Today on Morning Focus David Coleman, Clinical Psychologist and Broadcaster joined Gavin in studio to discuss how parents can help their children cope with anxiety.
David has recently created an online course for parents called ‘Scared Kids – Helping Children to Cope with Anxiety’. The new online course is written by David in collaboration with Anokha Learning. When kids get anxious they need us as adults to help them make sense of their worries and to give them the skills and strategies to cope with it. This course is designed to equip you to do just that!
This course is for anybody who either lives with children, cares for children or works with children. More information about the course can be found here on the Anokha Learning Website.
If you missed our interview with David, you can listen back below:
Before that, to begin the show, we discussed how Clare Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley has temporarily stepped down from his party’s front bench, after becoming embroiled in a Dáil voting controversy. It was found that votes were cast on his behalf in the Dáil last Thursday by party colleague, Niall Collins TD. Micheál Martin says he’s now asked both men to temporarily step aside from their front bench positions “without prejudice,” while the Ceann Comhairle has launched an investigation.
A similar controversy has erupted surrounding fellow FF TD Lisa Chambers, who says she inadvertently voted on behalf of Dara Calleary TD, but she did not correct the Dáil record. We heard from Kevin Doyle, Group Political Editor, Independent News and Media as he spoke to Gavin about the matter.
Next, Dr John Hillery, President of the College of Psychiatrists, Spanish Point joined Gavin on the line following the publication of his report: ‘‘Paying the Price: The Hidden Impact of Caring’. This report is the second one in its series undertaken by the College, Family Carers Ireland, UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems. The report documents how family carers are expected to fill substantial and significant service gaps in health and social care systems and the huge physical and psychological effect this has on them. Almost half of family carers regularly deal with abusive behaviour while a similar proportion say that no supports and services are available.
The full report is available here for more information.
If you missed this segment you can listen back below:
Next on Morning Focus, Peter Flanagan of Sinn Féin joined Gavin on air to discuss the change in strategy for the party in the next General Election. Cllr Mike McKee will not run, for health reasons, while Noeleen Moran has also been de-selected. Peter revealed that the party now anticipates that they will run one candidate in the next election.
Garda Niamh Browne of Ennis Garda Station joined Gavin in studio for this week’s Garda Focus slot.
Katherine Webster of the Conservation and Advocacy group at the Burren Ecotourism Network joined Gavin on-air ahead of the Burren Food Fayre taking place this Sunday (27th Oct).
Katherine told us all about the event which will see award-winning celebrity chef and author from Co Donegal, Brian McDermott as headliner. As part of the Taste the Island programme, The Burren Food Fayre will open its doors in the Pavillion in Lisdoonvarna from 12 noon to 5pm on Sunday 27th, with a range of Burren food producers exhibiting their produce, cooking demos and foodie talks. The Fayre entry is FREE of charge for all visitors on Sunday with a pre-fayre events taking place on the Friday and Saturday also.
To finish today’s Morning Focus Clare FM’s Darren Kelly joined Gavin in studio for a discussion on the latest national and local news in sport.
You can listen back below:
