Samba Drumming

Mental Health Day 2018

As part of mental health week we are holding a mental health day full of activities related to mental health. We are promoting mindfulness and activity for better mental health for all. 

Gardening on a sunny day.

Patrick and Andrew in the garden today.

The Irish Kidney Association Garden of Reflection

Photos taken by Kelly of The Irish Kidney Association Garden of Refection

Check out our Nature Gallery!!

For more beautiful spring photos check out our Nature Gallery. Taken by Kelly.

Getting ready for our "Information Morning"

Our new signage for the centre fitted today!

Catherine preparing an art display in the hallway today for our "Information Morning"

Weee Recycling for LauraLynn

We have started collecting and recycling old batteries for LauraLynn

Sweet Making

Mairead, Lisa and the catering trainees were making beautiful fudge and truffles today in the kitchen.

Recycling Batteries for Laura Lynn

Sligo CTC are collecting batteries for Laura Lynn Ireland's Children's Hospice in conjunction with WEEE Ireland (the compliance scheme for battery and waste electrical and electronic recycling). Please bring in any old batteries and place them in one of the blue recycling boxes around the centre..

Level 4 Business English with Emer

As part of training in the computer department Emer in conjunction with computers teaches a Business English module with computer trainees on a Friday.  Trainees can undertake the QQI minor award Business English (4N1108).  This module aims is to equip the trainees with the knowledge, skill and competence to communicate accurately and effectively in English in a business context.  Throughout the module trainees examine the various forms of communication, compose business documents and use spoken language in a range of business environments.

Patrick and Kayla have recently completed this module with great success, while Andrew and Gary are commencing it by examining some various key business terms to be included in their business dictionaries.  This is a very useful and beneficial module to have and it also can be used towards  a QQI Level 4 Major Award Pathway to Employment (4M2010).

Computer Course - Office Duties and Information Stands

Alongside computer training this course equips trainees with the skills and knowledge needed to perform routine office duties.  Trainees get the opportunity to learn how to photocopy, use the scanner, laminate, shredding, binding, telephone skills, paper guillotine, filing etc. Andrew helps Marian out in the office doing filing, booklets, purchase requisitions, answering phone, spreadsheets, sign-in sheets, letters etc. The computer group are involved in designing posters for all the health promotion initiatives taking place in the centre.  Over the last few weeks trainees have put together stands including internet safety, recycling and stands for our “Information Morning” taking place next week. 

Internet safety information stand and posters

Trainees working on the information morning stand

Trainees using the photocopier, laminator & paper guillotine

Computer Course - Sligo CTC Blog

What is a blog?

A blog is a discussion or informational website that is published on the World Wide Web consisting of diary-style text entries. Having a blog Is a great way for Sligo CTC to make themselves known by sharing information and images about what is happening in the centre. We use Google Blogger for publishing our blog.

Leanora working on the blog and Picasa.

What is Picasa?

Picasa is a image organiser and image viewer for organising and editing digital photos, plus an integrated photo-sharing website. We find Picasa easy to use and is great for creating collages and editing images putting borders, text & filters on them.

What camera do we use?

We use the Canon EOS 1300D DSLR camera for taking professional-like pictures and it is easy to use once you get the hang of it. It is a good quality camera with many great features. The trainees love using it to get out and about to take pictures.

Hairdressing Course - Facials

SKINCARE TIPS AND TRICKS FOR MEN

Personal Hygiene – It may appear to be an obvious one, but it is important to keep clean –shower daily, wash your pillows and bed sheets regularly – dirty pillows are linked to acne in teens.

Cleanse your skin – A cold rinse first thing in the morning followed by using a face cleanser designed for your type of skin  (spot prone, dehydrated etc.). Rub in circular motions for about 30 seconds and rinse again with cold water. Using cold water will close the pores. Pat dry using a towel, never rub!

Exfoliate – Using a facial scrub, apply twice a week. This will help remove dead skin cells, general dirt and unclog your pores – which will help fight against the likes of acne.

Moisturiser – Applying a moisturiser daily will keep the skin healthy and hydrated which will prevent dry or sensitive areas from forming. A good moisturiser will also help calm inflammation from shaving.

Change your diet – Breakouts are associated with a bad diet. Switch up the junk food for a diet with more greens and fruit and your skin can change dramatically over time.

Drink more water – As with the junk food, replace fizzy drinks with water – try to get 2 litres a day. Water will help flush toxins from your skin and body, helping to reduce breakouts etc. It will also keep you and your skin hydrated.

Don’t pop spots – As much as you may want to, do not pop or pick at spots as they may scar or get infected. Witch hazel facial tonner is cheap to buy and can be applied to spots to help dry them out.

Exercise – Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day improves much more than your skin, however not showering after can lead to a build up of sweat in your pores, which can lead to breakouts.

Sleep – A recommended night’s sleep is 8 hours, which makes the other 16 hours easier on your mind, body and skin.

Facemasks – A facemask once or twice a week will help battle breakouts, improve the appearance of your pores and hydrate your skin. You can pick the mask according to your skin and what is best suited to help. Facemasks range from charcoal, to oil control to intensive hydrating masks.

Facials being done on some of the boys from the Sports group

Hairdressing Course - Roller Setting

When most people think of roller setting they undoubtedly think of granny’s latest hair style, but working with large rollers on medium to long hair the following effects can  be achieved.

A finished Roller Setting look

One of our talented learners Nikita doing Roller Setting

Roller Setting created on different types of hair

Hairdressing Course - Do's and Dont's

Hairdressing Course - Valentines Day Upstyle

A simple yet elegant Valentines day inspired Upstyle

Hairdressing Course - Upstyle

Beautiful upstyle created by one of our wonderful learners

Hairdressing Course - Valentines Upstyle

Beautiful Valentines Day inspired upstyle created by Nikita

Hairdressing Course - Blow-Drying Tips

• Is Your Hair too Wet? Your hair should be 60-to-65 percent dry before you start to blow dry your hair with a brush.
• Root Lift: For a  blow dry that looks as good as when you last left the salon, encourage more root lift using your fingers before using a brush,
• Where to Start? When blow drying take your hair in sections, starting at the roots then glide the brush through the mid-lengths. Repeat this two or three times before turning in the more difficult ends.
• Which Brush to Use? As a rule the larger the brush the smoother the hair. For wiry or coarse hair use a brush with as many bristles as possible, an old type nylon bristle brush is ideal. Heat retaining brushes (Brushes with a metal core) are everywhere at the moment, while fantastic for adding curl and shine to hair; a word of caution, the metal core can get extremely hot and care should be used when using them.

• Want your blow dry to last? Blow drying is not something that should be hurried. Each section of hair that is dried should be allowed cool on the brush; this will allow the hair to “set” the desired style and your blow dry to last much longer.
• Hair Products: The golden rule “Less is best” applies, volumiser and root lift sprays should only be applied to the roots. Hairsprays should only be applied from a distance allowing for even distribution and remember to brush out at night before bed.
• Heat protection: heat protection sprays can be used on wet or dry hair and should be used before using any heated appliances.  
• Hair straighteners: it is important for you to remember that hair straighteners damage the hair. Don’t hold the straighteners in the same position for too long, always keep it moving!  It is important to use heat protection every time.  

The Hairdressing Group

(L-R) Kayleigh, Blaithin, Nikita, Mary, Shannon, Emma & Kyle