Advanced Applied Social Studies Class organise Virtual ‘Wish for Well-being’ Event and fundraise over €200 for Make-A-Wish, Ireland

The Advanced Applied Social Studies group currently studying at Monaghan Institute planned and organised a successful virtual Wish for Well-being event for all staff and learners of MI. The class group would like to thank each person who attended this virtual lunch-time event on Monday the 15^th of March 2021. A donorbox was set up in advance for the selected charity of Make-A-Wish, Ireland and individuals could donate directly to the charity.  “Students are coming together to organise this wellbeing event for YOU as a MI Learner or MI Staff member, while also raising money for this very worthy cause. We wish to Thank you for your support.” Level 6 Advanced Applied Social Studies Group

The online virtual event started with a general introduction and stating a little bit of information about the chosen charity. This was followed by a ‘Step into Spring’ session which provided some really useful gardening tips. From this, listeners gained information of different websites for gardening tips and some information was given about Monaghan tidy towns and the mental health benefits that we can achieve from participating in personal gardening and community gardening.

The next session involved the guest speaker for the event Mairead Flynn. Mairead is a yoga and mindfulness instructor, stress management therapist and trauma therapist as well as a tutor for CMETB. Mairead can be contacted via her email Maireadflynn8@gmail.com. In this session she presented the benefits of mindfulness and this was then followed by a short practice demonstration of ‘Living in the Moment.’

Feeling relaxed from Máiréad’s session, the event then moved on to another presentation of the Wim Hoff breathing techniques. This provided useful tips on the proper breathing techniques that develops resilience and general good health. The ‘WimHof method’ can be downloaded from his website and as an App.

Following the event, the class received really positive feedback from staff and learners alike. From the generous donations, it raised a massive €203.33, so the class group were very pleased with this. These donations will help Make-A-Wish grants wishes for life threatening medical conditions, such as cancer/heart conditions and cystic fibrosis. No two wishes are alike, because no two sick children are alike – from the humble to the seemingly impossible! Since 1992, Make-A-Wish has granted wishes for more than 2,600 brave children across Ireland. A wish granted is true magic for the child, providing respite from their normal routines of hospitals, doctors and treatment. A wish granted provides joy and hope for the children and their families and can create lasting memories of happier times. Make-A-Wish Ireland does not receive any government funding and relies generosity of the Irish public to continue granting wishes.

The class group would like to thank Dr. Sinead Corrigan their Personal Professional Development Tutor, their fellow class-mates and all at Monaghan Institute who made this online event a great success. An opportunity was also made available to staff and learners who were unable attend, could watch the recording and benefit from these really useful well-being tips in difficult Covid19 times.