Hello and welcome to the page covering Cast role in the Life Conference , entiled 'Connections'. You will find some Video footage, pictures and information about what is actually happening on the day; Plus links to Life Northern Irelands sites an its support service for helping those young people who find themselves preganant and needing support & help services. Cast has been involved since 2003 -2009.

Think Twice: a value based approach to Relationships and Sexuality

When Director of Cast, Niall McNally, was first asked five years ago to develop and deliver a Youth Relationships and Sexuality session at the Life NI Roadshow there were 4,000 young people attending the event. 

Now, partly due to the popularity of Think Twice, the Life NI Roadshow has grown to around 4,000 young people in some ten different venues all around Northern Ireland. Think Twice: has certainly been rated the “most popular” session with both pupils and teachers for the past five years in a row.

Niall telling his own story and his humorous way of communicating seems to really strike a chord with young people and teachers alike. (See comments below)  But underneath the laughter there are many important messages being communicated--- not least the real benefits to be gained from making a positive decision to abstain from sexually activity until such times as they are in a loving, secure and committed relationship.

Below are pictures of the conference in its different venues and at the end you'll see quotes taken from questions being asked by the young people on the days plus; evaluation comments from both pupils and teachers a like.

Niall McNally speaking on the ingredients of a healthy relationship and how to navigate the dangers of Hi Risk behaviours with its consequences plus spotting immature & unsafe relationships.


Below is some video fooatge of Niall delivering the "Think Twice" session at Life Northern Irelands Schools Conferences 2007.

Below Niall's "Think Twice" Talk in Belfast's whitla Hall to 1,000 teenagers in 2006

Antrim Forum Life Conference


Castlewellan Life Conference in St Patricks


Coleraine Life Conference in Town Hall



QUESTIONS that arising from the Think Twice input.

1. "How long do you think you should be in a relationship before you have sex?"
2. "You said make the choice weather to be sexually active and to make the right choice, what if you have already made the wrong chioce, what do you make then?"
3. "Is homosexual sex more dangerious than normal sex?"
4. "Niall did you ever think sex before marriage was wrong spiritually or morrally?"
5. How did your wife explain to you that she was a virgin?"
6. Do you have any serious regrets about your past? + are you relieved that you set boundries and made it work?"
7. "What do you do if your in a great relationship, but you know sex will come in eventually and your scared?"
8. How do you control your (Gas Cooker problem) -hormones & thought life? Please help me!!!"
9. "Was Deirdre worth waiting for?"
10. How long did you wait before propossing to Deirdre?"
11. How did your friend cope with having HIV?"
12. "How did Deirdre deal with knowing your sexual history?"
13. I am a 16 year old girl and I am a virgin and feel that having sex is a must. How can I ignore peer preasure. I have had to lie about weither I am sexually active.?"
14. Can some STI's be treated which ones?
15. "Do you think it is acceptable to have sex before marrige?"
16. "I've missed my period, I think 'm pregnant where can i get help?"
17. "Did you ever worry about your sexual partners becomming pregnant?"
18. "Did you have and STI and at what age did you loose your virginity?"
19. "How can we know the truth about a persons sexually history, they could be lieing?"
20. "Niall how did you earn Deirdre's respect and trust?"



EVALUATION COMMENTS FROM PUPILS:

1. "Niall you where brilliant thanks"

2. "That was just fantastic have you ever though of becomming a stand up commedian?"
3. "Thanks bigman that was really helpful"


EVALUATIONS FROM TEACHERS:

1. I feel you really fulfill your brief and Niall's street smart approach to this topic was very well handled."
2. "This was my first time at the conference and I was very very impressed."
3. "A long needed input and communicated so well."
4. Niall's session was excellent, I wish I had heard this talk when I was a younger, I learn a lot from this session myself"

Nerwy's Town Hall Conference



for more information on Life Northern Irelands work go to:
www.lifeni.org.uk
www.pregmatters.org.uk
www.preghelp.org.uk