Debbie Beirne

Background

About Debbie Beirne

Activation Officer with Peter McVerry Trust.* Qualified person centred group facilitator who has spent over 15 years as a self-employed recovery focused rhythm therapist. I specialised in running therapeutic focused music programs in a wide number of social care settings including prisons, acute psychiatric units, recovery-based community groups, as well as schools and youth organisations. I also facilitated Music in Mind programs for the National Concert Hall. I guest lectured on the Social Studies and Nursing program for GMIT Castlebar. I have a BA(Hon) in Social Studies (Distinction) and MA special award (level 9) in Behaviours that Challenge (Distinction) and Recovery in Mental Health Achievements: • ‘Poetry of Resilience’ and audience with Lemn Sissay (Chancellor of Manchester University) Linen Hall Theatre Castlebar November 2018 • ‘Refugee Support Ballaghaderreen’ (2017)(won best community group at the 2018 People of the Year Awards for our work in the community. • ‘Syrian Dialogues’ in 2018 in collaboration with Community Gardai. This involved a panel of Syrian refugees participating in group Q&A sessions in secondary school with 4th/5th & 6th year students. • ‘Human Library Mayo’ June 2016 in collaboration with GMIT and North Mayo. ETB. The Human Library is a worldwide equalities movement for social change that challenges prejudice and discrimination through social contact and dialogue. • Facilitated as part of Erasmus Youthpass Youth Exchange to Trzebinia Poland in 2015. • Achieved a Certificate in Advanced Drum Circle Facilitation in Scotland with International Music Program Village Music Circles with Arthur Hull in 2012 and 2015 • Facilitated a Youth Program with the Democratic Energies Programme Good Energies Alliance Ireland, environmental awareness campaign in Krakow, Poland, August 2014. • Founded, coordinated and facilitated a women’s retreat called ‘Women Together: Ordinary Women Recognizing their Extra Ordinary Selves for International Women’s Day March 6th -8th 2009. • Founded and coordinated the Voluntary Organisation ’Witness One Voice’ Intercultural Youth Media Project which received funding from Leargas under the Youth Initiative Program in 2010. • Founded and coordinated the Witness Project voluntary mental health advocacy support service in 2009. • Founded and coordinate Rúach Rhythms Intercultural music community since 2007. From 2020 -2022 I worked for MOVE Ireland (Men Overcoming Violence). I now work as a support worker/Advocate with Safelink Roscommon.