Family Matters ABC and Barnardos Northern Ireland in partnership with local youth services, school completion projects and local schools launched the Botvin Lifeskills programme in Ballyfermot on Thursday 31st May 2018.

Botvin LifeSkills is a highly effective early intervention and prevention programme which prevents risk taking behaviours in children and young people. LifeSkills is a universal programme, designed for whole-class in school delivery. LifeSkills concentrates on a preventative approach which shares age appropriate information with children and young people providing them with the skills, knowledge and attitudes to make healthy choices. LifeSkills has three core parts:

• Self-management skills which help students with problem solving, decision making, critical thinking and how to regulate emotions
• Social competence which involves teaching students how to communicate clearly, make friends and develop healthy relationships.
• Resistance training to help young people develop strategies for resisting peer pressure.

As well as preventing risk taking behaviours, it also leads to important improvements in other skills which are key for healthy development amongst young people. These include self-esteem, emotional regulation, motivation, communication, social skills and ability to cope with stress.

Over the past two years the Lifeskills programme has been delivered in 4th and 5th classes in all primary schools in Ballyfermot and with 1st years students in St. Dominic’s Secondary school. The programme is facilitated by staff from the local youth services, Ballyfermot Youth Service, Cherry Orchard Integrated Youth Services and Familibase as well as the 4 clusters of the School Completion Programme and teachers in each of the Primary schools. A research report outlining the findings from the implementation of the programme was launched this afternoon also. This report highlights that 73% of children participating improved their knowledge of smoking and Lifeskills, 54% improved their attitudes to smoking and alcohol and 57% improved their overall Lifeskills.

Bernie Laverty, Coordinator with Family Matters said “We are all aware through experience and research that alcohol and drugs have impacted negatively on children, young people and families in Ballyfermot over many years. We are delighted to work with the LDATF, all our school communities and youth services in implementing the Lifeskills programme with a firm belief that this will support our young people to make healthier decisions as they transition into adulthood.”

Julie Healy, Head of Programmes in Barnardo’s Northern Ireland said “This research clearly illustrates that LifeSkills has successfully been implemented in Ballyfermot by Family Matters ABC. This paper adds to the already well-evidenced outcomes that LifeSkills is an effective early intervention and prevention programme that prevents children and young people from engaging in risk taking behaviours as well as supporting other healthy development.”

View the full report: Barnardos