Covid-19 - How to wear a face covering

We are all aware that wearing a face covering reduces the spread of COVID-19 in the community but only if worn properly, covering both your nose and mouth.

A cloth face covering should cover the nose and go under the chin and:

• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Be secured with ties or ear loops
• Include at least 2 layers of fabric
• Allow for breathing without restriction 

National Be Active Day 2020

Step into Spring

We started our "Step into Spring" health promoting initiative yesterday.  Staff and trainees got the opportunity to walk, job or run around the track in Cleveragh.  This will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday's.  Well done to everyone that took part and keep it up!

Hairdressing Easi Meche Hightlights

Alice working on easi meche highlights today in the hairdressing department. 

Hairdressing Course - Upstyle

This amazing 1950's inspired upstyle was created by one of our talented learners

Stretching and Relaxation

Thanks to Steve for facilitating the relaxation and stretching session in the gym this morning to help us switch off and relax for World Mental Health Day

Mental Health Week 2018

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

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 

Bee Haven

There is a Bee Haven located beside the centre at the sports complex in Cleveragh.  This is a bee conservation area and helps bees to thrive in what can sometimes be a harsh environment.  There are lots of beautiful plants that help the bees such as lavender, sage, buttercups, geraniums etc.  This project is supported by Sligo Tidy Towns & Sligo County Council.  

Photos taken by Eamonn and Patryk

Yeats Day Photography Project - Glencar

To celebrate Yeats Day Sligo CTC will be filling their blog with poems from the gifted Yeats. Trainees are taking photographs of significant places associated with W.B. Yeats poems for the blog. Yesterday Lisa and Janell brought a group of trainees on a photography outing to Glencar Lake and Waterfall. It was a beautiful day and we took some gorgeous photographs of the waterfall and the landscape surrounding it. We also went to the pier at the Lake Isle of Innisfree, an uninhabited island within Lough Gill where Yeats spent his summers as a child. This was a very peaceful tranquil place and we got some truly beautiful shots of the lake and the island.

Earlier in the week, Matthew got some lovely photographs of Benbulben, Drumcliff Church and Yeats Grave which is located in the Drumcliff cemetery. Karl, Philip and Andrew took a trip down to Sligo town to have a look and take photographs of the Yeats Statue and the Yeats Murals. Next week we hope to take photographs of Dooney Rock, Slishwood, Hazelwood and Knocknarea. We will be posting these photographs on the blog between the June 7th to 13th.

Photo taken by Aoife of  Glencar Waterfall

Photos taken by Janell