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Standing: Dr. Paula Carroll, Rosie Donnelly, Dr. Maria Murphy-Griffin, Gillian Stewart, Mairead Barry
Seated: Majella Healy (Retired), Beatrice Barry-Murphy Honorary Fellow (advisor), Dr. Niamh Murphy
Missing from photo: Dr. Maeve O'Grady and Dr. Aoife Lane (Head of Department).


Beatrice Barry–Murphy Honorary Fellow of WIT (Advisor)

SETU Waterford is honoured to have Beatrice Barry-Murphy as advisor to the team involved in ‘Facilitation Skills for Promoting Health and Well Being’. She has been involved in SPHE since 1991. In her role as Senior Health Promotion Officer in the HSE Beatrice played a pivotal role in the upgrade of the Extra Mural Cert in SPHE to the Higher Diploma (HDip) in SPHE and Master of Arts (MA) in SPHE and was the key person in developing and enhancing the partnership between SETU Waterford and the HSE.  In her role as Senior Health Promotion officer within the HSE from 1998 – 2013 she has played a vital part in the development in SPHE through:

  • Initiating the introduction of SPHE at Post-Primary level

  • Delivering  SPHE training to Post Primary teachers  from 1991 to 2009

  • Delivering Tutor Training and supervision for the Family Communications and Self-Esteem Programme

  • Training staff from SETU Waterford and HSE in SPHE (advanced modules)

  • Supervision of staff facilitating groups in the HSE

Along with her vast experience in Health Promotion Beatrice is also a qualified Gestalt Psychotherapist registered with the Irish Association for Counselling and Physiotherapy (IACP) and is a member of the Executive Board for the Irish Gestalt Centre.  Referring specifically to her involvement with SPHE in SETU Waterford it is hard to put into words all that Beatrice brings and offers. Not only was she co-course leader and facilitator on the SPHE programmes she was and still is a mentor and advisor to the rest of the team in SETU Waterford providing ongoing support for the work they do.

Beatrice started facilitating SPHE in 1991 and was course leader for the SPHE programmes since their inception in 2007. Her energy and enthusiasm and commitment to the area are as strong as ever. In her current role she advises the team about the direction and development of programmes and works in partnership with the team on the National Training Programmes. In 2009 she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by SETU Waterford in recognition of her contribution to the area of SPHE and the team are delighted that Beatrice continues to play a pivotal role to the development of this life enhancing work.

Mairead Barry


Mairead is co-course leader for the MA in advanced Facilitation Skills for Promoting Health and Well Being (formerly SPHE). She is involved in course development, teaching, facilitation and partnership work. She co-facilitated in the Personal Development modules on the HDip and Minor Award, has taught the Negotiated Learning Module, been involved in the Advanced Facilitation Skills modules and research postgraduate supervision on the MA. She co-supervises MA by research in the field of ‘Facilitation Skills for Health and Well Being’ at WIT.  Mairead lectures and facilitates in the area on two undergraduate programmes (Years 1, 2 and 4) and teaches in the area of Key Populations and Active Citizenship.  In January 2014 she co-facilitated the National Training Programme in Experiential Based Facilitation Training for SPHE and is member of the project team for the Facilitation Skills for Health and Well Being Training for youth workers that commenced in September 2015. Mairead is also committed to her ongoing personal development which supports her contribution at WIT.


Dr. Paula Carroll

Paula has been course leader for the SPHE programmes now known as Facilitation Skills for Promoting Health and Well Being since their inception in 2007.  She is involved in the strategic development of the Facilitation Skills for Promoting Health and Well Being programmes, maintaining essential partnerships, partnership building, collaboration and programme evaluation.   She co-facilitates the Personal Development modules on the HDip and has supervised on the Negotiated Learning and Dissertation modules on the MA.  As an active member of the Centre of Health Behaviour Research, she co-supervises MA by research in the field of ‘Facilitation Skills for Health and Well Being’ at WIT.  She has previously taught SPHE at undergraduate level (years 1- 4) and also teaches in the areas of Exercise Physiology and Research Methods.  In 2014 she co-facilitated the men’s health module of the National Training Programme in Experiential Based Facilitation Training for SPHE that is co-funded by the HSE and National Office for Suicide Prevention. She is also project lead and co-facilitator for the ‘Facilitation Skills for Health and Well Being Training’ of youth workers that commenced in September 2015.  Paula is also committed to her ongoing personal development which underpins her contribution at WIT.

 

Dr. Maeve Grady

RPL Group Mentor.  The developmental approach to recognition of prior learning (RPL) came about as a result of research with adult learners wishing to return to formal education. Many learners are rich in experiential learning but often lack certified learning, so the approach is an opportunity for learners who have been working, whether paid or unpaid, at a supervisory and responsible level – initiating a community project, for example, or training up and supporting staff in an organisation. Learners then organise these experiences in such a way to show that the level of learning arising from those experiences is equivalent to the level required to start on a particular programme. The process allows learners reflect on these achievements, practice transferring their skills into an academic context, understand the requirements of higher-level study, and check that applying for and participating in the Higher Diploma in SPHE is going to be a good step to take.  Maeve has been working in this area since 2000, and the RPL participants who have gone on to do the Higher Diploma are evidence that we can be confident in the process. Maeve also co-supervises MA by research in the field of ‘Facilitation Skills for Health and Well Being’ at WIT.

 

Gillian Stewart

Gillian has been facilitating SPHE within two undergraduate degree programmes where SPHE is taught in years 1 and 2 of the BA (Hons) in Health Promotion and the BA (Hons) in Exercise & Health Studies.  She has also been involved in the MA in SPHE and has co-facilitated on the ‘Negotiated Learning’ module. Gillian participates in regular up-skilling relevant to her work in SPHE. Gillian also teaches in the area of Mental Health and Wellness, Health Promotion in Key settings, Physical Health and Disease on the undergraduate programmes in the Department.



Rosie Donnelly

Rosie has been facilitating SPHE for over ten years primarily within two undergraduate degree programmes where SPHE is taught in years 1 and 2 of the BA (Hons) in Health Promotion and the BA (Hons) in Exercise & Health Studies.  She is involved with students in both their SPHE workshops and lectures. She has also been involved in the MA in SPHE and has co-facilitated on the ‘Negotiated Learning’ module. Rosie participates in regular up-skilling relevant to her work in SPHE. Currently Rosie is pursuing a PhD in Education in UCC where her area of research interest is in exploring SPHE in Higher Education, how effective is it and what value (if any) is attached to it.



Dr. Maria Murphy-Griffin

Maria been facilitating SPHE within two undergraduate degree programmes where SPHE is taught in years 1 and 2 of the BA (Hons) in Health Promotion and the BA (Hons) in Exercise & Health Studies.  She has also been involved in the MA in SPHE and has co-facilitated on the ‘Negotiated Learning’ module. Maria  also teaches in the area of Exercise Physiology on the undergraduate programmes in the Department.

 

Dr. Niamh Murphy

Niamh is a facilitator on undergraduate modules SPHE1 and 2, is module tutor for Health Promotion Determinants of Health module on SPHE courses and is has been involved in research postgraduate supervision on MA in SPHE. Niamh is course leader of the BA (Hons) in Health Promotion programme and is a member of the Centre for Health Behaviour Research at WIT.

 

Dr. Aoife Lane

Aoife delivered the Introduction to Health Research module on the HDip in SPHE, which provides students with an introduction to research methods and an understanding of academic literature specific to the area of SPHE.  Aoife completed an MA in Health Promotion before undertaking a PhD in the area of physical activity promotion for women and is a member of the Centre for Health Behaviour Research at WIT. Aoife has experience teaching research methods, statistics and epidemiology at undergraduate level, supervises research MA and in Jan 2016 took up the post of Head of Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science. 

What is Facilitation Skills for Promoting Health and Well Being?

There are significant social and personal benefits to be made by empowering ourselves to approach our own lives, health and wellbeing from a proactive, liberating and educated perspective. Quite simply, the State will save significantly in financial and human terms if we can educate our population (ourselves) to live healthier lives. It is now widely recognised that knowledge alone will not change health behaviour. Education for transformation happens most effectively using experiential, participative methodologies, often in a group setting. This type of education is the cornerstone of programmes in facilitation skills for promoting health and well-being in WIT.

Facilitation skills for promoting health and well-being is required in many sectors of society, for example, youth workers and teachers need to be skilled to connect in a meaningful way with young people particularly in relation to engagement about health and wellbeing related issues. Similarly, trained individuals are needed to facilitate groups within other settings, such as in the health services, community settings, youth services, and non-governmental organisations. We hold that this subject cannot adequately be learned out of a book. Methodology is of the essence; that is to say, ‘the process is the learning’.  This way of learning will also support those that hold positions whereby they have to manage a team or group.

Facilitation skills for promoting health and well-being is a holistic model of health education. The social, spiritual, emotional, physical, mental and sexual dimensions of the person need to be acknowledged, addressed and included in any health education programme. The traditional educational methodology, the ‘talk and chalk method’, is not sufficient for the experiential learning required. Participation in the group process and the supported focus on ‘self-reflective learning’ encourages participants to develop their critical ability to reflect on their actions, behaviours and life choices. This developed self-reflective ability is employed as a central tool in encouraging participants to develop alternative, liberating and more ‘healthy’ choices.

The words, ‘health’ and ‘wholeness’ derive from the same root. The search for health and wellbeing is more than an effort to avoid or deal with illness, (mental, physical or emotional). It is a paradigm shift that involves individuals, families and civic society coming together in search of a new harmony and understanding. To date our joint approach to health care is constantly reactive rather than proactive, yet we strongly proclaim the mantra, ‘prevention is better than cure’.

National Office for Health Promotion & Improvement, Health and Wellbeing Division in the Health Service Executive

The HSE has supported the delivery of SPHE since 1988.  The partnership between SETU Waterford and the National Office for Health Promotion & Improvement, Health and Wellbeing Division in the HSE was formalised in 1993 with the accreditation of the then Extra Mural Certificate in SPHE (1993-2007). The development of the HDip and SPHE was a joint venture; all of the SPHE postgraduate programmes are co-delivered by SETU Waterford and HSE staff (2007 to date).  In addition, the HSE representative supervises the SETU Waterford SPHE team members and supports the delivery and accreditation of the RPL SPHE programmes. Through joint representation on the SPHE Management Committee, a key function of the partnership is to continue to develop and enhance the SPHE programmes both regionally and nationally.

See the Health Promotion website here www.healthpromotion.ie
See the HSE website here www.hse.ie


National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP)
In 2013, the HSE-WIT partnership approached the NOSP to support the ‘Experiential Based Facilitation Training for SPHE’ project.  To date, they  have agreed to co-fund the delivery of one programme for Trainers.

See the National Office for Suicide Prevention website here www.nosp.ie
 

Men’s Development Network (MDN) 
The MDN is a developmental and consultative organisation that works on four levels; locally, regionally, nationally and internationally to improve the lives of men and boys living in Ireland.  Part of the focus of the ‘Experiential Based Facilitation Training for SPHE’ is ‘Young Men and Gender’ and how to use SPHE effectively to develop emotional intelligence among young men.  The Men’s Health Co-ordinator of the MDN will work with SETU Waterford and the HSE in the delivery of this aspect of the training and will be available to support Trainers in the delivery of the programme.

See the Mens Network website here www.mensnetwork.ie


 

The Social and Health Education Project (SHEP) is a not-for-profit, community-based training and development organisation established in 1974. Their key areas of work include:
A unique training programme based on experiential group work approaches:

  • Low-cost counselling

  • Advocacy

  • Providing specialist support to community based organisations

  • International partnership


SHEP’s unique core Training Programme comprises five main elements:

  1. Foundation-level Training

  2. Introductory Facilitation Training

  3. Specialised Practitioner Training

  4. Additional Accredited Training

  5. Continuing Personal Development


In 2011 SHEP approached the SPHE team to explore the possibility of an accreditation option for their graduates. In 2013 SETU Waterford commenced a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Process for the Higher Diploma (HDip) in Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) designed specifically for SHEP students who have completed both the Certificate in Personal Development and the Certificate in Facilitation and have received a recommendation from their tutors to advance to ‘Specialised Practitioner Training Courses’. Having completed both Certificates and received this recommendation (and in many cases have completed further specialised training) these SHEP participants have no accredited academic qualification to represent their achievement. This prior learning will be assessed using a tailored RPL process.  Students who pass this RPL process may then be awarded a Higher Diploma in Social Personal and Health Education.

See the SHEP website here www.socialandhealth.com

Facilitation skills for Health and Well Being Research at WIT

Research Work

“An exploration of the sustainability of facilitation skills for health and well-being training in the out of school sector” [MA student Lisa Harold]

‘Experiential Based Facilitation Training for SPHE’ [Collaborative work between the project team in SETU Waterford and Patricia Mannix-McNamara, UL]

Evaluation Work

1. Evaluation of the Extra Mural Certificate Course in Social Personal and Health Education, Health Service Executive, South Eastern Area, Produced by Siobhan McGrory, (2007)
2. In-house evaluation of programmes from 2000-2013

MA in SPHE Thesis Titles

1. Meditation and Learning in a Rural Primary School in Ireland, (2009), Sean O' hAonghusa
2. An evaluation of a parenting programme: Family communication and self-esteem, (2009), Olive Fanning
3. The impact of participation in an after school drama programme on the personal and social development, (2009), Corinna Quillinan
4. An investigation of school children's perceptions of the school curriculum and modes of delivery and and assessment with respect to their multiple intelligence profile, (2009), Karen Judith Keogh
5. A study of the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of post primary students in Waterford City with respect to sexual activity, smoking, drug and alcohol use, (2009), Stephanie Flannery

Conferences and Events

Barry, M., Carroll, P., Barry Murphy, B., Brennan, L., Trainers Programme in Experiential Based Facilitation Training for Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE), SPHE Network Conference, Dublin.  Oct 2014 [Oral]

Barry, M., Summary of practice-based experience of delivering SPHE in the Department of Health Sport and Exercise Science, WIT, 4th Schools for Health Europe International Summer School. Limerick. June 2014 [Oral]

Carroll P., Fanning O., Barry-Murphy B., Barry M., Family Communications and Self Esteem (FCSE): An experientially facilitated parenting programme, Health Promotion Summer School. Galway. June 2014 [Poster]

"I signed up for SPHE because I wanted to work in the area of group facilitation - I did not expect it to fundamentally change my life!  The experiential learning method used provided invaluable lessons for me, much more real and tangible than being taught from a book.  I learned about group facilitation by being part of a group, by  experiencing first-hand the stages of group formation, I gained insights into how I operate within a group through having an opportunity to be both the facilitator and the participant.  I learned how to manage conflict safely with the expert support of our two wonderful facilitators.  The biggest lessons for me were about myself, identifying my behaviours good and not so good; acknowledging and owning the choices I’ve made in my life and seeing how my relationship with myself affects everything and everyone around me. The course supported me to identify those behaviours I didn’t like and to begin to change them.  I did all this with the support and friendship of those I met on the course; I can honestly say that I have made some lifelong friends through SPHE.  Since the course I’ve gone on to start my own consultancy business and I credit SPHE with giving me the confidence I needed to get me started.”

Sinead Byrne, HDip in SPHE (Manager, HSE)

 

“I loved the HDip in SPHE.  The whole year was a wonderful opportunity to discover truths about myself in a safe and professional environment.   I was lucky to share very   special times with a group who have become lifelong friends. The support and guidance from all the tutors was exceptional and the opportunity to study as a mature student, in my own time was invaluable. Our residential weekends were an experience I will always treasure. I have learned new tools which are so helpful in my work and the beauty of it all is that I now have work colleagues who have completed the same studies who understand the value of real facilitation skills.  I am amazed that this course is not compulsory for all school teachers as it is of exceptional standard. It gave me confidence to try new approaches and to trust the wisdom that is in each person; not just in my work but in every day life.  If I had my way everyone would study SPHE in WIT.”

Alex Morahan, HDip in SPHE (Development Worker)
 

 

“The HDip in SPHE gave me a real opportunity to have an invaluable learning experience to develop both personally and professionally. The wealth of expertise in the delivery of this course allowed me to fully engage in the group work throughout the interesting variety of workshops. SPHE has taken me on a phenomenal journey where I have gained great confidence in my communication and facilitation skills. Thanks to this course I have a greater ability to deepen relationships with family and friends, colleagues and clients and most importantly with myself! SPHE is for all walks of life and I’m delighted that I invested in this course.”

Jessica Statham, HDip in SPHE (Social Care Worker, Tutor)

 


 

"When I was asked to write a testimonial for the Minor Award in SPHE, I thought a lot about what I was going to say about it. However, the truth is, I have no words that can adequately describe what the Minor Award has meant to me...All I can say, is that, having completed the H Dip in SPHE, it was truly "the cherry on the cake"! It "bedded in" the H Dip and used it as a foundation to built upon. It has expanded and enhanced me both personally and professionally. I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to work at this level in such a safe and supportive environment, and to have this work academically accredited at level 9."

Ann Rackard, Minor Award in SPHE ( Level 9)

If you have a query about any aspect of SPHE at SETU Waterford please contact the course leaders:

Mairead Barry [email protected]  or

Dr. Paula Carroll [email protected]

SPHE at WIT

Group Photo from Conferring Ceremony 2014