Issue 22 spring edition

April 2015 - Issue 22

Letterkenny Youth Information Centre Newsletter 16-18 Port Road, Letterkenny Tel 074-9129640

ECHO Spring Edition

Europeen Voluntary Service Summer Programme Cycle Against Suicide

STAFF PROFILES GARETH GIBSON Gareth started working in the YIC in October 2001 and he has a background in Business Studies, Youth Work and Research.

What do you do in the YIC? My job is to coordinate the YIC and the Loft, which involves quite a bit of desk based work, dealing with budgets and funding etc and ensuring we have the best possible services and facilities available for young people to use.

What do you like about working for the YIC? Honestly, I like the variety and scope that comes with working in the Youth Service. It’s great to be able to help others and work with young people on so many exciting projects and initiatives.

What would be your hopes for the YIC? Apart from the obvious hopes like better funding etc, I just hope that the YIC continues to develop and grow as it has done since 1998, and that the young people that use our service continue to get a lot from it and enjoy coming back again and again.

LOUISE LYNCH Louise began working in February 2013 and has a background in Psychology, Youth Work and Photography.

What do you do in the YIC? The role here is so diverse; I do centre based work; taking queries from the public, advocacy, supervising the drop-in, working with the development officers in overseeing our social media, video production, podcasts, newspaper column etc. As part of our out-reach I deliver information sessions around cyber bullying and study skills.

Why do you like working for the YIC? The best part of my job is the people. The young people are great and theYIC team is so positive, fun and creative yet work hard and innovative. I love the diversity of the job, the flexibility and how we are allowed to work around what young people want and need.

FRANKIE MC GREEVY Frankie started working at the YIC in March 2002 and he has a background in Politics, Community Youth Work and Restorative Practice How did you come to work at the YIC? I don’t know I was just visiting my Mom in Letterkenny and spotted the job ad and went for it, I knew there was something different and exciting about the place when I visited before the interview and I am still here 11 years later.

What do you do in the YIC? I do Youth Work, this is all about building positive educative relationships with young people individually and in groups, We provide informal education opportunities for young people helping them build confidence, recognise their own strengths and work for positive social change together.

FRANCK SAUCIAN Franck began working in August 2013 and has a background in Art, Graphic Design and youth work How did you come to work in the YIC? I was involved with the Loft a few years ago as a drawing workshop facilitator and subsequently did some voluntary work and work on a few project design posters. So when the opportunity of a CE Scheme arose I applied and got the job.

What do you do in the YIC? I work as an Assistant Information Officer and part of my job is to provide information to young people and their family about any kind of queries, and I am also involved with the media group, world 11 and the world wide voices project. I have also a background in Art and Graphic Design which came in handy whenever the opportunity arises to design posters for any sort of campaign that we would take on.

Why do you like working for the YIC? I really love working with young people, their carefree attitude and the creative ways they have in taking on any situation.

I am looking forward to going through the learning process this job is going to provide, and will embrace opportunity to get a better understanding of young people.

AGI DUSZA How did you come to work in the YIC? I was looking for a job in the youth work sector. I was given the opportunity to work with the CE Scheme . I now work with youths and I am getting an education from the youth work course.

What do you do in the YIC? I am working in the YIC on a part time basis. I am gathering information for the young people about Jobs, accommodation and courses. I also admin and supervise the youth club when required.

Why do you like working for the YIC? I am interesting in the Youth Work Projects as Clubs, LGBT youth project and the mentality of the youth people. I like to participate in the development of young people. I like to assist in the professional YIC Work Team.

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

Irish Youth Mus The Letterkenny Youth Information Centre and Donegal Youth Service have been involved with the Irish Youth Music Awards for 7 years now since its conception in 2008.

This year the quality of the competing Acts from Donegal have been as high as ever.

The regional heat for Donegal was held in March in the Youth Information Centre with the audience vote going to the fine Solo Act that is David Moore from Glenties. Davis was then supported by a fantastic, energetic and enthusiastic team of young people who

sic Award 2015

dealt with a host of tasks including, photography, guitar tech, facebook campaign to name a few. The national final was scheduled for the 18th April in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. David and his entourage of over 35 young people (and some a little bit older!) travelled to the event that gave all competitors a flavour of what it is like to compete at a national level. During the day there was lots to do including a variety of song writing workshops etc. Eventually, David’s turn on stage arrived and he performed two songs superbly. One of the songs was his own original: (fire) which is available on Song cloud.**** Whilst Donegal didn’t come home with either of the top two awards we did win the category of Best Studio Photography. Many thanks to all who participated in the IYMAS 2015 and congratulation to David for an excellent performance not to mention the entertainment in the bus on the long journey home.

Youth Factor

Sunday 25 January 2015 The 2015 Youth Factor competition took place in the Balor Theatre, this year – Song, Dance, Music, Performance and Band.

r kindly hosted by Planet Youth. Pictured are the winners of the 5 categories

Youth Games

Saturday 21 February 2015 Youth Clubs from across the county came together at Boals Gaols to com of U15 & U18 Girls & the U15 & U18 Boys competitions.)

mpete for the County Soccer Competition titles. Pictured are the winners

All Other Games

Saturday 21 March 2015 These popular youth club games have their own competition and this year Table Tennis, Chess, Draughts, Quiz and Basketball events.

All of these teams/acts/individuals are now through to the Youth Work Ire Donegal Youth Service and their county with pride. Good luck to everyone

r Castelfinn Youth Club hosted the event. Pictured here are the winners of

eland ‘All Ireland Finals’ in June in Athlone. They will all travel to represent from all at DYS!!

DONEGAL GROUPS PARTNER UP TO CELEBRATE EUROPEAN YOUTH WEEK Donegal is getting set to celebrate European Youth Week 2015, which takes place from the 27th April to 10th May. LetterkennyYouth Information Centres, which is also a Eurodesk Relay, Donegal Youth Council and Donegal’s Europe Direct Information Centre are hosting a series of events during the fortnight in a variety of locations around the themes of participation, inclusion and employment in many different Countries.

As part of the European Youth Week schools and Youthreach centres have been invited to participate in a European Youth Week Quiz. Each team can put forward 2 teams of 4 participants per school to compete for the €160 prize of One4All Vouchers.

European Voluntary Service information sessions are also being planned in the same location each evening for young people aged 18-30 who would like to travel and work in Europe for free. EVS is a great opportunity for young people and the information session will explain how people can apply and how to access the proper support when you are doing so.

The Quiz and EVS sessions are both held on the same day and locations but at different times: Mon 27th April: Ballybofey Quiz @ Planet Youth Centre – 2pm-3.30pm EVS Session @ Planet Youth Centre– 6.30pm-7.30pm Wed 29th April: Gaoth Dobhair Library (as Gaeilge) – 1pm-.2.30pm EVS Session @ Gaoth Dobhair Library – 6.30pm-7.30pm Thurs 30th April: Letterkenny Central Library – 2pm-3.30pm EVS Session @ Letterkenny Central Library – 6.30pm-7.30pm Wed 6th May: Quiz @ Bundoran Library 1pm-2.30pm EVS Session @ Bundoran Library – 6.30pm-7.30pm Thurs 7th May: Quiz @ Carndonagh Library 2pm-3.30pm EVS Session @ Carndonagh Library – 6.30pm-7.30pm

DONEGAL YOUTH COUNCIL LAUNCH ROAD SAFETY AD CAMPAIGN

DonegalYouthCouncilhavelaunchedanewseatbeltroadsafetyradioadvertis campaign, which were broadcast on regional radio stations Highland Radio and Ocean FM for the next 3 weeks. The first advertisement highlights the increase in road accident related passenger deaths in Ireland. It is part of a p campaign over the year, which will see the Youth Council focus on a range safety issues.

The advertisements have been developed in partnership with the Donega Safety Working Group, of which the Donegal Youth Council and Donega Service are members of. DonegalYouth Councillor MichaelWhite from Carnd Community School, who represents the Youth Council on the Donegal Road Working Group, explains how they developed the idea for the advertiseme wanted to address the issue in a way that had not been addressed in previou advertisements. We especially wanted to emphasise the youth voice, with th that younger people would relate more to people of their own age.”

Road Safety Brian O’Donnel says the DRSWG are delighted to be associate “The DRSWG made a decision to strengthen the message and update the R and Donegal Youth Service. Bringing a fresh approach to the issue of road saf young people’s voices to reinforce the road safety message and hopefully sho killed in 2014 were not wearing a seatbelt.”

The Donegal Road Safety Working Group in an interagency group that com associate with the voices used in the campaign which has a very serious m getting listeners to do the right thing and change their habits when it come

Donegal Youth Council is funded by Donegal County Council, HSE Health provide young people with opportunities to identify, prioritise and work on to of the county and also to provide young people with opportunities to have t policies which affect them.

sement o, iradio e recent planned of road

al Road al Youth donagh d Safety ent. “We us radio he hope

ed with the Donegal Youth Council radio campaign for Seatbelt awareness.

Road Safety radio ad campaigns with the help of the Donegal Youth Council fety, the campaign differs from conventional road safety campaigns by using howing that individuals can make a difference. 19% of drivers and passengers

me together to develop road safety initiatives. They hope that the listener can message– seatbelts save lives. As Brian explains, “More importantly it’s about es to wearing seatbelts.”

Promotion and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and aims to opics and projects which have been identified by the wider youth population their voice heard by being involved in the development of local services and

DONEGAL YOUTH COUNCIL SET TO‘CHALK IT UP’FOR STAND UP WEEK

Donegal Youth Councillors recently organised LGBT “Chalk It up” events in a schools in the county next week in support of Belong To Stand Up week, a nat is aimed at encouraging young people to stand up against homophobic b other settings.

The Chalk It Up events were developed here locally by the BreakOUT Donega who have organised events over the last 3 years, and give people the oppor chalk messages of support for young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgende locations in their school.

TheStandUpAgainstHomophobicBullyingcampaignwaslaunchednationally organisation Belong To and aims to raise awareness and tackle homopho bullying, transphobia and transphobic bullying and help to create positiv support for LGBT people. Schools and youth services across the whole country fun and educational activities next week as part of the initiative.

Among the many secondary schools in the county who have already co participating in the Chalk It Up events include St Columbas College, Stranorlar, Mulroy College Milford, Magh Ene College Bundoran, Rosses CS Dungloe, Ab and Pobalscoil Gaoth Dobhair.

Chairperson of the Donegal Youth Council Eamon Connaghan, from Dee explains why the Youth Council wanted to show their support for the campa up week was approaching, we felt that this was a topic that we needed to homophobic bullying is a continuing problem. We felt we needed to let LGB county know that they have support and are not alone.”

Donegal Youth Council is funded by Donegal County Council, HSE Health Pro to provide young people with opportunities to identify, prioritise and work on population of the county and also to provide young people with opportunit

a number of secondary tional campaign which bullying in schools and

al LGBT support service, rtunity to write positive er people in prominent

yin2012bythenational obia and homophobic ve understanding and y of Ireland will organise

onfirmed they will be Deele College Raphoe, bbey Vocational School

ele College in Raphoe, aign this year. “As stand raise awareness on as BT young people in the

omotion and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and aims n topics and projects which have been identified by the wider youth ties to have their voice heard by being involved in the development

THE LOFT The following lads have qualified to represent the LOFT and Donegal Youth Service in the National Finals for 2015 on the last weekend of June in Athlone: Kyle Gormley, Ryan Gormley, Cian Walsh, Mikey Sweeney (Table Tennis); Paddy Kelly (Chess); Jacek Bein(Draughts), Paddy Sweeney, Joe Friel (Spelling Bee).

Best wishes to everyone travelling, it would be fantastic if we have a repeat of last year when Jordan O’Dowd won the All Ireland title for Draughts!

Young Carers Donegal

Donegal Youth Service, in partnership with the Carers’ Association has developed a wider programme of supports being developed through a Donegal Young Carers’ Ne disability, a mental illness, an alcohol or other drug problem or take on extra responsib do including

Household chores – e.g. cooking, cleaning, ironing, washing, shopping Budgeting for the household – e.g. for rent, bills, food Nursing responsibilities – e.g. administering medication, giving injections, chang Intimate personal care e.g. bathing, toileting, washing Providing emotional support

There are as many as 10% - 12% of young people acting as carers, helping to care for a p can be a great thing to do - that they're proud of who they are and what they do and th that caring can affect how they feel, how much time they get to spend with friends, do The young carers’ project includes confidential individual support for young care support in school issues, information service, training programmes to help young car stay safe and well, as well as a group for young carers to meet and take part in resp activities. When you are caring for someone you may sometimes feel you are doing it alone. Talking to people who are in a similar situation could be helpful. You might like do this by taking part in activities specifically organised for young carers.

In January of this year Transition Year students from St Columba’s College held a ve successful BEO competition in the Balor Theatre. The group donated the profits from t evening to the young carers’ group. The young carers’ group would like to express th thanks and to congratulate St Columba’s TY students on coming 2nd in the national fin of BEO recently. Well done to the organising committee of Roma Foy, Joanne Mc Gow Odhran Doherty, Christopher Gallagher and Jerome Duffy and their teachers Ms Roac and Ms C Cooke on their achievement.

If you would like to know more about the young carers project, please contact loftstaf gmail.com or phone 0749129630

a young carers’ service which includes individual and peer support. This is part of a etworking Group. Young carers help family members or friends who have an illness, a ibility due to family bereavement. Young carers frequently do everything adult carers

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parent, sibling or other family member in Ireland. Many young carers tell us that caring hat they've built up a whole range of useful skills. Sometimes though young carers say oing school work or holding down a job, and that often they need some help. ers, rers pite t all e to

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Cycle Against Suicide In 2014, Donegal Youth Service was awarded the status of ‘Ambassador School’ by Cycle Against Suicide, in recognition of exceptional commitment in the promotion of positive mental health and their efforts to break the cycle of suicide on the island of Ireland. This commitment has continued into 2015 with a wide range of initiatives of projects on the topics of mental health, mental fitness and emotional health. The LOFT’s HIFY group provides an opportunity for senior members to develop their own projects around youth health topics. This term the group decided to recognize the contribution of the cyclists taking part in Cycle Against Suicide by preparing five hundred “positivity packs” to present to the cyclists on their arrival in Donegal.

Group members travelled to Carndonagh Community School on Tuesday the 28th of April to present the packs to the cyclists and to assist in the lunch time stop over.

Following lunch, talks and presentations were held in the school hall. Each of the young people attending were asked to think of “one good adult” who could be a support to them in difficult times. All were reminded of the core message of Cycle Against Suicide; “it’s ok to not feel ok, and it’s absolutely ok to ask for help”.

CE Scheme Project I started my Community Employment Scheme with the Letterkenny Youth Information Centre at the Donegal Youth Service in August 2013.

I had previously done voluntary work with DYS, and when an opportunity with the CE Scheme presented itself I applied and was successful. Since starting at the YIC on the CE Project I have received a range of training related to youth work and gained valuable work experience.

Last year I passed my certificate in Community Youth studies with distinction at the University of Ulster, Magee College (funded by the CE Project) and this September I am starting a Postgraduate in community youth work (funded by the CE Project and the DYS). After completion of the 2 years in postgraduate I will be fully a qualified youth worker.

The last two years at the DYS have been a great experience, I have been able to use the skills obtained from my previous background in Art & Music and integrate them to my practice in youth work. The training I have acquired from the course on community youth studies has been very beneficial and I feel that I have now a solid foundation to further build on my career as a youth worker.

When I first arrived in Ireland I would never have thought that I would end up working in the youth work industry, I just kind of fell into it and I love it.

Franck Saucian

Donegal Youth Service C E Participants with their certifi

icates in First Aid, Health & Safety and Manual Handling.

Youth Inform

The Youth Infomation Centre has just finished its fourth Young Regional Drugs Task Force in 2014. This group is for young m week programme covers a range of topics including the imp effect young men. For more information on this group con

mation centre

g Men’s Group since being awarded funding by the North West men who want to improve their mental fitness skills. This eight pact of drugs and alcohol, relationships and general issues that ntact Louise at the Youth Information Centre on 074 9129640.

EVS

We are delighted to welcome our new EVS volunteers to Donegal Yout and Boris will be working with us on a range of projects. Jandri and Dian projects. Laura has come all the way from Italy to work with the Donegal team. Donegal Youth Service would like to take the opportunity to welco

European Voluntary Service is the European Commission’s project that allows a young person to become a volunteer in another European country for between 2–12 months. This is an excellent opportunity for young people between 17 and 30 years of age to do a bit of travelling, live in another country and experience other cultures as well as have the time of your life and gain unforgettable experiences.

th Service! Until January 2016 our EVS volunteers, Jandri, Diana, Laura na are from Northern Spain and are working on media, design and video Youth Council. Boris hails from Russia and is working with the Outreach ome them and hope they have a wonderful time here in the organisation.

Have you left a course t have you stayed on a course The EYE project is an exciting new opportun of courses that are on offer to them we need you to

Who? 18 to 25 years old Where? Donegal Youth Service Headqu When? Friday 15 of May at 4:30 pm

Get Invo

Call into the Letterkenny Youth Information Centre

*Funded by the Erasmus+ programme

that you found boring?? despite being bored silly??? nity for young people to change the content m, we are recruiting a youth panel and o get involved!!

uarters

olved at 16/18 Port Road or contact us on Facebook

The

PARTY in THE Is 2

Party in the Park is returning to th For the last9 weekend oft the summ get yourself to the Letterkenny To

Party in the Park is an annual Don the creative talents of the young We will have entertainment by yo activities for all the family, See you

E PARK BACK AGAIN !!

he Town Park this year !! mer!

So remember Saturday August 29th! h own Park . We will be kicking off at 2pm.

negal Youth Service event celebrating peopleof Donegal. oung bands and fun ou there!

29th AUGUST 2015

Help Donegal Youth Service help Donegal young people!

Are you involved in a group or business that may be planning to do a charitable fundraiser? Why not consider Donegal Youth Service as your chosen charity?

Donegal Youth Service provides a very wide range of services for young people; from the young person who goes to their local Friday night youth club in a small village to a young person who needs help finding a job, to a person who has dropped out of school due to severe social anxiety and needs one to one educational support.

Donegal Youth Service is a charity and whilst it receives some government funds it is heavily reliant on the generous donations of the public to ensure that our vital services for young people are maintained.

The service receives statutory funding for its projects but this has been reduced by almost 40% in the last 5 years. We are a locally managed service by a voluntary board of management and work with young people in their local areas and our funds are all allocated locally.

If you would like to help Donegal Youth Service we would love to hear from you. Call into our offices on 16-18 Port Road, Letterkenny or call us on 074 9129630 or email lorraine.thompson@ donegalyouthservice.ie.

Volunteering Opportunities If you would like to contribute in a different way perhaps you would consider volunteering your time.

Donegal Youth Service works with over 5000 young people countywide and we are always looking for volunteers. Volunteers are vital to Donegal Youth Service programmes to young people. We have a wide range of programmes, projects and youth clubs that require volunteers to keep them going.

If you had a few hours to spare you could help run your local club or get involved in organising a fundraiser for your local club.

If you are interested in voluntary work with Youth Work Ireland you should contact DYS for an application form. This should be completed and returned to the Youth Service. All applicants are required to participate in a selection process which is designed to assess their suitability to work with young people. Please note all volunteers are Garda vetted.

Once you have completed this process and been formally accepted by DYS, you will receive orientation or induction training, engage in a consultation about the role and responsibilities you are about to take on, and be provided with support for your first steps into the world of youth work!

Take on a challenge and make a difference with Donegal Youth service Donegal Youth service are asking people to help build a brighter future for all our young people by joining Team DYS this year for any sporting event or challenge. Anyone can join and take part in any event of their choice and raise money for Donegal Youth Service while achieving their goals.

Donegal Youth Service is appealing to everyone regardless of fitness level for this campaign, whether a seasoned marathon runner or someone who enjoys a fun day out. So whether your aim is complete the Flora Mini marathon, Dublin marathon or any other sporting event you can think of Team DYS would be proud to have you join our ranks and together we can help equip young people for whatever life holds.

Run, walk, climb, hop, swim, dance, jiggle, cycle, crawl or do a marathon dressed as Elvis, it doesn’t matter which event you do as everyone involved in Team DYS will be helping to ensure that Every young person has the opportunity to get Tools For Life and change communities!

YIC LETTERKENNY SERVICES & PROGRAMMES INFO AVAILABLE ON: • • • • • •

Employment Rights & Entitlements Understanding Tax CV Preparation Interview Preparation Job Seeking Skills Dealing with conflict in the workplace • Self Assessment • Participation is FREE For more information contact: Letterkenny Youth Information Centre on 074-9129640

OUTREACH IN SCHOOLS

DROP IN HOURS The YIC drop in continues to open until 6pm Monday to Thursday, while we are open to 5pm on Fridays. The Loft drop-in remains open until 8pm on Wednesday and Thursdays and opens from 5-10pm on Fridays, as well as 2-6pm on Saturdays.

YOUTH MEDIA GROUP The Youth Media Group meets Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm. If you would like to get involved contact a member of staff now.

STUDENT TRAVEL CARD

Letterkenny YIC are reguarly providing outreach in different schools across the town and county. We offer workshops in a range of areas including peer mentoring, school council training, internet safety workshops, study skills & much more. Contact the centre if you feel we could be of benefit to your school.

Letterkenny Youth Information Centre is an agent for the Student Travel Card. We can process your card for you in the centre.

Log on to www.studenttravelcard.ie for more details on the discounts on offer.

EURODESK

WEEKLY ACCOMMODATION & EMPLOYMENT LIST

Thinking of travelling, working or volunteering in Europe. Letterkenny YIC are your local Eurodesk Relay. We have access to lots of European Information so give us a call today.

Our weekly employment and accommodation lists for Letterkenny can now be accessed online.

See www.donegalyouthservice.ie/yic for more details.

SOCIAL MEDIA At the Youth Information Centre we are making full use of the social media networks available to us to allow our service users to keep up to date with everything we do. Social media has revolutionised the way the information centre works; we can communicate instantly with people and events and groups can be organised and communicated with effortlessly.

Follow us on twitter @yicletterkenny, check out our Tumblr page and our Youtube channel.

Our EVS volunteers have been documenting their experiences here in Ireland, you can find their tales on www.evsletterkenny.wordpress.com And finally like us here on Facebook where we keep you up to date with all of our work and events.