Morley’s Mouthfuls - This week on Galway Talks (Tuam Creche Chaos, Living with Psychosis and Presidential Candidates

We began this week by exploring the chaos which had been unleased in Tuam, as nearly 100 families have been impacted by the foreclosure of the Happily Ever After creche. 

The childcare facility cannot continue to function as the owner's, Tuam Parish, have been hit with a bill of over 1 million euro if they decide to proceed with renovations of the building. 

A lot of families have been left in the lurch, and do not know where to turn as there are no places available in any of the crèches in the Tuam hinterland or further afield. 

It's may result in job losses and hard decisions for families who are scrambling to find alternative arrangements with family or further afield. 
I went out to Tuam last Saturday and spoke to a number of the families affected by this, as well as the Minister locally, Seán Canney.

What is pyschosis and is there stigma surrounding the condition?

We explored this subject in an open and honest way with Renmore man Conor Gavin.

"You're not a psychopath, you just experienced an episode of pyschosis" 

At just 16, Conor experienced his first psychotic episode and now, he’s the Co-Ordinator of Ireland’s new Psychosis Research Centre and founder of the Psychosis Arts Collective. 

Drawing on his lived experience, he is using his voice to drive change, challenge stigma, and show that recovery from psychosis is possible.

He spoke to Galway Talks about the advice the psychiatrist gave him after his first episode.  

It was a big week in the presidential election campaign as polling approaches on the 24th of October. 

Both candidates were on the programme with us this week. 

We started by interviewing independent candidate Catherine Connolly, discussing a number of issues from the campaign and some of key local issues here in Galway, including the likes of the mother and baby homes scandal the ring road in Galway and a question from one of our T.Y media week students. 

We also spoke to the Fine Gael candidate and former minister, Heather Humphreys, asking questions on repeating the seal on the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, her offices and more. 

Make sure to exercise your democratic rights and get to the polling booth on Friday next.

Also make sure to tune into our next Community Matters series programme in Mervue from the Credit Union.