Aisling Centre patron Adrian Dunbar will celebrate 30 years of the charity’s work in promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in Fermanagh by speaking at the annual ‘Hope, Healing and Growth’ event at the start of January. Now in its third year, the annual event will take place at the Crest Centre, South West College on Saturday, January 4, 2020. During the event, Adrian will give a personal reflection on the theme of ‘Hope’.

He said: “For 30 years now, the Aisling Centre in Enniskillen has been providing hope, healing and growth to the people of Fermanagh. I am very proud to be associated with this wonderful work and I look forward to meeting everyone at the third annual ‘Hope, Healing and Growth’ conference on Saturday, January 4 in Enniskillen.”

Dr. Ann McDermott chairwoman of the Aisling Centre highlighted the growing success of the event and the momentum it was building in helping to inspire people in living life to the full and to support people in difficult times. She said: “The event will build on the successes of the last two years, presenting a programme of some of the most inspirational and motivational speakers on the island of Ireland.” Featuring a series of workshops and seminars running throughout the day, keynote speakers will include Declan Coyle whose ‘Green Platform’ work has helped transform countless lives with his approach to positivity and Gerry Farrell, Psychiatrist and lecturer, who helps people build the resilience necessary to manage tough times. Agnes Lunny, a native of Fermanagh and a leading voice on the island of Ireland for people with learning and intellectual disability, will share her personal insights on managing adversity, while Bridgeen Rea-Kaya a pioneer of mindfulness and mindful self-compassion work in Northern Ireland and TED x speaker, will present on the theme of the need for more compassion. The overall programme is a combination of authentic life stories of how people have thrived over adversity, with a focus on self-care and coping strategies supported by a focused ‘lifestyle’ element.

Sharing their life stories are Dr. Agata Stanek on coping with depression, tireless community champion Betty Leonard and a special showing of the recently launched poignant documentary by producer Fergus Cooper ‘The Quiet Shuffling of Feet,’ which tells the story of David Bolton, founding Director of the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation.

Back by popular demand is Karen Dwyer’s ‘How to be a Superhero’ workshop and Patrick Drury’s ‘Mind Mastery’ seminar. The award winning Wheelie Momma blogger recently turned children’s author, Sarah Griffiths focuses on how to tap into our limitless potential while Vivian McKinnon will inform and inspire on how to move from trauma to growth. The opportunity to consider aspects of our lifestyle include environmentalist Teresa O’Hare of the award winning, Orchard Acre Farm, looking at nature friendly food and sessions on mindfulness and yoga as self care. The day will also provide an opportunity to view exhibits created by local charities Action Mental Health and Fermanagh cancer survivorship group SWELL. All proceeds from the event will be used in support of the provision of local services.