All About Cork: Ballyphehane Change Café initiative hailed a success

THE organisers of a new women’s health initiative have hailed the success of the first event in Ballyphehane.

The Change Café is a new initiative in Ballyphehane, where women can find out more about menopause and women’s health.

The Café runs on the second Tuesday of every month from 7pm to 9pm, and will feature talks and workshops given by experts in the area of women’s health and menopause.

It is open to all and is free to attend, with refreshments provided and the opportunity to ask questions and to share experiences.

The Change Café is a collaboration between the Cork South Community Work Department HSE, Ballyphehane Togher Community Development Project CLG, the Ballyphehane/ Togher Adult Education Provision CETB and Cork City Partnership CLG.

On Tuesday, May 14, the café hosted a workshop with Catherine O’Keeffe, a menopause workplace consultant, founder of Wellness Warrior, and creator of the Menopause Success Summit.

Ms O’Keeffe is the author of the best seller All You Need to Know About Menopause, and hosts Ireland’s only podcast dedicated to menopause, ‘Menopause Uprising’.

Speaking to The Echo, a spokesperson for the initiative said the event was a success.

“The workshop was fully attended and participants were able to access Catherine’s book. We would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the generous donation from The Hospital Saturday Fund, without which none of this would be possible."

“The free café will continue to run on the second Tuesday of every month and will focus on talks and workshops by people with specialist knowledge in the area of health and menopause,” she added.

There will also be time to have cuppas and chats, ask questions and share experiences, with the idea to form new connections and friendships.

“This initiative is in response to the needs of women in our community who are looking for resources and information.

“We want to empower women to support each other and to just talk about menopause and other issues affecting them and to reassure them about their feelings, concerns, issues, fears, anxieties as well as explore options and therapies available.”

Organisers of women’s health initiative delighted with first event

Bike maintenance workshop is a hit

A Bike maintenance workshop held in Ballyphehane was praised as a success by organisers, Ballyphehane Tidy Towns.

The workshop, held in recent weeks, gave people the opportunity to learn more about bike maintenance and DIY.

In a statement, Ballyphehane Tidy Towns said:

“Our bike maintenance workshop was a hit, with folks getting their wheels fixed and picking up some DIY bike-fixing skills along the way!

Thanks to the folks at Cork Community Bikes and Cork Sports Partnership. While they were out and about, volunteers from Ballyphehane Tidy Towns organised a clean-up of Tory Top Road.

“Tory Top Road got a much-needed sweep and weed, and our beloved parklet got some TLC with a fresh compost boost and thorough weeding,” the group added.

“Let’s keep the momentum going! If you are a household or a business, if you have 10 minutes to spare, we would greatly appreciate if you could keep your own area spick and span.”

Tidy Towns set for judging day

Volunteers from Togher Tidy Towns have been out in force preparing to welcome judges from the national Tidy Towns competition.

In a statement, the group said: “Togher volunteers were out in force today with judging day drawing closer. We ask everyone and businesses to please look after outside their own building. It will make a big difference. Thank you.”

Tidy Towns group thanks volunteers and supporters

Ballyphehane Tidy Towns submitted its application for the 2024 Tidy Towns Ireland competition in recent days.

The group thanked volunteers and supporters for their help in ensuring Ballyphehane looks its very best ahead of the competition.

In a statement after submitting its application, Ballyphehane Tidy Towns said: “A few late nights and early mornings to get the final edits done were worth it. Seeing all we have accomplished on paper even shocked us. Thank you to everyone, volunteers big and small, who gave us some precious free time. We make a great team, from litter picking, major projects, youth hubs and getting stuck in — we do it all. Thank you to every local business and community group who has supported us and our work, we couldn’t do it without your support. Best of luck to our neighbouring tidy town crews!”

Fourth green flag for school

A local secondary school has been awarded its fourth green flag for its environmental efforts. An Taisce’s green flag initiative rewards schools for their efforts in the area of sustainability.

In a statement after receiving its latest flag, the school said: “We’ve been awarded our fourth Green Flag by An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland.”

Fourth green flag for school

Morning Star National School has expressed its delight at the news that Tony O’Donovan was named Cork Person of the Month for April.

In a statement, Morning Star National School said: “We were delighted to hear that our good friend Mr Tony O’ Donovan has won the Cork Person of the Month Award for April. A very appropriate month for Tony to win the award, as April is Autism Awareness Month and Tony has raised thousands over the years for children with additional needs and/or autism. 

Tony has raised over €70,000 over the past decade for individuals and schools, including Morning Star. 

"The trips and resources purchased as a result have made a massive difference for so many children. He begins his fundraising activities in January every year and we would encourage you all to donate what you can when the opportunity arises. "

"Tony’s work is a wonderful cause that makes such a direct, positive improvement in people’s lives. We are proud to have Tony in our community. He is an inspiration to us all and his award is long overdue and thoroughly deserved.”

Delight for award winner Regan gig at record store

A Local record store is preparing to host a critically acclaimed Irish songwriter for an intimate gig this weekend.

Niamh Regan will be promoting her sophomore album, Come As You Are at her gig at Music Zone on Saturday, June 1.

Released in the midst of the lockdown in 2020, her debut album Hemet announced her arrival and earned nominations for both the RTÉ Folk Awards and the Choice Awards Album of the Year.

Have Ballyphehane news? Email darragh.bermingham@theecho.ie