Youth services supporting Kerry’s young people to flourish

Catherine Lyons

In South Kerry, UBU West Iveragh, managed by Foróige and officially launched in November 2022, has seen steady growth in Cahersiveen and the surrounding communities due to its adaptive and responsive approach to young people’s needs and requests. It has also been essential in providing support to the large cohort of young Ukrainian people relocated to Cahersiveen over the past year through their weekly Ukrainian breakfast club and music group sessions.

Kerry ETB Youth Development Officer Seamus

Whitty noted, “The work of these two organisations in Kerry, KDYS and Foróige, is hugely important. Their impact on the lives of young people cannot be overstated. Kerry ETB are honoured to support these initiatives and acknowledge in particular the commitment of everyone involved to improving the lives of the young people participating.”

Kerry ETB are developing the Youth Work Plan 2023-2027, which will be published and launched in 2023. Through extensive consultations with young people and critical stakeholders, the plan will outline how we can all work together to ensure that young people are supported through highquality Youth Work throughout the county.

Kerry Education and Training Boards is the funding intermediary for UBU – Your Place Your Space in Kerry. Under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013, the ETBs have a statutory role in youth services in their functional area.