Lorraine O'Connell
Lorraine has worked for Sexual Health West since 2008, as their Sexual Health Education Coordinator. She designs, delivers and evaluates sexual health programmes promoting positive sexual health and HIV awareness to all communities in the west of Ireland. The WISER (West of Ireland Sexuality Health Education Resource) is currently delivered in over 40 schools in the West of Ireland by Lorraine and her colleagues. ‘A Little WISER’ is being rolled out in a number of primary schools and has received very positive feedback from students, parents and schools.
Denise McAlister
Denise is the newest member of Sexual Health West and is delighted to be part of the WISER team facilitating the WISER programmes as a Relationships and Sexuality Educator. Originally from Belfast, Denise is a qualified teacher with experience in a range of sectors including the disability services and has recently completed her Graduate Certificate in Sexuality and Sexual Health at DCU. Denise is particularly passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding STI’s, working to dispel the many myths and misconceptions surrounding sex and supporting young people to become confident and shame free when it comes to sex and sexuality.
Neil Wilson
Neil works in conjunction with the Western Region Drug and Alcohol Task Force (www.wrdatf.ie) to inform parents and professionals about a range of topics that relate to both substance misuse and sexual health. WRDATF also delivers courses directly to young people, especially those in higher-risk groups, and are involved in a number of projects that support harm reduction in a very practical way; from apps supporting safety around waterways to the HSE’s campaigns at music festivals.
Joe McDonagh
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Jo Mohan
Jo has worked with Sexual Health since September 2010 as Office Administrator. She is involved in maintaining the efficient running of the day to day workings of the office which can involve liaison with Bank/Suppliers/Schools and other organizations. She supports the WISER team, with the administration of facilitating the WISER and the little WISER Programmes and participates in outreach and testing events.
John Halloran
John draws on his education and facilitation background to deliver RSE to young people in the west of Ireland as part of the WISER team. Working in Education, research and therapeutic interventions, he has alway been drawn to helping people understand themselves and the world around them with clear, concise, accessible information delivered using scientific backed factual information.
The stigmatized nature of Sexual Health means it has been taboo, filled with mythical and often straight-up misinformation. John enjoys challenging these attitudes with compassion and understanding, opening up conversations that can at times be difficult for people. Working with Sexual Health West means getting to target these themes, while also being part of a cracking team of intelligent, creative and holistic people, who all have the core belief of helping empower people to make their own educated decisions.
