Young Knocknaheeny Launch “Learning Together” Report in Cork

CEO Maeve Hurley was delighted to attend the launch of Young Knocknaheeny’s “Learning Together” report on the 14th of September. A collaboration between UCC, Young Knocknaheeny and all major stakeholders, this report gives an evaluation of Young Knocknaheeny’s Area Based Childhood Programme between 2015 and 2017.

Taking place in St. Peter’s on North Main Street in Cork, Lord Mayor of Cork City, Cllr. Mick Finn started off proceedings with an  opening address before Dr. Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children, officially launched the report. Between the beginning of 2015 and the end of 2016, Young Knocknahenny’s Area Based Childhood Programme has helped 5,500 children and families and nearly 500 staff of over 40 organisations have benefited from the programme. To represent this, children and parents and staff of Holyhill Knocknaheeny Family Centre too came together to give a presentation to Dr. Niall Muldoon and also got to meet with Lord Mayor Cllr Mick Finn.

This launch brought together everyone who was involved in the YK programme and acknowledged their incredibly valuable contribution and participation over the years. The report helps shine some light on innovative prevention and early intervention practice taking place across Cork. Further focus too is placed on what is required to ensure that all children get the best possible start to their lives with regard to the likes of relationships, learning, health and well being.

The report finds that the key factor in child development is the quality of their first relationships such as with parents, early childhood educators, public health nurses and teachers. Much like we at Ag Eisteacht do, Young Knocknaheeny took a relational approach to improving the outcomes for children,engaging with hundreds of people to bring about change to the way they can work with children, families and one another.

We at Ag Eisteacht have studied this report with great interest and wish Young Knocknaheeny all the best in their future endeavours.

For more information on Young Knocknaheeny see youngknocknaheeny.ie