Crokepark Conference Centre Wednesday 23rd June 2010

On the 23rd of June 9 young people from Sphere 17, the Youth Health Coordinator, Marion and Youth Worker Claire made their way to the plush surroundings of the Croke Park Conference centre. 9 excited young people arrived and took in the amazing views of Dublin and Croke Park itself before settling into the day.

Sphere 17 was there among many other Youth Services such as The Base from Ballyfermot and Youthreach from various parts of Dublin. The day began with a welcome by Ms Mairead Lyons Head of Cancer services and an introduction to a Youth led initiative called X-HALE, which aims to highlight the harmful and addictive effects of smoking to young people.

The Minister for Health Promotion, Aine Brady launched the conference and this was followed by an interesting presentation from Dr Crawford Moodie on how the tobacco industry market to young people. The group was then treated to the inspirational speech by a young man called Mark Scanlon who holds a world record in marathon running. His record was inspired when his father died from cancer. This was then followed by questions from the floor.

Following a tasty healthy lunch the group were broken up into their workshops and this is where our young people really shone. The workshops explored different aspects of tobacco use and encouraged discussion around the health impacts, the financial impacts and peer pressure. This was done through comedy and facilitated by young people.

The final part of the day involved feeding back to the group as a whole in the conference room. Sphere 17 young people did us proud and showed themselves to be strong confident young people who make informed choices for their own lives. Everyone in the conference knew Sphere 17 “were in da house”.

Overall, the young people appeared to really enjoy the day. They made new friends, had fun and showed a mature and informed attitude about the health risks from smoking. Better than that, they are taking home the message to their friends and family. They felt the best part of the day was the workshops which was great fun and enjoyed the feedback and meeting new people. An exhausted, but happy 9 young people made their way back to Sphere17.

Would they do it again?...Definitely!!!!!

Many thanks to:
The young people of Sphere 17 who are;
Nikita Maguire, Nicole Goulding, Jessica Quinn, Emma Brown, Lynn Rock, Angela Rock, Simone Byrne, Jessica Curley and Lara Horan

Siobhan Smyth Irish Cancer Society