Former GAA star Oisin McConville shares experience of addiction with Derry pupils

The Old Library Trust, as part of their Community in Transition Project, hosted an event at Sean Dolan’s GAC last week when addiction was brought to the forefront through established sportsperson and former Armagh Gaelic player, Oisin McConville sharing his experiences.

Following on from last year’s successful event in highlighting the impact of addiction, the Old Library Trust aimed this year’s event at connecting and raising awareness with the local youth.

This saw an invitation to senior pupils from local secondary schools and further education colleges to come along to last Wednesday’s event.

Both the Old Library Trust and Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum were delighted to see the event received so well with local schools Foyle College, St Cecilia’s, Oakgrove Integrated, St Joseph’s Boys Schools, and the Steven Gerrard Academy all attending.

Speaking after the successful event, Julie White, project coordinator said: “The importance of these events is that they provide a safe environment to openly discuss and listen to the impact that poor mental health and addiction can have on an individual’s life, and by doing so, we can provide an opportunity for people to seek support.”

The project, was part of a health and wellbeing initiative led by the Old Library Trust’s Healthy Living Centre in Creggan, and partnered and supported by the Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum.

Staff from the Old Library Trust and the Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum pictured at Sean Dolan’s GAC before Wednesday’s ‘Impact of Addiction’ with Oisin McConville event. Included from left Mo Mahon, Kevin McGowan, Aisling Hutton, Gemma Attwood, The Executive Office, Julie White, Pete Simms, Conor Bradley, George McGowan and Jonathan Peberdy. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

The event was also funded by the Executive Office’s ‘Communities in Transition’ project.

Happy that the message got through to the students who attended, Julie added: “The initiative aimed to support communities to become more resilient by addressing a key issue associated with poor physical and mental health – Addiction – an issue that has been highlighted within the local area with negative impacts on individuals and families.

"I believe today’s event achieved this.”