filled with everything you could wish for, not to mention so much kicking music at every turn all the day long.
Loaded up with my two essentials, wellies and legwarmers, it felt as if I was transported back to my childhood for three gorgeous days.
With no responsibilities on my shoulders I took off on a wandering escapade meeting beautiful people and seeing sights to fuel my imagination.
The marvelous thing is opening up the zip of your tent in the morning, gasping for air of course, and seeing all of your best friends surrounding you, knowing that chats and laughter will chase you throughout the day. What else can you possibly ask for? Really though?!
I have come back from Electric Picnic with a fresh fire in my belly for life and it’s exactly what the doctor ordered.
By Susie Q
