University Centre Shrewsbury (UCS) is hosting a free lecture on the changes that take place in the adolescent brain and the importance of this period in people’s lives.

Gabrielle Rabie, Senior Lecturer and Lead for Specialist Community Public Health School Nursing at the University of Chester, will present the lecture on ‘The Adolescent Brain; Crazy by Design’ on Friday 22 April 2016.

The lecture will take place at UCS’ learning and research base, Guildhall in Shrewsbury, from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

Gabrielle will share the latest research on the development of the brain during adolescence, identified by the World Health Organisation as the period in human growth and development after childhood and before adulthood, from the age of 10 to 19.

Gabrielle said:

“The lecture explores the neuroscientific research in relation to changes in the adolescent brain, which is now said to be as great, if not greater than the changes in a child brain in the pre-school years.

“The World Health Organisation has recognised the need to acknowledge adolescence as a distinct and unique period in lifespan development describing it as the ‘Second Decade, Second Chance’ (WHO 2014). Indeed the Second Decade could provide the opportunity to engage with and empower young people to take control over their life chances.”

Adolescent health and wellbeing is a particular interest of Gabrielle’s as well as school nursing, public health and influenza.

She has qualifications in mental health and adult nursing and has experience in the acute and community sectors, in both fields.

Gabrielle has worked as a school nurse since 1984 in a variety of settings, latterly holding the post of School Nurse Co-ordinator and Professional Lead.

She has commissioning experience as a nurse member of the Central Cheshire Primary Care Group. Following a six month secondment to Cheshire Health Protection Agency, she was appointed the Public Health Lead Nurse for Central Cheshire Primary Care Trust where she held portfolios in Public Health in Nursing, as the Immunisation Lead and Flu Co-ordinator.

Gabrielle is currently working with Cheshire Constabulary developing a Continuing Professional Development ‘Train the Trainers’ package on ‘Understanding Adolescent Behaviour and Child Sexual Exploitation’. She is also working with Health Education North and a network of high schools in the north-west on a ‘Healthy Futures: Health, Wellbeing and Employability in Schools’ project.

To book places for the lecture email communications@ucshrewsbury.ac.uk or call 01743 297185.

Alternatively, people can visit the information point at Guildhall at Frankwell Quay (SY3 8HQ) which is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4pm on Fridays or Rowley’s House at Barker Street on Wednesdays between 11am and 2pm.

For further details on UCS events go to: www.ucshrewsbury.ac.uk/public-events.