1) National Water Safety Awareness week continues until June 24th. Irish Water Safety and the babies and toddler swim school, Water Babies, will host talks on water safety combined with first aid tips from the Order of Malta Ambulance service. Venues include the Hilton Hotel Dublin Airport, Malahide Road, on Tuesday, June 19th at 8pm; the Clayton Hotel, Leopardstown, Dublin, on Wednesday, June 20th, at 8pm; the Clayton Hotel, Briarhill, Galway, on June 20th at 7pm; and the Radisson Blu, Little Island, Cork, on July 2nd at 8pm. See iws.ie and waterbabies.ie for general advice on looking after children in swimming pools, paddling pools and at the seaside.
2) The Sanctuary's annual ashram in the Stella Maris centre, Howth, Co Dublin, runs from June 29th-July 29th. An ashram is a place where people of any faith, gender or nationality can stay and practise meditation and yoga. Members of the public can join in for single days or longer residential stays. "The ashram provides precious time to stop, take stock, and connect with your inner self in a world where we rarely have to time to do so," says Sr Stan Kennedy, the founder of the Sanctuary on Stanhope Street, Dublin 7. See sanctuary.ie for booking details.
3) Fancy running a "virtual" marathon while raising funds for the Irish Cancer Society? Members of the public are invited to complete the marathon distance of 42km in July while tracking their progress online. Thirty minutes of physical activity five times a week and being a healthy body weight are some ways to reduce cancer risk, according to the European Code Against Cancer. See cancer.ie/marathoninamonth
4) Parkway Retail Park in Limerick aims to lead the way in sensory-friendly shopping by making store visits easier for people with autism and other sensory difficulties. They will provide autism-friendly car-parking spaces outside stores, signage and specific tills to avoid queuing and allow an easier exit. Peaked caps will also be available for those who want to block out light. The caps will also act as a signal to staff of customers who might need extra help. The project is run in partnership with Limerick Autism Group.
5) A free patient information event on inflammatory bowel disease will be held on Wednesday, July 4th, from 4pm-6.30pm at the Trinity College Dublin Institute of Population Health, Russell Building, Tallaght Cross, Dublin 24. Dr Anthony O'Connor, consultant gastroenterologist, Dr Alex Concannon, clinical psychologist, and Elaine Neary, senior dietitian, will speak at the event. Advanced registration on tallaghtibdschool@gmail.com
6) Now in its 15th year, the "Big Toddle for Barnardos" is hosting a Teddy Bear-themed family fun day in Airfield Estate, Dundrum, Dublin, on Sunday, June 24th. The Big Toddle is a fun, sponsored half-mile walk for toddlers organised by a crèche, parent or childminder. Almost 350,000 children around the country have taken part since 2004, raising €3.7million. To register for the Big Toddle or to go to the Teddy Bear fun day, see barnardos.ie
sthompson@irishtimes.com
