CARL Research Reports 2016

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    An exploration of the benefits of after-school club for children, focusing on their emotional and social development
    (Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2016-05) Lacey, Terri; Rice, Rachel; Before 5 Family Centre; Civil Society Organization
    This study is a Community-Academic Research Links (CARL) project managed between Before 5 Family Centre, UCC Applied Social Studies Department and the researcher. The aim of the research is to explore the benefits of afterschool club, focusing on children’s social and emotional development. Through a qualitative approach seven interviews were used to examine and analyse parents, staff and school liaisons officer’s perspectives of afterschool club. Literature reviewed revealed that children attending afterschool programmes reap multiple benefits; some areas of development include increased academic achievement, developing peer relationships and increased self-confidence. This evidenced-based research study found that children attending afterschool club demonstrated a positive change in their behaviour, formed new peer relationships, emotional competence and increased social development. The foundations and most influencing factor to these benefits are the positive interactions and attachments children have experienced with staff. As a social work student this study recognises that afterschool services have potentially a significant role to play in families, schools and community services. It is essential to adopt policy implementation, to ensure quality, better outcomes and brighter futures for children.
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    Feasability study for Lions Youth Centre Community Café
    (Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2016-07) O'Donovan, Conor; Scannell, Conor; Keane, Emma; Lordan, Seán; Yan, Ruiqian; Bresnan, Peter; O'Callaghan, Steve; Carrigaline Lions Youth Centre Project; Civil Society Organization
    Carrigaline Lions Youth Centre opened its doors in December 2015. It is a state of the art building that aims to provide a safe place for the youth of Carrigaline. The objective of this research project is to assess the feasibility of opening a community café located in the Carrigaline Lions Community Youth Centre. The café’s mission is to train and provide work experience and employment to young people from the Carrigaline area who have intellectual disabilities which will help them to develop their confidence and independence in the workplace. Having conducted an assessment of consumer demand, the competitors in the area and community support for the café enterprise we concluded that there is a demand for a social enterprise of this kind. We outlined the potential consumer offering based on survey results and a competitor analysis.
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    Another side to their story: including people with Down syndrome in an initial exploration of the social fabric of their emotional well-being
    (Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2016-05-03) Dunphy, Sarah; Sapouna, Lydia; Down Syndrome Cork; Civil Society Organization
    The project ran as part of the Community Academic Research Links CARL programme in University College Cork. Down Syndrome Cork were the community organisation. They provide support and services to adults and children with Down syndrome and their families in Cork city and county. The intended participants of the inclusive qualitative research study were members of Down Syndrome Cork. The organisation raised the topic of mental health for adults with Down syndrome in light of anecdotal evidence of poor mental health for some of their members. The project was then developed through a consultative process and approved by the board of Down Syndrome Cork.
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    Living with post-natal depression: an exploration of the experience of fathers whose partners suffer from post-natal depression
    (Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2016-04-21) Ryan, Eadaoin; Sammon, Caroline; Bantry White, Eleanor; O'Gorman, Fiona; Postnatal Depression Ireland; Civil Society Organization
    The experience of maternal post-natal depression in mothers has been one of the most extensively researched areas of developmental psychopathology, however knowledge relating this event for fathers can be particularly limited (Beestin et al, 2014). The increased recognition of post-natal depression being a product of psychosocial factors equally suggests the risk factors this may pose to fathers during the period following child birth. Through the completion of a literature review and semi structured interviews with five fathers who experienced or are experiencing their partners post-natal depression, this study endeavors to explore the lived experience of fathers who endure this event. The story told by the participant’s features feelings of demoralisation by health care professionals, with their anxieties and feelings disenfranchised from the overall experience of their partners post-natal depression. The study reveals the viewpoints of fathers on the factors which impact on their ability to support their partner with their condition. By exploring this lived reality of fathers, a valuable and unique representation of their experience has been gained.
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    A case study evaluation of a drugs education awareness program delivered by the Togher Link-Up Project to a girls’ secondary school in the south side of Cork city
    (Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2016-04) Riordan, Robert; Leahy, Pat; Togher Link-Up; Civil Society Organization
    The focus of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness and efficacy of a preventative drugs awareness program that has been delivered to an all-girls secondary school in the south side of Cork city over the last six years. The programme has been delivered by ‘Togher Link-Up’, a local drugs awareness and outreach group based in the above-mentioned catchment area of Cork city. It was the group’s hope to evaluate the effectiveness and efficacy of the programme as this year’s sixth years (2016) are the first group to have completed a full-cycle of same. The programme was delivered to students throughout the six years of secondary school, this consistency over a substantial period of time being its unique feature. As such, research with this year’s sixth years presented an invaluable opportunity for evaluating the programme.