Cindy is part of the senior leadership team of Samaritans UK and Ireland and in the role of Director of Branch Operations, is responsible for the Welsh, South West, North West and West Midlands Regions. Committed to the value of voluntary work and community engagement as a vehicle for social justice and change she is also a prison facilitator, Chair of Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services, Chair of Alternatives to Violence Program (AVP) Ireland and external trustee on the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous Ireland.
Cindy is a regular speaker at conferences and has presented papers at conferences at National and international level.
She is currently undertaking her Doctoral thesis on the value of Peer Support in Prison Contexts.
Biography
Cindy O'Shea has worked in UCC since 1995 and has significant teaching experience through her roles in Adult Continuing Education and in the School of Applied Social Studies, UCC. She is particularly involved in the development of competent professional practitioners for the Youth & Community Work sector and in the development of reflective practice and professional competencies. Cindy is founder of the Youth Work Educators Forum- a community of practice space for HEI staff on the island of Ireland and is the Ministerial appointed HEI rep on the NSETS Committee.Cindy is part of the senior leadership team of Samaritans UK and Ireland and in the role of Director of Branch Operations, is responsible for the Welsh, South West, North West and West Midlands Regions. Committed to the value of voluntary work and community engagement as a vehicle for social justice and change she is also a prison facilitator, Chair of Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services, Chair of Alternatives to Violence Program (AVP) Ireland and external trustee on the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous Ireland.
Cindy is a regular speaker at conferences and has presented papers at conferences at National and international level.
She is currently undertaking her Doctoral thesis on the value of Peer Support in Prison Contexts.
Research Interests
- Professionalisation of youth and community work.
- Reflective Practice and Professional Formation in the social professions
- Group Work Practice
- Group Work as an educational tool
- The experience of prisoners in the Irish prison System
- I am also a member of the 'Researching the Professions' and 'Children & Youth' research clusters of ISS21.
Contract Researchers
| Researcher Name | Project | Role | Funding Body | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cindy O'Shea | Barriers to Male Participation in Adult Education | Postgraduate Researcher | UCC Strategic Research Fund | |
| Cindy O'Shea | An Evaluation of ABI Services in HSE Southern Region | Co Principal Investigator | Health Service Executive | |
| Cindy O'Shea | Needs Analysis of single parents under 24 on Great Island | Co Principal Investigator | Department of Education and Science | |
| Cindy O'Shea | Audit of Cork County Education Provision in 2005 | Co Principal Investigator | Department of Education and Science | |
| Cindy O'Shea | Social Needs Analysis for Step Program in East Cork | Co Principal Investigator | Department of Education and Science |
Publications
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2016) | 'Book Review: Schinkel, Marguerite (2014) Being Imprisoned; Punishment, Adaptation and Desistance' O'Shea, Cindy (2016) 'Book Review: Schinkel, Marguerite (2014) Being Imprisoned; Punishment, Adaptation and Desistance'. Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies, Vol 16 (ISS.2) [DOI] [Details] |
Conference Publications
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | ETS Conference Berlin O'Shea, C . (2022) Becoming- the journey from knowledge to practice' ETS Conference Berlin [Details] | |
| (2022) | ICEMTL Barcelona O'Shea, C & O'Donovan D. (2022) Practice Teaching in the Pandemic -Creating constructive clinical practice learning environments through interactive multi media methods’ ICEMTL Barcelona [Details] | |
| (2019) | SOTL Conference Bilbao O'Shea, C & O'Donovan D. (2019) Developing the professional 'toolkit' - Making learning meaningful in applied youth and community work education' SOTL Conference Bilbao [Details] |
Published Reports
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2008) | 'Needs Analysis of single parents under 24 on Great Island'. O'Shea.C and Griffin, M. (2008) 'Needs Analysis of single parents under 24 on Great Island'. Family Support Network, Cork, Cork. [Details] | |
| (2006) | 'Social Needs Analysis for Step Program in East Cork'. O'Shea.C and Griffin, M. (2006) 'Social Needs Analysis for Step Program in East Cork'. YMCA East Cork, Cork. [Details] | |
| (2006) | An Evaluation of ABI Services in HSE Southern Region'. O'Shea.C and Griffin, M. (2006) An Evaluation of ABI Services in HSE Southern Region'. HSE Regional ABI Committee, Cork. [Details] | |
| (2005) | Cork County Adult Education & Training Audit 2005'. O'Shea.C and Griffin, M. (2005) Cork County Adult Education & Training Audit 2005'. Cork County Development Board, Cork. [Details] | |
| (2004) | A Study of Barriers to Male Participation in Adult Education'. O'Shea, C & O''Faithigh, M.. (2004) A Study of Barriers to Male Participation in Adult Education'. Centre for Adult Continuing Education, UCC, Cork. [Details] |
Professional Activities
Honours and Awards
| Year | Title | Awarding Body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UCC Exceptional Citizen | University College Cork | |
| 2019 | Gold Digital Badge | SPEEDS UCC | |
| 2019 | Bronze Digital badge | SPEEDS UCC |
Professional Associations
| Association | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samaritans UK & Ireland | Deputy Chair of regional Directors | 01-SEP-21 / | |
| CDYS | Board menber | 01-SEP-22 / | |
| Samaritans Cork | Branch Director | 01-JUL-12 / 01-JUL-15 | |
| Samaritans Ireland | Regional Prison Support Officer | 01-OCT-20 / | |
| Samaritans Ireland | Regional Director | 01-OCT-17 / 07-APR-19 | |
| Leargas | Committee Member | 01-MAR-22 / | |
| NSETS | HEI representative | 01-JUN-22 / 02-JUN-24 | |
| AVP Ireland | Chair & Board Member | 01-JAN-21 / 12-JUL-22 | |
| GSBAA | External Trustee | 01-MAR-20 / |
Conference Contributions
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2023) | Bringing Hope in Difficult Times Samaritans International Conference, Cindy O'Shea (2023) Leadership in the management of change. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Bringing Hope in Difficult Times Samaritans International Conference, Virtual . [Details] | |
| (2022) | Samaritans Ireland national Conference, Cindy O'Shea (2022) Prisoner Experiences during Covid 19. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Samaritans Ireland national Conference, Cork . [Details] | |
| (2022) | International Conference on Modern Research in Education, Teaching and Learning (ICMETL), Cindy O'Shea & David O'Donovan (2022) Practice Teaching in the Pandemic -Creating constructive practice learning environments through interactive multi media tools. [Oral Presentation], International Conference on Modern Research in Education, Teaching and Learning (ICMETL), Barcelona . [Details] | |
| (2022) | ETS JUgend for Europe- The Quality Bonus, Cindy O'Shea (2022) Competence-based approach in the education and training of youth workers”. [Oral Presentation], ETS JUgend for Europe- The Quality Bonus, Berlin . [Details] | |
| (2020) | Youth Work- An Evolving Field; Policy & Practice 2020-21, Cindy O'Shea (2020) 'Sure we're ok- lockdown isn't new too us- its worse for you. Prison Experiences in the Pandemic'. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Youth Work- An Evolving Field; Policy & Practice 2020-21, UCC . [Details] | |
| (2019) | Samaritans Ireland National Conference, Cindy O'Shea (2019) The role of Talk therapy in emotional support. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Samaritans Ireland National Conference, Derry . [Details] | |
| (2019) | EuroSOTL Conference Bilbao, Cindy O'Shea & David O'Donovan (2019) Developing the professional “toolkit”_Making learning meaningful in applied youth and community work education. [Oral Presentation], EuroSOTL Conference Bilbao, Bilbao . [Details] | |
| (2018) | North South Criminology Conference, Cindy O'Shea (2018) Creating Peer Support Opportunities in Prisons- A Casestudy. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], North South Criminology Conference, UCC . [Details] | |
| (2018) | Pfizers Health Awareness Series, Cindy O'Shea (2018) Emotional Health and Support in the Workplace. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Pfizers Health Awareness Series, Ringaskiddy, Cork . [Details] | |
| (2018) | Samaritans Impact Report 2018, Cindy O'Shea (2018) Collaboration and Delivery; Emotional Support in Irish Prisons. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Samaritans Impact Report 2018, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2018) | 10th Anniversary of Mountjoy Prison Listener Scheme, Cindy O'Shea (2018) The Contribution and development of the Listener Scheme in Mountjoy Prison. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], 10th Anniversary of Mountjoy Prison Listener Scheme, Mountjoy . [Details] | |
| (2018) | Samaritans International Conference 2018, Cindy O'Shea (2018) Who is ireland- Responding to Mental in an Irish Context. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Samaritans International Conference 2018, London . [Details] | |
| (2018) | Samaritans National Conference, Cindy O'Shea (2018) Loneliness- A Mental Health Issue. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Samaritans National Conference, Limerick . [Details] | |
| (2017) | Mental Health Reform, Cindy O'Shea (2017) Supporting people with Suicidal Ideation. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Mental Health Reform, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2017) | Samaritans Ireland Volunteer Recognition & Awards Event, Cindy O'Shea (2017) The Power of the Samaritan Volunteer. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Samaritans Ireland Volunteer Recognition & Awards Event, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2017) | Samaritans International Conference 2017, Cindy O'Shea (2017) Responding to the Mental health needs of the Irish Traveller Community. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Samaritans International Conference 2017, London . [Details] | |
| (2017) | IPS and Samaritans; Peer to Peer: reducing Suicide through Collaborative Approaches, Cindy O'Shea (2017) The Listener Scheme- Positive contributions towards reducing prison suicide. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], IPS and Samaritans; Peer to Peer: reducing Suicide through Collaborative Approaches, Dublin Castle . [Details] | |
| (2017) | Valuing Volunteering, Cindy O'Shea (2017) Presentation on the value of volunteering in Mental Health Charities. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Valuing Volunteering, Armagh . [Details] | |
| (2017) | Samaritans Ireland National Conference, Cindy O'Shea (2017) The role of the volunteer in Samaritans services. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Samaritans Ireland National Conference, Drogheda . [Details] | |
| (2016) | Samaritans Ireland National Conference, Cindy O'Shea (2016) Stories from the inside: Working in a prison environment to reduce suicide. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Samaritans Ireland National Conference, Waterford . [Details] | |
| (2016) | Samaritans National Conference, Cindy O'Shea (2016) Working with Prisoners as a high risk group. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Samaritans National Conference, Newry . [Details] | |
| (2016) | IPS Changing Lives: Collaboration in the delivery of effective support to Prisoners, Cindy O'Shea (2016) The value of peer support- the Samaritan Listener Scheme. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], IPS Changing Lives: Collaboration in the delivery of effective support to Prisoners, Wheatfield Prison . [Details] | |
| (2016) | Irish Association of Suicidology Annual COnference, Cindy O'Shea (2016) Normalising Conversations around Mental Health. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Irish Association of Suicidology Annual COnference, Killarney . [Details] | |
| (2016) | Staff Support in Irish Prisons- IPS, Cindy O'Shea (2016) Opportunities for staff support in the Irish Prison Service. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Staff Support in Irish Prisons- IPS, Portlaoise . [Details] | |
| (2015) | Samaritans International Conference 2015, Cindy O'Shea (2015) Reimagining our callers- Listening in challenging times. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Samaritans International Conference 2015, London . [Details] | |
| (2015) | Catholic Girl Guides Regional Training 2015, Cindy O'Shea (2015) Working to Support mental Health with Young People. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Catholic Girl Guides Regional Training 2015, Cork . [Details] | |
| (2014) | NSRF Responding to Suicidal Crisis- Research Policy and Practice, Cindy O'Shea (2014) Talking Therapy as Support in Mental health. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], NSRF Responding to Suicidal Crisis- Research Policy and Practice, Cork City Hall . [Details] | |
| (2014) | HSE Conference; Responding to Mental Health in the Community, Cindy O'Shea (2014) Media Guidelines and Ethical reporting of Suicide and Self Harm. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], HSE Conference; Responding to Mental Health in the Community, Dublin . [Details] |
Committees
| Committee | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCC's Work Integrated Learning Project | Committee Member | 2022 / | |
| Professional Development Course in Advocacy | Chair | 2022 / | |
| UCC's RPL Steering Group | Committee Member | 2022 / | |
| EAAD Best (HSE South) | Steering Group Member | 2021 / | |
| Professional Accredited Programmes and Work Placement Working Group (CACSSS) | Committee Member | 2021 / | |
| National Suicide and Self Harm Committee of IPS | Committee Member | 2020 / | |
| Mental Health Reform Prison Committee | Committee Member | 2020 / | |
| Youth Work Educators Forum | Founder & Convenor | 2017 / |
Employment
| Employer | Position | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACE, University College Cork | Course Co-ordinator | 01-SEP-09 / 30-JUN-14 | |
| ACE, University College Cork | Course Co-ordinator | 01-SEP-95 / 31-AUG-04 | |
| Ogra Chorcai Ltd | Outreach Worker | 01-JAN-88 / 31-AUG-95 | |
| Cork Aids Alliance | Education Outreach Worker | 01-SEP-95 / 01-SEP-97 | |
| University College Cork | Lecturer & Practice Supervisor | 01-SEP-04 / |
Education
| Year | Institution | Qualification | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Coach Academy | NLP Practitioner | NLP Theory and Skills | |
| 2010 | UCC | Pg Dip TLHE | Teaching & Learning | |
| 2005 | UCC | PG Cert in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education | Teaching & Learning | |
| 2002 | University of Leicester | MSC. Training & HRM | Training & Human Resource Management | |
| 1987 | UCC | B.Soc. Sc. | Social Sciences | |
| 2005 | Coach Academy | Dip in Life and Business Coaching | Life and Business COaching | |
| 1994 | UCC | H.Dip Couns | Counselling |
Outreach Activities
| Description | |
|---|---|
Supervisor & trainer for Voluntary sector agencies and Youth Work Practitioners. Speaker at Youth Work Events Erasmus Programme |
Other Activities
| Description | |
|---|---|
External Examiner for Carlow IT 2013-16 and LIT Thurles Campus 2011-14 |
Teaching Activities
Teaching Interests
- Group Work & Facilitation
- Reflective Practice
- Professional Formation & Skills development
- Managing & developing Professional Practice in Youth & Community Work
- Peer Support and approaches to working in prison
- Experience of Prisoners within the prison system
Recent Postgraduates
| Graduation Year | Student Name | Institution | Degree Type | Thesis Title | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Aoife Talty | UCC | An Examination of the experience of Churchfield Community Trust during the Covid Pandemic | ||
| 2022 | Nicole Nagle | NUI (UCC) | An analysis of the Irish Social Welfare System as it is Applied to the Direct Provision System, and the Overlapping of Human Rights Breaches. | ||
| 2022 | Luke Conway | NUI (UCC) | Social Isolation Among the Elderly- an All-Ireland Comparative Study of Experiences in Urban & Rural Areas |