ECHO ISSUE 10

FREE

Issue 10: Dec 2010

In this Edition of Echo we look at the issue of Cyberbulling, we hear about what has been happening in the YIC and Loft LK over the last few months and look ahead to all that is going to be happening in the YIC and Loft LK in the New Year.

etter

Newsl entre C n o i at

rm th Info u o enny Y y etterk kenn

Enjoy!

Martin Keeney

Youth Information Officer

d, L rt Roa o P 8 1 yic 16ce.ie/ 29640 i 1 v r 9 e 4 s Tel 07 negalyouth do www.

Letter

S A M T S I R H C MERRY !

R A E Y W E N Y HAPP

2011 S A M Y I NG I Y L L U B R E CYB CLES I T R A P U O GR A I D E M H T YOU CE & I V R E S Y R NTA U L O V N A E EUROP !!!

E R O M H C MUCH MU News

YIC & Loft s le ic rt a p u ro G ia oming Up? C ’s News Youth Med t a h W p U Speak

YIC & LOFT NEWS YOUTH DEMOCRACY PROJECT The Youth Democracy Group have recently completed a talk show debate looking at the effects of uncertain citizenship on young people’s education. The group are campaigning to create a better understanding of how vastly hiked college fees and a lack of information available in relation to the required stamps needed on passports before you can access third level are sending many young people who have been in this country for 6 or 7 years into limbo when they get into third level education. Many have had to drop out of an entire year in college simply because they were not told to update the stamp on their visa. The Leargas funded project will see the group now go on to create an online film to highlight some of the issues involved and it will be made available through youtube and other sources for people to see. For more details on this project talk to Frankie in the YIC now.

2011 IRISH YOUTH MUSIC AWARDS The search for the 2011 IYMA winner starts here! To enter you must be able to perform at least two songs, one of which must be original material. There will be heats held in Letterkenny in January where all acts will be filmed. You may also arrange for a heat to be held at your local youth club and have it filmed. Entry to the competition can be through the heats or by submitting a link to your two songs/instrumentals on video. We have created a facebook page called IYMA Donegal to post all performance video links on, so here’s the process: 1. Add IYMA Donegal as a friend on your facebook account 2. Have your performance filmed by video (iPhone, Zoom q3 or similar) and upload to youTube 3. Post a link to your video on the IYMA Donegal facebook page It isn’t necessary to appear at a heat to enter, if you have a means of recording yourselves on video you may do so, but we will arrange for heats to be filmed so entry will be automatic for all who play at the heats. The 12 best acts will go forward to the Regional final at An Grianan Theatre in Letterkenny on 4th February 2011 with the winning act representing Donegal in the National final in Dublin in April. Further details of the competition may be found on the IYMA website www.irishyouthmusicawards.ie and you may also find out more by contacting Frankie McGreevy on 086 3898958 or John Muldowney on 086 8516203.

CHOICES YOUTH HEALTH CONFERENCE Over one hundred and thirty transition year students from the Letterkenny area will take part in the LOFT Youth Project’s Youth Health Conference 2010. The theme for what is hoped will be the first of many is “Choices”. Taking place on the 9th of December the students will represent Loreto Convent Letterkenny, Colaiste Ailigh, St. Eunan’s College, Errigal College, Loreto Community School, Milford and Youthreach . Participants will take part in five workshops covering; healthy relationships, drugs & alcohol, safe internet use, mental health and diversity & inclusion.

Organised and coordinated by the LOFT Youth Project (Port Road, Letterkenny), the Choices conference aims to empower young people to make informed and healthy choices which will affect their lives in a positive way. The afternoon will include a chance to meet a range of organisations and community groups, learn about their services and earn some spot prizes.

WHATS BEENIN HAPPENING PARTY THE PARK We look at recent highlights in the Youth Information Centre on Loft LK.

Youth Democracy Project - Arsene talks passionalitely to politicians

Left Mid: Sandra & Nataliya arrive at DYS & Girls Night In MidRight: New art work in the YIC created by John Ruddy MidRight: Participants in the YIC Film School at RCC Bottom Left: Youth Democracy Group in the YIC Bottom Right: YIC Youth Media Group

Youth Democracy Exchange

CYBERBULLYING PARTY IN THE PARK In ECHO we like to inform. Cyberbullying can be a big issue for young people, whether the abuse happens through email, a social network or over your mobile phone, but how much do you know about it?

WHAT IS CYBERBULLING? Cyberbullying is a form of bullying which is carried out through an internet service such as email, chat room, discussion group, online social networking, instant messaging or web pages. It can also include bullying through mobile phone technologies such as texting.”

DIFFERENT FORMS OF CYBER BULLYING Threats and intimidation 2. Harassment or “cyber-stalking” (e.g. repeatedly sending unwanted texts or instant messages) 3. Saying nasty things about someone online that are not true 4. Trying to exclude some one from a group 5. impersonation 6. publication of private information or images of people manipulation.

WHY IT HAPPENS? Cyberbullying may be a continuation of, or in retaliation for in-school bullying.

It may be related to fights about relationships or be based on hate or bias. Some people even see cyberbullying as entertainment – a fun game HOW CYBERBULLYING CAN EFFECT YOU Cyberbullying causes great emotional harm to the target: 1. Withdrawal from friends and activities 2. Avoidance of school or group gatherings 3. Changes in mood, behaviour, sleep, or appetite 4. Severe cyberbullying can leave victims at greater risk for anxiety, depression, and other stress-related disorders.

5. In very rare cases, some have turned to suicide.

YOUTH EXCHANGE Letterkenny Youth Information Centre hosted a European Youth and Social Media Youth Exchange Project earlier this year, working with 40 young people and leaders from Germany, Ireland, Estonia and Northern Ireland. The project, which was funded by Leargas, focused on getting young people involved in influencing policy around internet governance. The young people participated in a number of workshops to capture their thoughts and opinions on internet issues such as file sharing, identity theft and cyberbullying. Throughout the event young people kept an audio and video record to allow them create podcasts and videos to highlight the issues they discussed.

For more information on the event see the special website which was created about the project www.eysm.eu.

PARTY CYBERBULLYING IN THE PARK

MOBILE PHONES - THE LAW Communications Regulation Act (Amendment) 2007: Any person who sends false offensive indecent, menacing or obscene messages on a phone for purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety is committing an offence LANDMARK CASE Workshops in Gartan at Exchange

January 2008: A 27 year old man from Dundalk posted offensive and obscene messages on a bebo page of a 16 year old girl. He was prosecuted and had to pay €3000 to the girl in question.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP IT? If you are being cyberbullied it is possible that you’re feeling powerless and isolated. There are options and you can do things to stop the problem.

Group visit to Stormont in Belfast

CHANGE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS Get a new user name for the internet, a new email account, a new mobile phone number and only give them out to your closest friends.

KEEP USERNAME AND PASSWORD SECRET Keep your personal information private so it doesn’t fall into the hands of someone who’ll misuse it.

Presenting their findings from workshops

SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES The first thing you should do if you are having issues with content on a social networking website is report the matter to the website owners.

You can use the website reporting tools to do this, for example on Bebo you can click on the ‘Report Abuse’ link.

OTHER USEFUL LINKS:

KEEP A COPY OF EVERYTHING - don’t just delete it. If you need to prove it has been happening at a later point this will prove crucial.

www.hotline.ie/ www.safekids.com/ www.chatdanger.com/ www.safeteens.com/ www.huwy.eu www.getsafeonline.org/ kidshealth.org/ www.internetsafety101.org

TELL SOMEONE - discuss it with a friend, parent, teacher, youth worker.

USEFUL LINKS www.internetsafety.ie Website of the Office for Internet Safety www.webwise.ie Provides parents, teachers and children with educational resources, advice and information about potential dangers on-line

www.watchyourspace.ie Advice on managing your profiles on socialnetworking sites

SPEAK UP! LETTERKENNY YIC YOUTH MEDIA GROUP HAVE THEIR SAY Youth media group members have their say on some of the big topics effecting young people in Letterkenny and Ireland.

WHY DO WE WEAR A SAFETY BELT?

By Connor McCarron When a car is travelling at 120km per hour the people inside the car are also travelling at 120km per hour. When a car suddenly stops, the people inside continue to travel at 120km per hour. There are two main things that can stop these people: the seatbelt or the front window. One was designed to save lives; the other one wasn’t.

Seatbelts are there for your safety. If you’re under 17 you get the driver into trouble if you’re caught without a seatbelt. If you’re 17 or over it is your own responsibility to wear your seatbelt. If you don’t have a license when you’re seventeen you will still get penalty points, which would be put on as soon as you get your full license. It’s not worth it. If you had to choose between penalty points and no penalty points which would you choose? If you had to choose between life and death, which would you choose? It’s pretty simple isn’t it? Put on your seatbelt!

BULLYING IN SCHOOL - HOW IT FEELS

by Agata Wrobel As a person who has been bullied in school I will tell you what I felt and what other people feel when they are being bullied in schools. Some people are coming from other countries to Ireland and they are starting education in schools.

People don’t like when someone is different so they start to laugh or say bad things about them. Girls or boys are scared to say to their parents or teacher.

The bullies think they can do anything they want and no one will say anything to them because sometimes parents and teachers know nothing about what is happening in school. It will get worse than now if you don’t do something about this.

Every day is worse, people don’t stop talking about you, and push you at breaks.

They just don’t respect you. They think that they can do it, because you don’t know English that well and you will never say anything to them. You’re just scared they can do something to you, but it is not true. The truth is that they can’t do anything.

First thing you should do is to tell your parents or teachers that you are being bullied in school. Only then will they be able to do something about this and they will stop laughing or saying things about you to other people. There are many reasons why other people bully in school, such as a different colour of skin, culture, religion, language etc. You shouldn’t be scared and you should tell someone if someone is bullying you.

If you would like to get involved in the Youth Media Group you can talk to a member of staff now in the Youth Information Centre to find out more or tel 074-9129640.

MANNY MAN & EVS

MANNY MAN! Manny Man is a webcomic written by John Ruddy.

It makes fun of all things from movies and video games to politics. You can find it on www.mannyman.smackjeeves.com You can get instant updates by adding it on Facebook and Twitter! www. facebook.com/manny.man.comic www.twitter.com/mannymancomic Enjoy the free giggles!

EUROPEAN VOLUNTARY SERVICE

The European Voluntary Service is a project for 18 to 30 year olds where you can travel and work in another country for a period of 2-12 months with your travel and living expenses provided to you. Letterkenny YIC is now both a hosting and sending organisation for EVS so if you would like to take part talk to a member of staff now.

This month we interviewed YIC and Loft EVS volunteers Sandra and Nataliya about their time here so far.

NATALIYA PRESCYHPA Where are you from originally?

I was born in Ukraine, but I was studying and working in Poland for several years.

Why did you choose Ireland for EVS? Really its Ireland choose me and I glad about it.

During a year 400-500 young people from all across Europe apply to be volunteer in YIC. Like many young people in Europe I can understand English and unfortunately I don’t know other languages of EU. I decided to apply for EVS in a country where people use English. I applied to UK, Malta and Ireland for the most interesting projects.

What are your highlights so far?

Since I came here from the beginning I feel very at home. People are very nice, very friendly. I really like my work in the YIC and I would like to stay on this project longer, but unfortunately it’s impossible.

Anything you don’t like?

I don’t like rain with strong wind when are together in the same moment, especially when I’m outside.

SANDRA GUTIERREZ Where are you from originally?

I am from a city in the South of Spain called Seville.

Why did you want to do EVS? I chose Ireland because I had never been there and I was told that it was a beautiful country with friendly people; I always wanted to visit it and thought that living here for a while would be great.

What are your highlights so far about your time here?

I can already say that this has been one of the greatest experiences of my life and I am only half way through it. I can only be thankful to all the people who work at the YIC and the LOFT for how much they have helped me. This is an experience which I highly recommend because the moments spent during the EVS will always be with me wherever I go.

Anything you dont like?

Well, the winter seems to be coming very cold this year, so maybe I would like that it was a bit warmer, and things are very expensive here, but the experience is worth it, especially because of the people.

LOFT LK Nearly the end of another year and things are still busy at the LOFT. We’re looking forward to lots of activities in December including the Choices Youth Health Conference, Carol Singing on the 16th of December and of course the Christmas Masquerade Ball on the 23rd of December.

Social Events We continue to have a band night and movie night each month. Thanks to our two new DJs we’re also bringing back the Urban & RnB Nights. If you’d like to organise a Friday night event or give DJing a shot please talk to a member of staff.

Christmas Masquerade Ball It’s time to get dressed up for the Christmas Masquerade Ball at the LOFT. Thursday 23rd December 6pm – 10pm.

Youth Advisory Committee The youth advisory committee meets on Friday evenings in the drop-in space. It’s an informal chat and a great way to have your say on what’s happening at the LOFT. If you have an opinion then you should be there!

Talk to Orla for more information.

WHAT’S COMING UP? DYS Variety Competition The Donegal Youth Service Variety Show Competition will take place early in the New Year. Categories for the competition are; Drama, Comedy, Duais na Gaeilge, Show Dance, Creative Dance, Spotlight, Solo Instrumental, Group Instrumental, Solo Singing and Group Singing.

Speak to Orla for more information about taking part.

Under 15s Night Wednesday evenings 6pm-8pm is under 15s night in the LOFT drop-in.

Health Events There will be lots more health events in the coming term including activities to mark World Health Day, World No Tobacco Day, safe socialising, healthy relationships and more.

Parents Information & Enrolment Night will be held on Wednesday the 19th of January from 6pm-10pm.

LOFT LK YOUTH PROJECT 16-18 Port Road 074-9177821 or email loftstaff@gmail.com

Groups and courses Group programmes will start again in early January with some of the existing courses continuing and a number of new programmes being introduced. Groups this term will include; HIFY (Health Initiative For Youth), Glee, IYMAs, Big Art Project, first year group, girls group, homework club and more. We are always adding to the list of ideas so if you have any please get in touch.

About Letterkenny Youth Information Centre The Youth Information Centre is a well established resource for the local community providing Young people and those who work with them a one stop shop for information and training opportunities in the following areas: Job and Housing Lists - Law and Justice - CV Preparation Travel opportunities - College applications - Student Travel card service - Practice for Driver Theory Test - Leadership training - Media skills training - Drop in service Letterkenny Youth Information Centre, 16-18 Port Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Tel 0749129640 or email yicletterkenny@donegalyouthservice.ie

LETTERKENNY YOUTH INFO CENTRE TEEN BETWEEN It is one of the most stressful times to go through, when your parents are getting a divorce or separating. You may even have a feeling of guilt that it was partly your fault……

It isn’t From constant fights to silence at the dining table, you might feel the emotions your parents are going through such as anger, shock, confusion, disbelief and a sense of uncertainty.

Teen Between is a specialised support service for teenagers whose parents are going through a divorce or separation. It can also help young adults who have experienced their parent’s separation during their teenage years.

With Teen Between, you and the counsellor work together to resolve the issues that concern you. You can explore as much as you want of the situation and you will never be asked to talk about anything you do not want to.

FOR MORE INFO ON TEEN BETWEEN CONTACT LETTERKENNY YIC NOW ON 074-9129640

LYIT AND YIC BUSINESS START UP COURSE Are you a young person with an idea for a business? Letterkenny Institute of Technology and Letterkenny Youth Information Centre are currently recruiting for a Business Start Up course beginning in January.

The course, which is free and aimed at 16-25 year olds, will run for one evening per week for 12 weeks, and will offer information and support to young people on how to develop business plans, how to develop your business ideas, cost management, marketing skills, how to run an efficient business and employer/ employee rights and laws.

The course will be facilitated by LYIT Business lecturer Paul McCusker and accredited by the Open College Network. The course is free but places are very limited, so please give your details ASAP to Letterkenny Youth Information Centre to book your place.

Letterkenny Youth Information Centre offers a free and confidential information service to young people and those who work with them.

The centre operates under national guidelines and offers a unique approach to youth information in that the information team strive to animate the information through courses and innovative projects.

For more information contact Letterkenny Youth Information Centre on 074-9129640. The Youth Information Centre is based at 16-18 Port Road, Letterkenny.

JOIN US NOW ON FACEBOOK FOR REGULAR UPDATES AND INFORMATION. JUST SEARCH LETTERKENNY YIC

Pho