Events on learning to talk to teenagers taking place around Cork 

A NEW series of events to support adults, parents and teachers on how best to understand and communicate with teenagers will be held in venues across county Cork this spring.

The GenZ events will complement the successful TeenTalk series, which is organised by Cork County Council and funded by Healthy Ireland through the Local Community Development Committees.

Speakers at the upcoming events in Charleville, Little Island and Bantry will address the most significant issues affecting young people today.

The GenZ series for parents and teachers will follow earlier events attended by transition year students from across Cork.

Commenting on the forthcoming GenZ events, Niall O’Callaghan of Teen Talk said the series is a great opportunity for parents to pick up tips on how best to deal with sensitive issues teenagers may face.

“The impact of the Teen Talk initiative has been hugely positive, with transition year students learning of the importance of speaking out when they face challenges. However, we realise that parents can sometimes struggle for the same reasons as their teenagers to effectively communicate on a range of topics.

“These evening events will help provide parents and teachers with the tools they need to explore with teenagers any complicated issues that arise,” he said.

Amongst those to address attendees will be Alicia O’Sullivan, a sixth-year student at Skibbereen Community School who was recently an Irish delegate at the UN Youth Climate Summit.

Also scheduled to speak is CyberTech Entrepreneur, Harry McCann; Youth Mental Health Advocate, Aleesha Weeigant; Dean O’Reilly from DCU’s LGBT society; Alan Young from LGBT Youth Scotland;

TJ Hourihan, a cyber/social media expert and Kirstyn Donoghue who will discuss the challenges faced by transgender and non-binary children.

The events will take place in Charleville on March 26, Little Island on March 31 and Bantry on April 2.

Tickets, which are free of charge, can be gotten from Eventbrite.