Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015 by Youth Work Ireland

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ANNUAL REVIEW

Youth Work Ireland 2015 Annual Review This is an interactive document, to access links just hover your mouse / cursor over the link and click. To view videos within this document you must have Flash Player installed on your computer. You can install it by using this link https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/reader-acrobat-flash-player-download.html Otherwise, please click the Youtube button to view the video on Youth Work Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Youtube channel.

Together with young people we learn tools for life, foster dreams, offer hope and realise our greatest expectations Youth Work Ireland

Cover Image: Youth Work Ireland Louth IYMA Team, April 2015 Photo by Ruth Medjber ÂŠYouth Work Ireland 2015 Designed by Gina Halpin

www.youthworkireland.ie

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

Table of Contents

WE WORK WITH

116,060

502 CLUBS

& PROJECTS

YOUNG PEOPLE

1088

STAFF

6721

VOLUNTEERS

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

Introduction 6

FDYS 23

Foreword 7

Irish Youth Music Awards

Carlow Regional Youth Service

Kildare Youth Services

Programmes 8

Clare Youth Service

Youth Work Ireland Programmes

Youth Work Ireland Laois

Nollaig 2014 9

Development Update 27

KDYS 10

Hear Us Now Conference

CDYS Youth Work Ireland

Youth Work Ireland Louth

Voices of Youth

Young Travellers Project

TRYS 14

Youth Work Ireland Monaghan

Youth Work Ireland Roscommon

NCYCS 31

N./E. Galway 15

CCRYS 32

Youth Work Ireland Galway

Youth Work Ireland

Referendums 16

Participation Policy 2015

Youth Work Ireland Cork

Youth Work Ireland Co. Longford

Donegal Youth Service

Volunteer Achievement Awards

Youth Work Ireland Week 2015

National Youth Action Group

Political Briefing 20

WSTCYS 35

Learning & Sharing

Scene Magazine 36

Limerick Youth Service

International 36

Midlands Regional Youth Service

Our Team 37

Youth Work Ireland Meath

Contact Details 39

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

INTRODUCTION Dr Patrick J. Burke CEO Youth Work Ireland

he year gone by has been an important one for

young people in Ireland. For the first time in a long time a new young generation took a leading role in our democracy with it being widely accepted that young people drove the agenda on the Marriage Equality vote. A whole new generation became engaged on an issue and made a difference! Young people showed that when it was put up to them, they could forge progressive change. The challenge now is to harness this in the wider political system, to ensure that other key decisions embody the same spirit. For this new political generation though the lesson is also clear that they need to organise and campaign to get their views heard, sitting back or just engaging in social media is only part of the picture.

FOREWORD

Mairéad Cluskey President, Youth Work Ireland

he year gone by saw little let up in the activities and work of Youth Work Ireland and its Member Youth Services (MYS).

All around the country our MYS have continued to reach out to thousands of young people from all backgrounds. Our new online Annual Report fortunately means we can expand the publication to deal with everything that has happened! 2015 was a period of change with at least a halt to the above average cuts to youth services. We have also seen some very positive developments in broadening our own funding base to ensure that the welfare and interests of young people is not solely subject to the vagaries of state funding in the future.

We have seen the early green shoots of economic recovery which are of course welcomed by all, but those who work directly with young people know the price that was paid. Similarly, all respected commentators state that the burden of the recession and austerity fell disproportionately on the young through unemployment, emigration and drastically reduced opportunity.

The policy environment has continued to evolve with the consolidation of the Better Outcomes Brighter Futures Framework from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs supplemented by the National Youth Strategy. The previously published Participation Strategy now means that youth services have a clear road map to respond to. The news is also good as there is nothing alarming or surprising in these documents.

Youth services as always were at the forefront of this, encountering young people fearful for their futures and those in danger of losing hope. In the end of the day we played our role and cemented our place as a key piece of the local community infrastructure, which makes Ireland work even in the hardest of times. This resource must now be seen as a key pillar of any recovery.

Many youth workers, volunteers and young people will in fact say “this is what we have always been doing”. A Value for Money Review has also pointed the way on the future method of support for our work by the State. We remain willing and ready to engage in the highest standards of quality work and know that we have always lead in this area.

However, it must also be clear to those leaving and those seeking power that we cannot go back to business as usual. What local communities and young people in particular have taken cannot simply be forgotten. Young people must be the focus of any recovery strategy. A strategy for returned emigrants is also vital. A new deal in education and training which makes the idea of a youth guarantee real in each and every community is a must. Most of all the direct and unmediated voice of young people must be heard in all key decisions; only then can we be sure that this group will not be the ones to suffer in the future.

The breadth and depth of the work reflected in this report is a tribute to this unique organisation

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

which truly spans the four corners of this country. In fact, what is presented here is only a flavour of what goes on. We hope also by moving very directly and hopefully quite stylishly to a new online format we are illustrating how we can all embrace and celebrate new technologies and indeed new approaches in our work. We can all be confident about our future and the future of our country knowing that our organisation contributes so much.

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

CARLOW REGIONAL YOUTH SERVICE Mensana Festival

CARLOW

Carlow Regional Youth Service has been to the forefront in supporting the Mensana Mental Health Festival in Carlow in recent years. Carlow Mental Health Association introduced Mensana Fest in 2013 to raise awareness of mental health in Carlow. Mensana Fest offers people practical ways to maintain and improve their mental health. People from all walks of life are encouraged to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health during Mensana Fest.

REGIONAL YOUTH SERVICES

In 2014 Carlow Comhairle na nOg produced a video to promote individuality and the importance for young people to recognise their uniqueness. An inclusion workshop by the youth service in the Vault highlighted this work during the festival.

YOUTH WORK IRELAND PROGRAMMES Youth Work Ireland National Programmes for 2015 were launched in September 2014. It was agreed that we would hold the Youth Games and the Youth Factor in Athlone with the support of Midlands Regional Youth Service. The Youth Games were held in Athlone Institute of Technology on June 27th and the Youth Factor was held in the Dean Crowe Theatre on June 28th. The Youth Games was attended by 10 Local Youth Services, 39 youth clubs/ projects and over 380 young people. Athlone Institute of Technology was an amazing venue and the support staff on the day were fantastic. The facility provided everything that the Youth Games needed. Young people took part in soccer, basketball, chess, draughts, table tennis and quiz. The evaluations from the young people on the day were immensely positive The Youth Factor was held in The Dean Crowe Theatre. 7 Local Youth Services took part with 20 clubs/ projects and over 100 young people taking to the stage. The theatre was a lovely venue. Athlone Community Radio gave their support in doing interviews with participants and adjudicators. This year we had a new MC in Tallann Maguire (young person from Galway) and new judges: Joseph McCaul, Isolde Henehen and Avril Smyth. Each adjudicator brought a very different skill and perspective to the adjudicating. All of the young people and leaders were delighted with the changes and would like to see it continue for next year.

You will need Abode Flash Player installed on your device to watch this video within the document, otherwise you can watch it on the Youth Work Ireland Youtube Channel >>

Jingle Bell Jog The staff of Carlow Regional Youth Service donned their Christmas hats recently to launch their third annual Jingle Bell Jog. The 5km fun run /jog /walk will take place at 11am from Carlow Rowing Club on Sunday 6th December and is open to adults and children. The course is fast with small gradual climbs, will be chip timed and is ideal for established runners and is the perfect target for those starting their Couch to 5k training. A customised Jingle Bell Jog medal will be presented to everyone who completes the course. There will be first prizes for U18 male and female and adult male and female and also spot prizes for best fancy dress Christmas costume. All money raised for the event will go towards introducing young people to sport and physical activity. To register for the Jingle Bell Jog, log onto popupraces.ie and register online. Alternatively, pop into Carlow Regional Youth Service, Montgomery House, Athy Road or register on the day. Adults: €15 and children €5.

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

NOLLAIG 2014 Nollaig 2014 was launched in September 2014. Over 500 entries were received from 10 Local Youth Services. This year the standard of entries was very high and proved a very difficult process for our judges. The Nollaig 2014 overall winner and Youth Work Irelands Christmas e-card was Britney McDonagh, Beauty and d’beatz, Naas Youth Project, Kildare Youth Services. Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

KDYS A New Vision for Kerry’s Youth KDYS

CDYS

Kerry Diocesan Youth Service (KDYS) the leading Youth Service in the South-West launched its three-year strategic plan in June 2015. The plan outlines a number of strategic goals that will build on the organisation’s fourty-seven year history of supporting the young people of Kerry and the volunteers who helped run youth activities. The KDYS Strategic plan highlights the importance and enormous value of locally based youth services directed by local volunteers in delivering better outcomes for young people. Young people from across the Diocese played key roles at the launch of the KDYS Strategic Plan. They met Minister James Reilly and Minister Jimmy Deenihan on their arrival, giving them a tour of the youth centre in Killarney and sharing their experience of what it means to be a young person in Kerry. They highlighted that the role service plays a significant role in encouraging young people to play an active role in society. The plan sets out an ambition to have young people empowered, supported, connected and respected and ensuring that they feel safe and protected.

Increased Garda Referrals Prove New Kerry Service Success. An increase in the amount of referrals of young people made by Kerry Gardaí and other agencies is proving a success for the new KDYS and Gardaí service for the young people of Kerry. The new service entitled the KEY (Kerry empowering youth) Service; a Kerry Garda Youth Justice Divisional Model, is the result of a two-year long pilot programme led out by the KDYS and local Gardaí. The pilot saw the KDYS and local Gardaí work together to look at how they could increase the amount of support available to young people in the county. Prior to the pilot this type service was tied to 6 very specific geographical areas. The pilot programme looked at how the KDYS and Garda could extend the service out to the entire county using existing resources. Since the pilot was initiated 2 years ago, KDYS have engaged over 700 young people with 101 of those receiving a service that previously would not have received our support. The more young people referred to the service and getting support from a highly trained team of KDYS youth workers is proof the new service is working.

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YOUTH WORK IRELAND CDYS YOUTH WORK IRELAND Local Training Initiative’s (LTI’s) Over the past 3 years, CDYS Youth Work Ireland has partnered with SOLAS (previously FAS) to deliver 3 training programs in Mallow, Midleton & Fermoy. These Local Training Initiatives work with up to 45 participants per year, offering a second chance return to education. To date there has been approximately an 80% success rate of participants progressing onto further education or employment.

John Paul II Awards This year, 130 young people in the Diocese of Cloyne received the John Paul II Award. This award recognises

young people’s involvement in their parishes & communities. This event was hosted by CDYS & was a fantastic celebration of young people, with their schools & families.

MY PLACE, Midleton In challenging economic times, it is with huge pride that a local committee in Midleton secured a purpose built premises for the youth of Midleton. MY PLACE, is a spanking new youth centre which now houses CDYS Midleton. CDYS are privileged to have played a small part in the delivery of this beautiful & much needed facility.

OSSORY YOUTH Youth take positive action for their communities Taking a walk through Ossory Youth’s Desart Hall on June 23rd you couldn’t help but get excited with the buzz of achievement and pride as youth club members together with their youth leaders, family and friends were starting to gather. The occasion was Ossory Youths Community Awards which showcased projects from Mooncoin, The Swan, The Mill, Windgap and Hugginstown. The presentations from all five groups clearly demonstrated that young people have the ability and desire to positively contribute to life and wellbeing of their local communities. All they need is encouragement support and affirmation. The creativity, willingness and determination of the young people to do something good was evident. Their pride in their projects really shone through, ensuring everyone was impressed and intrigued as five unique projects were presented.

Mentoring Service Individual mentoring as an approach has been widely used in youth organisations across the globe to give young people a chance to develop a relationship with an adult, separate from parents and teachers, who is simply just there to listen and

offer friendly and supportive advice. Following a process of research and consultation, the Volunteer Mentoring Programme was established recently by Ossory Youth. Since then, our decision to develop the programme has been verified. Ossory Youth’s mentoring programme has provided much needed support and guidance to thirty young people on a one to one basis. This support was only possible by the dedication and commitment of eighteen adult volunteers, who gave up an hour a week to provide a friendly listening ear to a young person trying to keep up with modern adolescent life. Already in 2015, the referrals continue to come in on a regular basis. It’s clear that the Mentoring Programme is responding to a real and evident need and we are committed to growing this part of the service.

OSSORY YOUTH

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

VOICES OF YOUTH Integration – Is it Working for Young People? In March 2015 group members supported an integration conference for young people in association with Youth Work Ireland, Dublin City Council and The Department of Justice and Equality. Young people from Sudan, Poland, Bangladesh (Rohingya) Bosnia, Ireland, Romania and many other backgrounds came together at Dublin’s Mansion House with the Lord Mayor and Minister Aodhan O’Riordain to ask the question ‘integration - is it working for young people?’. The event, which was part of the Polska Eireann Festival, was organised by Joanna Siewierska and other members of Voices of Youth and gave young people from diverse backgrounds the chance to make recommendations directly to decision makers on how best to include them in integration policies now and in the future.

European Citizenship Voices of Youth continued its work of involving young people in advocacy work at the national level. For some time the group has focused on work relating to EU citizenship. In October 2014 the group visited Brussels as part of this work. The group met with the European Youth Forum to explore the concept of national and EU citizenship. The group also visited the main Institutions such as the European Parliament and the European Commission. A briefing on citizenship and populism was also provided by Foundation for European Progressive Studies. The groups future plans include work on employment issues for young people and devising a future youth manifesto for Election 2016.

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The young people examined what works well in Ireland and what needs to improve. Also participating in this event was experts from the New Communities Partnership, the Second Level Students Union and the Islamic Community in Ireland.

View Photo Album>>

top things to do in our clubs Day trips

Games Quizzes Snooker & Pool

Darts

“Children are always learning no matter what they are doing” Ballymore Youth Club, Midlands Regional Youth Service

“We try as a community to get local business people to talk to the kids about their life experiences and hobbies”. Monasterevin Youth Club, Kildare Youth Services

Movies Discos Video Games

Youth Work Ireland Profile of Member Clubs, Darragh Byrne & Maria Hill, July 2015

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

YOUTH WORK IRELAND ROSCOMMON N./E. GALWAY

TIPPERARY

During 2014 and 2015, Youth Work Ireland, Roscommon /N.E. Galway conducted a comprehensive regional needs assessment with young people and other stakeholders, leading to the development of a new Strategic plan. Both were presented in the format of DCYA 5 National outcomes and some of the key areas for service delivery identified. These were; young people’s mental health, supports during key transitions in their lives, enhancing the interpersonal skills of young people, addressing communication and relationship issues, social skills and conflict resolution, and the ongoing need for access to person centred youth information.

REGIONAL YOUTH SERVICE

2020 Youth Employment Programme 2014 saw the completion of a pilot CE initiative in TRYS for young people under 25 years old in Thurles which took place with 24 young people over 18 months. This programme is in partnership with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and the local Education Training Board (ETB) – Coláiste Éile, and saw 19 of the 24 participants getting employment or returning to education or training on completion. The 2020 programme focuses on getting young people who are long term unemployed into employment and training. Participants have received First Aid accreditation as well as completing manual handling training before being allowed out on work placement. There was also the introduction of soft skills training looking at issues around drug and alcohol misuse, mental and sexual health programmes, and art and film programmes. The group also did programmes in nutrition and well-being, as well as discussion and awareness around the issue of domestic violence. This type of training is very important as it allows the participant to debate and discuss any and all issues affecting them, their families and their communities as well as allowing them the use of their own

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voice! It also supports young people to address issues in their lives that may be stopping them from taking up or keeping employment. In addition to consistent work placement every week for the 18 months, the group also achieved their Certificate in Employment Skills whilst attending Coláiste Éile. Alongside the completion of the first programme TRYS recruited 24 participants for a new programme in April 2015 and they are now well into their 18 month programme. The youth service was also delighted to welcome one of the participants back recently for a brief visit from Spain where they are now doing EVS as a result of the programme.

YOUTH WORK IRELAND ROSCOMMON N.E. GALWAY

Yet again, our Castleblakeney youth group achieved both Bronze and Silver Gaisce Awards and enjoyed the camping/hostelling experiences while walking and cycling for miles during their adventure trip., Finally, it wouldn’t be a normal year without over 1,000 young people benefiting from the psycho-educational programmes and therapeutic counselling services

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TRYS

In Castlerea Youth Project, volunteers were facilitated to engage in a 10 day European Youth Project on the theme of Urban art taking place in Saragoza, Spain, describing it as ‘Life-changing’. While during Youth Work Ireland week, young project members painted the Castlerea Project windows using a marine theme, and this was in addition to a brilliant graffiti styled ‘Believ’ wall mural was created by young people and a local artist!

YOUTH WORK IRELAND GALWAY Galway City Comhairle na nÓg supported by Galway City Council, Youth Work Ireland Galway and An TaisceGreen Schools announced a competition for students in your school between the ages of 12 and 18 to take part in called ‘Make Your Own Way- How do you travel?’ The competition aims to capture what a car free Galway would look like. The project sought images of how young people travel in the city, e.g., how students get to and from school, promoting walking, cycling or using public transport. Students could do this through various media, such as a short video project,

photography or a poster/ painting, they could be creative in their vision. The project consisted of inviting students to film/ photograph/ poster on how they travel to school, in a local setting with a message on sustainable travel.

YOUTH WORK IRELAND GALWAY

East Galway Youth Project Ballinasloe got busy with their Easy Peasy Cookery and Craft programme running on Wednesdays from 4.45-6pm in the Youth Work Ireland Building, Marina Point....busy with creating fruit skewers and homemade pizza....trying new tastes and flavours with yummy creations!!

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

REFERENDUMS

2015 saw two referendums in Ireland one on Marriage Equality and one of the Age of Presidential Candidates. Youth Work Ireland played a significant role in both campaigns.

Presidential Age Unfortunately, this issue received little attention due to the major focus on the issue of Marriage Equality. As a youth organisation and despite the Government ignoring more pressing issues like votes for 16 year olds we felt it was important to campaign on this issue. In the end of the day if a person is deemed eligible to be a Minister in the Government at 21 making some very onerous decisions then there is no reason why they cannot be considered for President where in reality the duties are actually less demanding. The proper place for arguments about young people’s suitability for the office in our view was in a presidential election campaign where of course the electorate are free to reject a candidate on this basis, however it should not be hard wired in to our basic law that a person who is old enough to be Taoiseach cannot be our first citizen. Looking at political and social affairs today we can see many people under 35 who should not be ruled out of at least standing for the office. In the end of the day if we want to promote young people and involve them more in political life having such a discriminatory provision at

Votes at 16 You will need Abode Flash Player installed on your device to watch this video within the document, otherwise you can watch it on the Youth Work Ireland Youtube Channel >>

Marriage Equality We were very happy to join with a number of other children and youth groups to support the call for a Yes Vote in the Marriage Equality Referendum. Our campaign along with other groups focused on the need for a more tolerant and progressive country and the need to recognise the diversity of family and other structures which now exist. Marriage is a unique legal status conferred by and recognised by governments the world over. It’s about love, commitment and protecting loved ones. It brings with it a host of reciprocal obligations, rights and protections. Yet it is more than the sum of its legal parts; it is also a cultural institution. Being able to use the word itself is hugely important, conveying clearly that you and your life partner love each other. For many people it represents the ultimate expression of love and commitment between two people, and everyone understands that. No other word has that power, and no other word can provide that protection.

We also highlighted the failure to have a referendum on Votes at 16 which we felt would increase cynicism about the political process particularly amongst young people along with undermining the very valuable work of the Constitutional Convention. Extending the franchise to 16 was a concrete way to involve these people in the process and would have been highly symbolic.

The Scottish referendum illustrated how powerful an engagement tool extending the franchise can be with record turnout levels amongst 16 and 17 year olds, politicians had to engage with these voters in that process. Clearly if there were a pilot or “staging post” of votes at 16 for local and European elections we could see how the change worked and if it were successful constitutional change would be easier soon after.

In April 2013 Youth Work Ireland hosted a Children’s and Young Peoples Constitutional Convention aimed at consulting 66 young people under 18 to address the fact that the Government did not allow for this. The secretariat of the National Constitutional Convention were very co-operative and the young people involved presented their findings to the final meeting of the actual Convention. There was practically unanimous (45-1) support for Marriage Equality at the Children’s and Young Peoples Convention. This goes to the heart of acceptance that it is ok to be lesbian or gay, because being lesbian or gay is about who we fall in love with and want to share our lives with.

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Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

YOUTH WORK IRELAND CORK YOUTH WORK IRELAND CORK

DONEGAL YOUTH SERVICE

Cork Rappers Progress

Social Impact Award

5 young Cork rappers involved in Youth Work Ireland Cork’s rap workshops facilitated by Garry McCarthy (GMCBeats) have been selected out of hundreds of entries for the TV auditions of this year’s Junior Eurovision. They are in with a chance of representing Ireland in the finals in Bulgaria. The original song, “Is Maith Liom É”, is the only rap entry and performed completely in the Irish language. The original English version, “I Like It”, was written, produced and recorded at GMCBeats/ Music Generation studio kabin in Knocknaheeny as part of the Webwise anti-cyberbullying campaign and it was performed at Dublin Castle in February 2015 for Safer Internet Day and the music video (created by Limbo) went viral in the days after.

Donegal Youth Service was thrilled that one if its board members was selected for an impact award by Social Entrepreneurs Ireland. Gary Doggett and the Pro-Social Driver’s Programme has won the Impact Award at Social Entrepreneurs Ireland 2015. The programme was developed with a view to eliminating senseless loss of lives by changing the attitudes of dangerous drivers through education and rehabilitation. It works by supporting individuals in accepting responsibility for their actions. Participants are educated in the areas of social responsibility, emotional control, driving under the influence and the consequences of antisocial driving behaviour.

Teens can GYM for just €1! A Teen Gym is available for young people aged between 13 – 19 every Wednesday for just €1 per week at Youth Work Ireland Cork. This takes place at Leisure World in Churchfield on Wednesdays at 2.45pm. This Teen Gym is run by Youth Work Ireland Cork in Gurranabraher and supported by the HSE Health Action Zone (HAZ). Youth Worker Joe Curtin stated that ” This is a great opportunity for the young people in the Churchfield/ Gurranabraher area, to have the gym every week for just €1. I would be jumping at the chance.” YWIC also run a Soccer group for both boys and girls between the ages 10 – 15 every week at the Sam Allen pitches. For more info on any of these groups, please contact Joe on 086/ 827 48 63 or Youth Work Ireland Cork .

benefits and outcomes young people achieve by participating in our youth clubs

30% 25% 25%

Socially Personal Socially Devel opment Included Connected

10%

Sense of Community

Mental Health

DONEGAL YOUTH SERVICE

It has already made a big difference in Donegal with an incredible success rate in reducing re-offending among drivers referred from the courts. Nationally the re-offending rate stands at 1 in 3. Among participants on the Pro-Social Driver’s Programme it is 1 in 100. The regard in which the course is held is evident from the fact that Judge Paul Kelly and Garda Inspector Michael Harrison were at the awards ceremony in Dublin’s Mansion House on Tuesday evening. It is hoped that this success will help with plans to roll out this innovative and highly effective programme across the country, making Ireland’s roads safer for everyone.

Ombudsman for Children launches Donegal web safety survey results The new Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, launched the results of a Web Safety Survey in Donegal. The survey explores online activity of young people and their parents/guardians in Co Donegal. The survey was commissioned through the Donegal Web Safety Working Group, a working group of the Donegal Children and Young People’s Services Committee, which has members from Donegal ETB (Chair), HSE Health Promotion, Donegal Domestic Violence Service and Youth organisations. The report was undertaken completed by young people and staff and volunteers from Donegal Youth Council and Donegal Youth Service. The Report was launched by the Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon in Donegal Youth Service, Port Road, Letterkenny on Monday 12th October. The survey on “Young People and Internet Use” targeted young people from Donegal between the age of 8 and 17 years old. Youth councillors distributed questionnaires across Post-Primary schools in the county, with a small number also completed through youth clubs.

Youth Work Ireland Profile of Member Clubs, Darragh Byrne & Maria Hill, July 2015

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Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

LIMERICK YOUTH SERVICE Junior leadership Training Twenty-four young people from across Limerick spent their midterm taking part in a Junior Leadership training programme with Limerick Youth Service at the Burren, Co. Clare. The teens, who are members of Askeaton-Ballysteen, Fedamore, Granagh and St. Senan’s/Foynes Youth Clubs respectively, enjoyed two days of workshops and some outdoor activities at the Burren Outdoor Education Centre. Limerick Youth Service’s Junior Leadership Programme equips young people with the necessary skills and confidence to assume leadership roles in their youth clubs and community. Away from the classrooms the young people participated in a number of activities including caving, rock climbing and kayaking as well as some good old fashioned board games at night! With young people from four different parts of Limerick the training programme offered them an opportunity to get to know one another and share ideas of what works in their respective clubs.

LIMERICK YOUTH SERVICE

New Youth Club

YOUTH WORK IRELAND POLITICAL BRIEFING Youth Work Ireland’s Annual Political WEEK 2015 Youth Work Ireland Week is a celebration of young people and youth services. This year’s events took place from April 18th - April 25th and saw thousands of young people take part in over 100 events around Ireland. Activities included quizzes, family days, discos, sports and arts events. The theme this year was young people participating in decision making, as voted on at last year’s Consensus Conference. This year clubs and projects around the country participated in the week’s themed activity Hear Us Now, which was influenced by the decision of Government not to hold a referendum on reducing the voting age. Clubs and projects took part in the activity by decorating and writing the issues and concerns they felt were the most important facing young people in Ireland today. These issues named by young people fed directly into the Political Briefing and Consensus Conference.

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Briefing took place Buswell’s Hotel on April 23rd as part of Youth Work Ireland Week. Each year this event is organised on behalf of our Member Youth Services and allows for informal networking with members of the Oireachtas This year’s event was the most successful in terms of attendance by representation from both Member Youth Services and the Houses of the Oireachtas. In total over 85 Dáil & Senate members attended with 4 Ministers including Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly, Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly, Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan & Junior Minister for Finance, Simon Harris. This year our “Askes” to politicians were: 1. Support publically a YES vote in the Referendum on the Presidential Age Referendum. 2. Support the role of the voluntary sector as the prime provider of youth work in Ireland. 3. Ensure active student councils in every school.

LEARNING & SHARING This year we ran 4 Learning & Sharing practice workshops in Carlow, Sligo, Tipperary and Navan. At each event workers, volunteers and young people were invited to share their experiences of youth participation, what they felt were the challenges and what were the successes. We used a Storyboard method and the Lundy Model of Youth Participation Space - Voice - Audience Influence to encourage young people to reflect on how they participate in decision making within their clubs, projects and wider community.

Limerick Youth Service was thrilled to announce that registration for one of Limerick Youth Service’s latest youth clubs will take place at the Daughters of Charity School, Lisnagry on September 11th. Staff from Limerick Youth Service were on hand to answer questions and highlight the social, personal and educational benefits that membership of a youth club can have on a young person. The youth club, which is based at the Daughters of Charity, Lisnagry, is open to young people from 11-16yrs from Ahane, Annacotty, Castletroy, Lisnagry, Monaleen and the surrounding communities. Limerick Youth Service currently supports close to 30 youth clubs and has over 40 years experience in developing and supporting these ever popular Friday night haunts.

These workshops were very successful with nearly 300 people attending and we received 35 storyboard examples of good youth participation practices, 2 of which were later made into short films. The Learning & Sharing workshops create a space which allows staff, volunteers and young people from different clubs and projects to come together in a peer-to-peer support and networking setting. These events are proving to be one of the highlights of the Youth Work Ireland calendar each year.

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

MIDLANDS REGIONAL YOUTH SERVICE Music Generation

MIDLAN DS REGIONAL YOUTH SERVICE

Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath’s exciting partnership with Mullingar School Completion Programme and Midlands Regional Youth Service (Mullingar) sees the development of the Mullingar Music Jam, a hub for music tuition for all ages. This work has entered its second academic year with a dramatic increase in opportunities for children and young people to access performance music education across Offaly and Westmeath. Building on the success of their school-based Kodály programme, the introduction of the Instrument Outreach Programme brings yet another route for young people to access performance music education across the counties. Through its work with schools and other agencies, new partnerships are being created to increase access for children and young people into MGOW’s Instrument Outreach Programme. A great example of this is MGOW’s exciting partnership with Mullingar School Completion Programme and Midlands Regional Youth Service (Mullingar) in the development of the Mullingar Music Jam. Building on the success of the Summer Music Jam, Mullingar Music Jam is developing into a hub where youngsters of all ages can access music tuition on a variety of instruments in a relaxed supportive atmosphere under the expert guidance of MGOW tutors.

YOUTH WORK IRELAND MEATH

LGBT Support, Navan Youth Work Ireland through its Member Youth Services provide direct youth work supports and services to LGBT young people, who either identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender or, are questioning their sexuality. Much of this important work is supported by BelongTo – which provides training and support to our Member Youth Services in this area of work. Youth Work Ireland Meath offers LGBT support services with groups for teens and 18-25 years of age.

YOUTH WORK IRELAND MEATH

Pride of Place is an all-island competition which is directed towards recognising improvements by local communities to create civic pride in their area. The competition focus is on people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their area. Each year, over 100 entrants representing cities, towns and villages from throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are nominated by their local authorities to take part in the competition. Youth Work Ireland Meath congratulates their Youth Forum, represented by Jake, Nicholas and Daniel, coming 1st place at Navan Municipal District Pride of Place Awards. They’re now heading off to the County finals.

FDYS FDYS Celebrating 50 Years - 2015

Better Together Young people from Athlone and Westmeath Comhairle na nÓg have produced a film depicting how they feel that Midlands Regional Youth Service helps them to achieve the 5 National Outcomes for Children and Young People. This film has been entered into the Better Together Competition and can be viewed here>>

22 Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

FDYS, the local voluntary youth service in County Wexford is celebrating 50 years of service to young people, families and the community in 2015. FDYS sees it as an achievement to have continued supporting young people for that length of time. Not only has the work continued, but it has grown, it has improved and it has become essential in the lives of so many. The organisation has been approached by many young people, volunteers and adults who tell them about the great things they have done for them.

Love the Life You Live As part of World Suicide Prevention Day, FDYS, the Youth Information Centre in Francis Street, Wexford hosted a ‘Love the Life You Live’ event on Wednesday, September 9. The event kicked off with a workshop on Resilience and Hope

followed by two hours of music from an array of local talent and great food. It concluded with a twilight candlelight walk from Francis Street to the Bullring culminating in a circle of life. A prize was also given to the winner of the FDYS Facebook little things campaign, a mental health and well-being initiative run by the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention which focused on highlighting the little things that make us smile. The campaign highlighted the fact that everyone experiences difficult times in their lives, and that when we do there are some simple little things that can make a big difference to how we feel. These little things can help us to cope with life’s many challenges. This event was a small step in raising the awareness of young people, but saw it is extremely important and necessary.

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

KILDARE YOUTH SERVICES IRISH YOUTH MUSIC AWARDS

IRISH YOUTH MUSIC AWARDS

The Irish Youth Music Awards (IYMAs) 2015 programme was our biggest to date with over sixteen different regions from across Ireland participating and over 600 young people attending the national day. The National Day was held in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. A large scale press campaign was implemented for the first time and features and reviews were secured in national and regional media, entertainment press and also a TV appearance on RTE Two Tube with the IYMAs recipient Jake Mc Ardle performing and being interviewed on a prime time slot which broadcasts to over 500,000 homes nationally. A feature was also secured in TheJournal.ie. As part of the National Day we developed strategic partnerships with third level music college BIMM Dublin this led to having an educational hub on the day which included a drumming workshop, a vocal workshop and a panel discussion for advice with music managers, label owners and performers. We also worked with Music Maker Dublin who provided all the backline and some prizes for our raffle. Our panel this year that judged the IYMAs consisted of John Mc Callion (Warner Music Ireland), Brian Coney (Thin Air Magazine and site), Ken Allen (Faction Records) and Aaron Casey (staff member in IMRO and representing on behalf of Music Matters on the day). We got the panel to feed back to the young people at the end of the day as well as being available for questions after the event.

HALO Project Kildare Youth Service’s HALO stands for Helping Adolescents Learn and Overcome substance misuse. The HALO Project is a free confidential service that supports young people with problematic drug / alcohol misuse. The service is free and confidential, to help any young person who wants help with their substance use. The catchment area is County Kildare and West Wicklow. Somebody might come to the project to help stop taking drugs or alcohol, to reduce their use, to manage their use or just learn a little more about your substance use. It doesn’t matter why you have come through the door, the project is glad you did!!! Every young person is welcomed, respected and not judged.

KILDARE YOUTH SERVICES

Naas Child and Family Project The Naas Child and Family Project is part of Kildare Youth Services and in partnership with the HSE is providing a community based Family Support Service to parents and children in Naas since 1999. The project works in a holistic way to strengthen family relationships and well-being. NCFP promotes a more equal and inclusive society in partnership with children and families, the local community and other agencies. Children are supported to reach their potential and to value themselves within their own families and communities. Parents are essential in making this happen for their children. The Referral Committee includes the Principal Social Worker of the HSE, a School Principal and the Project Leader. They will meet at least five times a year and when need determines.

This year’s IYMAs album was recorded and produced in professional recording studio Sun Studios (U2, The Coronas and Rhianna have recorded here) in Temple Bar and was mastered by professional mastering engineer Richard Dowling at Wav.

You will need Abode Flash Player installed on your device to watch this video within the document, otherwise you can watch it on the Youth Work Ireland Youtube Channel >>

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Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

CLARE YOUTH SERVICE Young People from Clare Comhairle na nÓg and members of Clare Youth Service projects around the county took part in a national initiative to encourage young people to look after their mental health. Let’s Go Mental was a series of 31 regional events for teenagers to promote positive mental health through music, sport, the arts and other fun activities. The project was the top recommendation from the teen members of Comhairle na nÓg at Dáil na nÓg 2013. Young people from the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive came up with the title and concept for Let’s Go Mental and developed a template for all 31 events, based on Headstrong’s ‘Five-a-Day for your Mental Health.’

CLARE

YOUTH

SERVICE

The recommended five-a-day are Connect; Reach out to others; Connect with family, friends and that ‘one good person’ in your life; Be Aware; Be curious of the wonders of the world around you. Be aware of yourself. Be mindful, Get Moving: Be physically active. Find an activity you enjoy and release those feel-good endorphins that improve your mood and mental health, Give: Do something nice for others or for your community. Volunteer. Give something back, Get Involved: Have a say in matters affecting you. Join clubs and groups. Make a contribution. Have a sense of purpose. To mark the campaign, Clare Youth Service and Comhairle na nÓg ran a series of events encouraging Positive Mental Health including live bands, music, workshops laced with yummy food, crazy imaginative activities and lots of good old fashioned fun!

YOUTH WORK IRELAND LAOIS YOUTH WORK IRELAND LAOIS

Charlie Flanagan and James Reilly Visit the Youth Café Youth Work Ireland Laois were delighted to welcome Dr James Reilly (Minister for Children & Youth Affairs), and Mr. Charlie Flanagan (Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade), to their Youth Café recently. A great afternoon of music, games, pizza, chat & fun was had by all. The youth service was thrilled to see so many of their wonderful young club members, students from Laois schools, volunteers, club leaders & staff. Thank you to all involved.

Let’s Go Mental in Laois On Sunday 12th July 2015, Laois Comhairle na n’Og presented their campaign to promote positive mental health among young people. “Let’s Go Mental” a free family fun music event took place on the Civic Plaza Portlaoise. Many thanks to Laois County Council, and also our bands, Headlining act Transmitter also Comhaltas, Music Generation, Alannah Murray & Vendetta Love. Thank you to all the families who attended and to our young people. Well done to Youth Work Ireland Laois for all their hard work on this event and many other Laois Comhairle na nÓg projects.

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE 2015 saw progress on developing new income streams with the successful establishment of a number of partnerships, projects and campaigns. Over the coming years these newly developed income streams will further develop, grow and contribute to the overall sustainability of Youth Work Ireland. The key campaigns which have been established include the “Youth Investment Scheme” - a committed giving campaign which offers the public the opportunity to invest in youth work, and its impacts across the country. The year also saw the highly successful development of a Christmas Raffle, which helped to generate significant income which benefits directly our National Programmes, Regional Member Youth Services, and indirectly our Club network. A template has also been established based around an annual “Big Ticket Draw”, which in 2015 was centred around the Rugby World Cup. A number of significant partnerships with the corporate sector were established in 2015, and which merit specific mention and thanks. Google provided 2 Googlers for 5 days to work on 2 specific IT projects, this included the design of training manuals and materials which will multiply and cascade the benefits across the organisation. The partnership with Google has also generated 3 financial contributions and significant support through the awarding of a “Google Adword” account to Youth Work Ireland. Exigent Networks selected Youth Work Ireland to be their Charity of The Year partner for 2015 and organised a highly successful walk of The Old Kenmare Road in September. Deloitte selected Youth Work Ireland to benefit from their “Impact Day” where Deloitte expertise and highly skilled personnel were made available for a day to assist Youth Work Ireland with 2 strategic projects. It is the third year Deloitte have supported Youth Work Ireland through this. Highly significantly, State Street, awarded a grant of $36,000 to Youth Work Ireland to begin the scaling, and eventual national offering and roll out of the highly innovative “Work to Learn” programme, originally designed by our Member Youth Service based in Kilkenny, Ossory Youth. Youth Work Ireland would like to acknowledge the support of all of our corporate and business partners and in particular Business in The Community. Over the past few years Business in The Community have shown fantastic support to Youth Work Ireland.

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DEVELOPMENT UP DATE 2015

Other income streams were also established, which will be built on and strengthened in 2016 and beyond, including the undertaking of a sponsored walk to Croagh Patrick. This will be further developed into a signature, annual Youth Work Ireland event over the coming years. Another important development was the creation of a partnership with Infusie, which has seen the establishment of an exclusive, online, monthly members draw, offering the public a fantastic opportunity to support youth work and also win fantastic prizes and experiences on a monthly basis. Progress has also been made on Social Enterprise, with the development of a strategic partnership with SEDCo, the Social Enterprise Development Company, an application for start-up and seed funding has been made. Youth Work Ireland was also successful in securing support from the Irish Youth Foundation, which has very generously awarded €10,000 to the Irish Youth Music Awards, and which will significantly assist with further growing and scaling of the programme in 2016 and beyond. Another key area of growth, and future development, is that of European Funding and European projects. In 2015 Youth Work Ireland secured funding under the Erasmus+ programme for an all island project based around working with young Travellers. Youth Work Ireland was also a successful participant in a number of other European projects with partners from across Europe and has submitted applications in late 2015 as lead partner under both the Erasmus+ and Causeway funding streams. We are committed to actively promoting European projects across the federation and will continue to actively engage with our strategic partners in “the 5 Nations” and also with our National Agency, and strategic partner, Leargas, to maximise opportunities for all our Members to participate in the many exciting opportunities at European level. 2016 and beyond will see further development across multiple income streams, and platforms, including online, with continued incremental progress being made towards sustainability and growth.

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

YOUTH WORK IRELAND LOUTH

YOUTH WORK IRELAND NATIONAL CONSENSUS CONFERENCE HEAR US NOW Our national consensus conference took place in Dublin Castle on Saturday October 3rd. The theme of this year’s event was Young People Participating in Decision Making and was an opportunity for Youth Work Ireland to hear from young people, practitioners, volunteers, experts and policy makers, and to share good practice and challenges of youth participation. Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly officially opened the event and speakers on the day included Fergal Lynch, Dr Catherine Forde, Anne O’Donnell amongst others. The day was expertly MC-ed by 2 young people from our Member Youth Services Danielle Gayson and Glenn Alcock. From the planning stages to being on the stage in Dublin Castle, young people played a vital role in the delivery of this successful event.

YOUTH WORK IRELAND LOUTH Louth Gets Musical The Spirit Store was the centre of musical activity for young people in Louth in March with the eagerly awaited local selection night in Youth Work Ireland Louth for the Irish Youth Music Awards. MC for the evening was John Kearney, who introduced the Irish Youth Music Awards director Barry Lennon, who quipped that he had ‘never done so much travelling to the four corners of Ireland to be present at all the regional events’. Louth was one of several locations across the island of Ireland where events were being held. Of course little were participants to know that the recipient of the Irish Youth Music Awards 2015 was to go to Team Louth and Jake Mc Ardle, the trophy was well deserved.

Through the National Hear Us Now Campaign which ran throughout 2015 young people had identified the areas of life and issues they felt were most important to them in being part of decision making. The workshops at the conference addressed these issues and brought together young people, youth workers and externals into a safe space where the combination of views and opinions were heard and shared by all.

Crossing the Divide As part of its north south work The Craobh Rua Youth Project in Dundalk took part in a series of drama residentials. In these the project participants – from the Shankill and Falls Women’s Centres in Belfast, Monaghan Youth Theatre and - went on to devise, rehearse and produce their own screenplays, inspired by the real-life stories which had been shared with them. Remarking on the impact of the project on the young participants, Caroline Flanagan - Youth Leader, Craobh Rua Youth Project, Muirhevnamor, Dundalk said: “Sharp Focus has given our young people a lot more confidence - they are amazed at what they have achieved. Some of them are coming up with ideas for their own projects now and starting to think about a career in the film industry, something they would never have dreamt of before.

You will need Abode Flash Player installed on your device to watch this video within the document, otherwise you can watch it on the Youth Work Ireland Youtube Channel >>

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Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

YOUTH WORK IRELAND MONAGHAN YOUTH

NORTH CONNAUGHT YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

NORTH

Drumshambo Youth TV

WORK IRELAND MONAGHAN

Back to the Future It was back to the future for Youth Work Ireland Monaghan in Carrickmacross on October 16th with the arrival of Marty Mc Fly’s DeLorean at the Back to the Fiddlers event in aid of the local Youth Café. The over 18s event featured option fancy dress in 50’s or 80’s or western style with music from Beatroot and concessions to Vanity Night Club. Photographs were also available with an original DeLorean in the town and a raffle was held for a spin in this very special car!. The event culminated with the screening of Back to the Future on Back to the Future Day.

Young people in Leitrim got a great opportunity to try out becoming a TV personality for themselves.

CONNAUGHT

The Leitrim Youth Project called out to any budding TV personalities to give it a try in July. Young people between 10 and 14 had the opportunity to be TV presenters or camera operators during the Joe Mooney Summer School, a week long traditional festival of Irish music, song and dance named after the man who did so much to promote the cause of Leitrim and his beloved town.

COMMUNITY

YOUTH & SERVICES

The opportunity was facilitated by North Connaught Youth & Community Service in the BASE Youth Café in Drumshambo.

College Support Going to college can represent a major challenge for many young people. It can involve leaving home or entering a new environment with new challenges. Young people need support at this critical time and Youth Work Ireland Monaghan organised various events this summer. In conjunction with county Monaghan Libraries a series of “Going to College Evenings” were organized which covered areas like finding accommodation, the SUSI grants system, the costs of going to college, key dates relating to the CAO and acceptance of places and various insights in to college life. The events took place in libraries in Clones, Monaghan and Carrickmacross. Other events in Castleblayney involved help on finance, cookery and a take home pack!

BEST PRACTICE WITH YOUNG TRAVELLERS You will need Abode Flash Player installed on your device to watch this video within the document, otherwise you can watch it on the Youth Work Ireland Youtube Channel >> Youth Work Ireland has successfully entered in to a partnership to develop international best practice in work with young Travellers, an area in which our members have considerable experience. The project is funded by ERASMUS+ through Leargas as a project developing co-operation and innovation for good practices. The partnership also includes Youth Action Northern Ireland, Involve and An Munia Tober also in Northern Ireland. The work over two years will see a number of transnational meetings with the organisations and with young Travellers to reflect on best practice and to examine methods and tools for improving work in this important area.

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Leitrim Light Orchestra A group of extremely talented young Leitrim musicians have been causing quite a stir around the country. The Leitrim Light Orchestra have been playing to audiences up and down the country including The Irish Youth Music Awards at the Aviva Stadium and the Youth Work Ireland National Conference. The band of musicians, who are affiliated to the North Connaught Youth & Community Services and play their lively set under their musical director and founder, Devon MacGillivary. Set up just a year ago by Ms MacGillivary, this world music string ensemble has gone from strength to strength. The group consists of both boys and girls aged between seven and seventeen years of age from County Leitrim and the surrounding areas.

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

CANAL COMMUNITIES REGIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CANAL COMMUNITIES REGIONAL YOUTH SERVICE

YOUTH WORK IRELAND CO. LONGFORD

National Youth Strategy Launch

YOUTH WORK IRELAND COUNTY LONGFORD

It was a great day in Bluebell Youth Project in October with the launch of the National Youth Strategy by Minister James Reilly. Well done Martin, Leah and Rebecca for welcoming people to the project and explaining what we do. Also Rue and Hannah gave a brilliant performance on stage. Really talented young people. Very proud of them.

Our Rights…In Geneva Every number of years the UN reviews Irelands record on children’s rights. The Children’s Rights Alliance and UNICEF facilitated young people to prepare their own report and attended the hearings in Geneva. A great time was had in Geneva by the Picture Your Rights group including Leah Walsh from Bluebell Youth Project mixing the serious business of presenting their report on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and enjoying some sunshine. Fintan O’Dwyer from Tipperary Regional Youth Service and the Youth Work Ireland National Youth Action group was also there!

YOUTH WORK IRELAND PARTICIPATION POLICY 2015 It has long been a vision of Youth Work Ireland to strengthen young people’s roles throughout the various structures of the federation and to facilitate real participation. Our AGM in 2014 saw a unanimous decision supporting a new panel for the national board specifically for young people. This means that the future governance of the federation will be stewarded with representation from all of our members…. Young People, Volunteers and Staff. Importantly our new policy is a reflection of the excellent standard of youth participation that already exists throughout the federation and provides a clear roadmap of how to sustain and develop this essential practice. The policy is also underpinned by the vision, mission and values of Youth Work Ireland. This is a great opportunity for us all to establish a new way of thinking and working together to ensure the best opportunities exist for young people in our communities throughout Ireland. Youth Work Ireland’s vision is a world full of possibilities for all young people. Our policy provides an extremely important framework for us all so that we can take on this new direction in a coherent, considered and respectful fashion. The policy is an essential tool in guiding us in our understanding of what ‘participation’ means and how to practically achieve it in a genuine and meaningful way.

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Promoting Positive Health at Scoil Mhuire Promoting positive mental health is a key focus of youth services today. Due to their community basis and reach into young peoples’ lives, youth services can offer real help to young people who want to sometimes say they are not OK. Mark Nobel from Youth Work Ireland Co. Longford joined with Clinical Psychologist Shane Martin, Occupational Psychologist Paul Marsden, Jim Maher of Foróige, representatives from Drugs and Alcohol Awareness, and former Longford Town soccer player, Sean Prunty in Scoil Mhuire in Longford for a positive mental health meeting in March. The event highlighting the five emotional ‘wells’ common in holistic practice; cognitive, emotional, creative, spiritual and physical.

Longford Clean Up July saw a concerted effort by residents and Longford County Council to improve the Palace Crescent and Cluain Ard housing estates. The Community Development Team, Rural Resource Worker, Youth Work Ireland Co. Longford, the Rural Social Scheme and the TÚS initiative, all part of LCRL, took part in the initiative. While the adult residents worked, Youth Work Ireland Co. Longford engaged the young people from the estates in outdoor recreational activities on the green of Palace Crescent. The youth service has been working in the estate over the past while and intend to provide a weekly service for the young people in the area.

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

VOLUNTEER ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

WATERFORD & SOUTH TIPPERARY

VOLUNTEER ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2015

VAA 2015 Recipients were:

YOUTH

Our Annual Youth Work Ireland Volunteer Achievement Awards 2015 happened as part of our National Conference “Hear Us Now” in Dublin Castle on 3rd October. This event is one of the highlights of the Youth Work Ireland calendar each year.

Leading the Way Award Recipient Sean Dorrian, Fanad Youth Club, Donegal Youth Service

SERVICES

At local and national level volunteers have helped shape youth work policy and practice. We are very lucky to have over 7,000 dedicated volunteers who help out in our youth clubs and services each week. Through their enthusiasm and dedication, they inspire young people and support them to realise their own potential.

Stepping Up Award Recipient Danny Duarte, Alf Project, Midlands Regional Youth Service Making a Difference Award Recipient John McNamara, Mullingar EYE GYPD, Midlands Regional YS Behind the Scenes Award Recipient Mary English, Limerick Youth Service The Extra Mile Award Recipient

COMMUNITY

WATERFORD & SOUTH TIPPERARY COMMUNITY YOUTH SERVICE After many years 2015 saw the retirement of long time Regional Director of Waterford and South Tipperary Community Youth Service, Eoin O’Neill. Eoin’s time with the organisation went back to long before most, including himself, would like to admit. He is widely recognised as a great champion of youth work and an innovative manager and leader who developed a very distinctive approach to working with young people. The National Office of Youth Work Ireland were very sad to see Eoin retire and held a reception in his honour with a wide attendance from the organsiation past and present. Similarly, he was honoured locally in Waterford. Good Luck Eoin Steven Heatherton and Dale Phelan were selected to represent Waterford at the 2015 Irish Youth Music Awards. April 10th was the local live send off gig, where other local acts performed. There was great support in evidence on the night. The gig was on in the youth café in Waterford and there was snacks and drinks as well as hot drinks were available.

Niall Sheridan, Donegal Youth Service The President of Youth Work Ireland Award John Clarke & Brendan Dale, Limerick youth Service Siobhan Cotter Award Eoin O’Neill Waterford & South Tipperary Community Youth Service

NATIONAL YOUTH ACTION GROUP

The role of the National Youth Action Group is act as the youth voice in the governance of Youth Work Ireland. The group actively engage and in the design and delivery of National Office activities from programmes to the Consensus Conference. The group also aim to connect young people throughout Ireland through interacting with young people at Youth Work Ireland events. The group contributed significantly to the completion of the Youth Participation Policy and carried out a survey for the board on the desired timing of the Youth Work Ireland National Programmes. A presentation was made to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs about young people’s perception of the EU and how to better promote the EU to young people in Ireland. The group contributed to the Nation Consensus Conference on Youth Participation and young members got involved with the UNICEF/ Childrens Rights Alliance Picture Your Rights Project Group earlier this year. One member went to Geneva and presented in front of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

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Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

INTERNATIONAL Increasingly events internationally have an impact on the lives of young people in Ireland and our responses and work must follow this trend. Youth Work Ireland has always engaged at the EU level and internationally through our membership of the European Confederation of Youth Clubs and the National Youth Council of Ireland. Similarly, we have recently further strengthened our “five nations” partnership with UK Youth , Youth Action Northern Ireland, Youth Scotland, and Youth Cymru. Our work in ECYC was recognised with John Gilmore becoming Vice President of the organisation at their General Assembly in 2014.

OUR TEAM

Dr. Patrick Burke CEO Paul Gralton Assistance CEO Fola Alliu Accounts Intern Suzanne Byrne Participation Officer Karyn Farrell Participation Officer Gina Halpin EO with Responsibility for Supporting Youth Work Practice Maria Hill Federal Co-ordinator Finance, Facilities & Administrator

We have also interacted with the European Youth Forum particularly in terms of our work with Voices of Youth on young people and EU citizenship. Youth Work Ireland was pleased to be asked by Government to nominate one of Ireland’s representatives to the European Economic and Social Committee this summer and Michael Mc Loughlin was appointed in October. Michael is Head of Advocacy and Communications with Youth Work Ireland.

Ethel Humphries PA & Governance Support Executive

Breege Kiernan Event Co-Ordinator & Admin Officer Cormac Lally Head of Development Susan Lennon Administrator Office, Finance Michael McLoughlin Head of Advocacy & Communications Geraldine Moore Federal Co-ordinator Programmes/Voluntary Clubs Chris O’Donnell Fundraising Intern Matthew Seebach Federal Co-ordinator of Youth Work Practice

YOUTH WORK IRELAND BOARD SCENE MAGAZINE This year we hope to publish three editions of Scene Magazine, the themes of the three are Mental Health, Youth Work with Young Travellers and Child & Youth Poverty in Ireland. Two of these editions were accompanied by a Youth Practitioner’s Symposium - Mental Health & Child & Youth Poverty. The Symposia are run in conjunction with the DCYA’s Quality Standards Training and Resources Task Group.

Mairéad Cluskey (President) Paul McCusker, Finola Flanagan Bill Thompson Geraldine Lacey Bryan McMahon Mary Mescal

Irene Murphy Eamonn O’Briain, Eoghan O’Neill Margaret Slattery. Patrick Burke (Chief Executive) Paul Gralton (Company Secretary)

Scene Magazine continues to profile and showcase best youth work practice around the country including practices within out Member Youth Services and externally.

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Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

Youth Work Ireland

MEMBER YOUTH SERVICES CONTACT DETAILS Canal Communities Regional Youth Service Bluebell Youth Centre Bluebell Road Bluebell Dublin 12 T: 01 473 8439

Carlow Regional Youth Service Montgomery House Athy Road Carlow T: 059 913 0476

Clare Youth Service Carmody Street Ennis Co. Clare T: 065 684 5350

CDYS Youth Work Ireland Mallow Community Youth Centre, New Road Mallow Cork T: 022 535 26

Donegal Youth Service Youth Work Ireland 16–18 Port Road Letterkenny Co Donegal T: 074 912 9630

FDYS Ltd Francis Street Wexford T: 053 912 3262

Kildare Youth Services Canal Stores Basin Street Naas Co. Kildare T: 045 897 893

KDYS Fairhill Killarney Co. Kerry T: 064 663 1748

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Limerick Youth Service 5 Lower Glentworth Street Limerick T: 061 412 444

Youth Work Ireland Galway 41–43 Prospect Hill Galway T: 091 561 637

Midlands Regional Youth Service Regional Office Pump Lane Athlone Co.Westmeath. T: 090 647 7075

Youth Work Ireland Laois Unit 9, James Fintan Lawlor House James Fintan Lawlor Avenue Portlaoise Co Laois T: 057 866 5010

North Connaught Youth & Community Service Rockwood Parade Sligo T: 071 914 4150

Youth Work Ireland Louth 2 Courthouse Square Dundalk Co Louth T: 042 933 8323

Ossory Youth Desart Hall New Street Kilkenny T: 056 776 1200

Youth Work Ireland Meath St Mary’s Church Grounds Navan Co Meath

Tipperary Regional Youth Service Croke Street Thurles Tipperary T: 0504 234 26

Youth Work Ireland Monaghan Youth Information Centre York Street Castleblayney Co. Monaghan T: 042 975 1979

Waterford & South Tipperary Community Youth Service Edmund Rice Youth & Community Centre Manor Street Waterford T: 051 309 364

Youth Work Ireland Roscommon N.E. Galway Castle Street Roscommon T: 090 662 5395

Youth Work Ireland County Longford 6 Earl Street Longford T: 043 334 0907

Youth Work Ireland Cork Gurranabraher Youth and Community Resource Centre 11b Gurranabraher Road Cork City T: 021 439 9862

Youth Work Ireland National Office 20 Lower Dominick Street Dublin 1 D01 YP97 T: 01 8584500 w

Youth Work Ireland Annual Review 2015

Youth Work Ireland 20 Lower Dominick Street Dublin 1 D01 YP97 www. youthworkireland.ie

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