Yesterday, Shimna was represented at a conference organised by the suicide prevention charity, Lighthouse. The event, ‘Twenty Years of Learning’, is part of Suicide Awareness Week.
The conference was opened by Professor Sir Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, who emphasised the importance of giving young people the opportunity to discuss their feelings. Hosted by BBCs Tara Mills, the programme included contributions from Pat McGibbon, ex-Manchester Utd and Northern Ireland player, journalist and broadcaster Mark Robson and Niamh Brownlee, author of ‘Stuggling to Breathe’.
Ciaran Milligan, who leads Shimna’s own ground-breaking Resilience Programme, attended on behalf of the College, along with four students - Aurora Milligan, Jana Pobloth, Ruby Ferris and Sophie Waddell. The girls, who were invited along to sing, performed of ‘It’s Alright’ by Mother Mother.
Shortly afterwards, one of the attendees messaged the College:
“I just wanted to get in touch with you to pass on huge congratulations to the College on the performance four of your senior students gave this morning at the Lighthouse Conference in Belfast - they were simply amazing! Such wonderful talented ambassadors for the College - you should be so proud of them.”
Thank you to Lighthouse for inviting Shimna to take part.