The Drummer & The Keeper is an Irish film that tells the story of Gabriel, a young and angry rock and roll drummer who has just been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and Christopher, a 17 year old goalkeeper with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Gabriel and Christopher get off to a rocky start after a run in at ‘therapeutic football’, but as the story unfolds they develop a strong bond and a friendship that will change both of their lives. 

The film touches on important themes including substance abuse, medication, and mental illness. Gabriel's story explores what it’s like to live with Bipolar Disorder and the strain his psychotic and delusional episodes have on his family life. The Drummer & The Keeper also gives a window into life with Asperger’s Syndrome and the challenges Christopher faces as a teenager in a care home.

This is a touching and heartwarming story, written and directed by Irish singer/songwriter Nick Kelly, and starring a host of Irish talent including Dermot Murphy (Gabriel) and Jacob McCarthy (Christopher).

To be in with a chance to win, head over to our Facebook page to enter. 

You can pick up your own copy of The Drummer & The Keeper in stores now or watch On Demand. DVD stockists include: Supervalu, Golden Discs, Tower Records, Head, Eason, IFI, Light House, Amazon and ebuzz.ie. On demand viewing is available from: iTunes, Virgin Media, Volta, Google, BT, Vubiquity and Microsoft.

The Drummer & The Keeper is an Irish film that tells the story of Gabriel, a young and angry rock and roll drummer who has just been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and Christopher, a 17 year old goalkeeper with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Gabriel and Christopher get off to a rocky start after a run in at ‘therapeutic football’, but as the story unfolds they develop a strong bond and a friendship that will change both of their lives. 

The film touches on important themes including substance abuse, medication, and mental illness. Gabriel's story explores what it’s like to live with Bipolar Disorder and the strain his psychotic and delusional episodes have on his family life. The Drummer & The Keeper also gives a window into life with Asperger’s Syndrome and the challenges Christopher faces as a teenager in a care home.

This is a touching and heartwarming story, written and directed by Irish singer/songwriter Nick Kelly, and starring a host of Irish talent including Dermot Murphy (Gabriel) and Jacob McCarthy (Christopher).

To be in with a chance to win, head over to our Facebook page to enter. 

You can pick up your own copy of The Drummer & The Keeper in stores now or watch On Demand. DVD stockists include: Supervalu, Golden Discs, Tower Records, Head, Eason, IFI, Light House, Amazon and ebuzz.ie. On demand viewing is available from: iTunes, Virgin Media, Volta, Google, BT, Vubiquity and Microsoft.

An emergency rally is taking place on Monday, 20th November 2017 at 5:30pm organised by the Young, Paperless & Powerful campaign group to stand up for young undocumented migrants in America.

Young, Paperless & Powerful is a campaign group made up of undocumented young people aged 14-21 living in Ireland who joined to share their story and highlight the experience of young undocumented migrants in Ireland.

The Young, Paperless & Powerful group are urging the US Congress to pass the Dream Act, a piece of legislation that would save young undocumented immigrants from deportation. The Dream Act would give these young people a path to permanent residency and eventually citizenship.

At their solidarity rally on Monday, the group will be calling on Irish-American Congressman Pete King to support the Dream Act.

The group are inviting Irish people to stand with them in solidarity with undocumented young people in the US. They will be meeting on Monday at 5.30pm at the Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay in Dublin.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I find the idea that we are expected to decide what to do with the rest of our lives at age 17 or 18, a bit ridiculous. Not only that, but we’re also set a deadline, to rank in order of preference what we want to be doing and where we want to be for the next 3 or 4 years of our lives, before we even see our exam results.

Although it’s improving in more recent times, a further education option I feel is not advertised widely enough is the PLC (Post Leaving Certificate) option. These courses usually last a year, or sometimes two, and give an excellent foundation or idea of if the area is something you’d like to pursue further.

I entered my Leaving Cert year completely overwhelmed by the CAO, courses, and points. I don’t think I even knew what a PLC was until my mother told me about a college in our local town that offered these courses, and how it could be a good option for me due to how unsure I was, with everything from Drama to Midwifery on my CAO form at this stage!

I spent a year in a local Further Education college doing a Level 5 course in Social Studies and Psychology, and I can honestly say I will never regret it. It gave me such a good idea of what the whole area of Social Studies was about, and really made up my mind that it was something I wanted to continue on with and complete a degree in. It also helped that a lot of things I learnt during my PLC course, was then covered again in the 1st year of my degree, so I really felt like I had a good foundation and understanding.

Often a lot of these courses are made up of a mixture of school leavers and mature students of all ages, and I feel this brings so much diversity to the class and makes for some interesting conversations and debates, and really gives you a huge range of views on everything.

For people that don’t want to spend 3 or 4 years getting a degree, there are also so many PLCs that can send you straight into employment once you’re finished, another huge advantage. For those that may not have gotten the points they needed in their Leaving Cert, doing a PLC can help them get those points. Overall, I think that if you’re any way unsure about what course you’d like to do, or if you even want to continue on to a degree course at all, then a PLC is the way to go.

This article was written by a SpunOut.ie volunteer. Check out our volunteering options here and get in touch if you’re interested in getting involved.

Senator Neale Richmond, elected to Seanad Éireann in April 2016 to the Labour Panel as a spokesperson on European Affairs, was very kind to invite the members of the Indian Youth Ireland to the Leinster House and gave a private tour of the Dail, after IYI emailed the Honourable Senator inviting him to their IYI Talks, for a thorough discussion on the letter he wrote to the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald, T.D. asking his own government to relax work permit laws for Non-EU nationals.

Indian Youth Ireland (IYI) is an organisation founded by Mr. Shashank R. Chakerwarti to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among the Indian youth residing in Ireland, simultaneously creating one of the best support systems for them here. IYI Talks is an initiative to provide the members with a platform for a healthy discussion and share their concerns on contemporary issues that affect them most.  

Senator Neale Richmond shared some very compelling facts that the majority of the population is overlooking and if not dealt immediately, could affect the Irish economic growth.

Post completing his education in Finance the Senator moved to Belgium where he learnt that there is not a city on this planet, where you will not find an Irish pub. Ireland is a nation whose majority of the population emigrated during The Great Famine to the far corners of this world, in search of a new home and economic opportunities, but perhaps, we have not been a great host. We will soon be reaching a point where the likes of Donald Trump’s presidency, Britain’s Exit from the European Union, the ever growing threat of nuclear war with North Korea and Ireland’s very liberal approach to the EU could make the state a very attractive focal point for investors and multinational firms.

However, Ireland’s employment statistics show that the Republic will be reaching full employment very soon from unemployment figures 15%-16% during the crash to currently 6%, and in future at 3%, the country is to be considered fully employed according to International standards. An increasing inward investment and job production may lead to a higher demand for labourers, whilst the Republic will not be able to supply that market need if work permit applications are not eased for Non-EU nationals, especially for attracting skilled labour.

What led to the Senator writing to the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation?

Neale was drinking coffee in his favourite coffee shop, approached by the owner saying he will have to shut his business down, resulting into 10 jobs lost, solely because his three Mauritian chefs, who the owner trained for years are being deported after their case was held in the immigration for 9 years. Neale was contacted by multiple SMEs like the coffee shop to be their voice in the Irish political sphere. The Senator raised concerns over the severe shortage of hospitality staff with a rapidly growing Irish tourism sector, IT professionals, Data Specialists, Bookkeepers, and the Financial sector boom post BREXIT will require qualified financial professionals to fill this void.

“1 job creates 10 more jobs” – Senator Neale Richmond

Watch Senator Neale Richmond’s full talk here on his letter to the Tánaiste, followed by a panel discussion featuring Mr. Asheesh Dewan and Mr. Godfrey Chimbganda.

View photos from the IYI Talks with Senator Neale Richmond.

This article was written by a SpunOut.ie volunteer. Check out our volunteering options here and get in touch if you’re interested in getting involved.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I find the idea that we are expected to decide what to do with the rest of our lives at age 17 or 18, a bit ridiculous. Not only that, but we’re also set a deadline, to rank in order of preference what we want to be doing and where we want to be for the next 3 or 4 years of our lives, before we even see our exam results.

Further education options

Although it’s improving in more recent times, a further education option I feel is not advertised widely enough is the PLC (Post Leaving Certificate) option. These courses usually last a year, or sometimes two, and give an excellent foundation or idea of if the area is something you’d like to pursue further.

I entered my Leaving Cert year completely overwhelmed by the CAO, courses, and points. I don’t think I even knew what a PLC was until my mother told me about a college in our local town that offered these courses, and how it could be a good option for me due to how unsure I was, with everything from Drama to Midwifery on my CAO form at this stage!

Helping me to see things clearly

I spent a year in a local Further Education college doing a Level 5 course in Social Studies and Psychology, and I can honestly say I will never regret it. It gave me such a good idea of what the whole area of Social Studies was about, and really made up my mind that it was something I wanted to continue on with and complete a degree in. It also helped that a lot of things I learned during my PLC course, was then covered again in the 1st year of my degree, so I really felt like I had a good foundation and understanding.

Often a lot of these courses are made up of a mixture of school leavers and mature students of all ages, and I feel this brings so much diversity to the class and makes for some interesting conversations and debates, and really gives you a huge range of views on everything.

Preparing you for your career

For people that don’t want to spend three or four years getting a degree, there are also so many PLCs that can send you straight into employment once you’re finished, another huge advantage. For those that may not have gotten the points they needed in their Leaving Cert, doing a PLC can help them get those points. Overall, I think that if you’re any way unsure about what course you’d like to do, or if you even want to continue on to a degree course at all, then a PLC is the way to go.

In today's society, it's no doubt many of us will observe the trends and changes around us. We are fed the ideal body, personality, image and so on particularly through social media. Many young people feel the need to look a certain way. But by constantly comparing yourself to other people, I truly believe your self-esteem will plummet. Such that trying to make yourself look like Zac Efron or Beyoncé, you are only destroying your confidence and becoming a subject of social influence.

By looking through these 'perfect' photos of celebrities, fitness fanatics or imagining the clothes every other teenager is wearing you're not doing yourself any good. The way I see it is that, when young people mirror the images of other young people, they're more or less expressing that they're trying to feel more confident and less vulnerable. Some are fearful to stand out so they crave to fit in. This is what young people need to grasp. Just because everybody else is doing it doesn’t mean you should too. If you really do admire the clothing trends or make-up style then of course go for it, but don’t change yourself to merely impress others. It’s not worth it.

Not only do we compare body types I also think people tend to look to other people to feel worthy or important. For instance, lately on Facebook I've noticed girls putting up quite a lot of lovey dovey quotes or statuses about guys. A lot of these posts would be about how men treat women, how a man makes them feel loved etc and not only does this baffle me but I also find it quite bizarre. Of course, everyone wants to feel loved, but why don't we just love ourselves. Why do those girls who posts those statuses need a man to make them feel worthy? You don't need someone to call you beautiful or to tell you that you look great in that dress. Tell yourself you are beautiful and you look great in that dress. We need to stop looking to society and other people for approval.

Another interesting thing I've noticed is people comparing their lives with the lives of others. For example, you're on Instagram and your friend just told you about how she's going on a month’s holiday this summer and how she's buying a new car next week. When you've been told this, you many feel quite disappointed. In the sense that your life seems nowhere exciting as that. This is the problem, when you're comparing your grades, holidays, job and lifestyle to that of other people you are essentially telling your mind you're worthless. Life is not a competition.

What I always think is important is to give yourself some credit at the end of the day. Somewhere out there somebody would love to be in the position you're in. You’re always one step ahead than you think. I would suggest starting each day with something you're grateful for, it doesn't have to be something big. As well as that give yourself something to do each day that maybe you've been putting off. Whether it be cleaning that pile of clothes in the corner or your room or to go and do that theory test. By doing something productive each day, you're enhancing your confidence. Finally remember that, "If you want to improve your self-worth stop giving other people the calculator."

This article was written by a SpunOut.ie volunteer. Check out our volunteering options here and get in touch if you’re interested in getting involved.

This week is BeLonG To’s Stand Up! Awareness Week 2017, an annual campaign to address homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools. Over the week, schools across Ireland will take part by displaying posters, holding activities, and starting conversations. The campaign asks young people in Ireland to stand up for their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender + (LGBT+) friends and let them know they support them.

Homophobic and transphobic bullying is still a widespread issue, and BeLonG To are asking schools all over the country to educate themselves and their students on LGBTI+ inclusion and to create a positive and welcoming environment for LGBTI+ students.

How can I take part?

This year, BeLonG To are asking people to take part in the #StandUp2017 social media campaign by sharing a story of when a friend stood up for them. It doesn’t have to be LGBTI+ related.

Ways to join the #StandUp2017 Social Media campaign

  1. Share a photo of yourself and a friend who stood up for you during a hard time.
  2. Tag your friend and let them know how much it meant to you that they took a stand for you.
  3. Use the hashtag #StandUp2017and tag BeLonG To in your post (@BeLonGToYouthServices on Facebook, @BeLonG_To on Twitter, @belongtoyouthservices on Instagram.)

Here are some suggestions for what you can include in your post:

If you take part in any activities for Stand Up! Awareness week, you can send pictures to [email protected].

For more information visit www.belongto.org.

A summer in the US is almost a rite of passage for many Irish college students, and any student looking to get a taste of life in America can now start applying for their J1 visa for 2018.

How do I apply for the J1?

To get a J1 visa, you must go through an approved agency. The most popular agencies are USIT and SAYIT, but there are other options available, and you should do your research before applying to find the best one for you.

Remember, you must find a job before you leave for America. This job has to be approved in order for your work papers to be issued. Click here for more information on applying for a J1 visa.

USIT

USIT have announced that early bird applications are now open, with two packages available for J1 students. The cost of the application varies depending on which package you get. Students who opt for J1 Basic must source their job themselves and have it approved by the embassy. Those who go for the J1 Premium package will have a job arranged for them by USIT.

Early bird prices are available until November 24th 2017. To view prices and packages, visit the USIT website.

SAYIT

The SAYIT 2018 J1 visa programme will be opening soon, and students can register their interest here.

An exhibition has been launched in Dublin to share the real-life stories from Irish women who have travelled for an abortion. The project highlights the impact the 8th Amendment has had on the lives of women and their families in Ireland.

About the exhibition

Caoimhe Anglin launched Everyday Stories after her experience of travelling for an abortion in 2016 following a crisis pregnancy. When speaking about her own experience, Caoimhe said "I was accessing a normal healthcare service but – to do so – I was subjected to needless hardship: I had to travel abroad, stay in a hotel, find the money to cover all these expenses, and get time off work. And I had to do all this under a cloud of secrecy because of the Eighth Amendment and the restrictions it has caused."

She felt inspired to start this project to share her story and the stories of other women. Last year, 10 Irish women travelled every day to the UK to have an abortion, each with their own reason and their own story.

Each story in the exhibition is illustrated by a different Irish-based artist, and share experiences that range from crisis pregnancies to cases of fatal foetal abnormalities. 

According to Caoimhe Anglin, the aim of the project is to show abortion as “an everyday, essential healthcare service accessed by thousands of Irish women each year”.

Where to see Everyday Stories

The exhibition in Filmbase, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 is curated by Amy McKeogh and will be open until Thursday 9th November. An online project is available at www.everydaystories.org and is managed by Caoimhe Anglin. Members of the public are invited to submit their own stories through the website. A new story will be published online every two weeks.

Everyday Stories hope to bring the exhibition on tour in 2018.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) are encouraging students across the country to #GetRegd this Wednesday November 8th for National Voter Registration Day.

You have until November 25th to get yourself on the draft register in order to vote in next year’s referendums. To check if you’re already on the register, visit checktheregister.ie.

If you’re not on the register, not to worry – applying for the draft register is straightforward, and the USI are here to make it even easier for you.

Click here to download the RFA1 form in English or Irish.

Am I eligible to vote?

In order to vote in a referendum in Ireland, you must be:

If you turn 18 on or before February 15th 2018, you can still apply to be included on the draft register.

I’m a student, how do I register?

If you’re a student, then you can pick up the voter registration forms (form RFA1) at your SU. They will tell you everything you need to know about filling it out, and they’ll even send it off for you for free.

So all you need to do is pick it up and fill it out. Let your SU take care of the rest!

I’m not a student, but I still need to register.

If you’re not a student, or if you’re away from college and can’t visit your SU, then you can download the RFA1 form here. Simply fill it out and send it or drop it into your local county or city council.

Make sure to send it off before November 25th.

Want to know more? Click here for more information about registering to vote.

Dress for Success Dublin have launched a month long campaign to highlight the gender pay gap and raise money to support more women back to work.

The gender pay gap is the difference in the average total earnings between men and women. In Ireland, women earn approximately 14% less than men over the course of their careers.

According to Dress for Success, this means that women stop earning equal to men in the middle of November, which effectively means that women work for free for around 7 weeks of the year.

Low paying jobs

The majority of workers in low-paying jobs in Ireland are women. Many of these women are on part-time or zero-hour contracts, with fewer educational qualifications. When the gender pay gap is discussed, women in these situations are often left out of the conversation.

Women also retire on a lower pension than men because they are more likely to take time off work to care for children or other family members than men across their working lives.

Dress for Success argue that addressing these gender inequalities and introducing things like mandetory shared parental leave, affordable childcare, and finding ways to bring and end to gender stereotyping are another way to close the pay gap between men and women.

Equal Pay Day 2017

This year, Equal Pay Day 2017 is on 10th November because this is the date in the year that women stop earning compared to men. For the rest of the year, women are effectively working for free.

To mark this day, Dress for Success will be holding a panel discussion at the Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar. You can register for the event here.

Dress for Success is a charity offering career development tools to women including professional clothing, interview preparation, workshops and mentoring. Click here to learn more about the Equal Pay campaign.

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