On Saturday 19th December 2009 at the Irishtown Youth Diversion Project in John Street 12 young men from the three Garda Youth Diversion Projects that are run by Limerick Youth Service (Ballynanty, Irishtown and St Mary’s Park) took part in wheel changing time trial competitions on Garda cars as well as racing model cars they made themselves.
The story is that there was a programme running for the previous ten weeks which have involved 12 young lads from the three Garda Youth Diversion Projects – which is unusual in itself because the young people from the three different areas wouldn’t get the opportunity to meet in a friendly and safe environment under usual circumstances. Working with tutor Peter O’Brien from Clonmel (and the Community Gardai who are involved in the three programmes and the Limerick Youth Service youth workers). Peter has put this programme together whereby he uses his time with the participants to show them how to build model race cars. While he’s doing this he spends a lot of the time going through road safety, safe driving, rules of the road etc. with the aim of improving the young lads’ attitude toward road safety and also HOPEFULLY reducing car vandalism in these areas.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Unique programmes and Projects in the North and South of Limerick
Limerick Youth Service runs three Garda Youth Diversion Projects in Limerick; Ballynanty (including the areas of Killeely and Thomondgate); Irishtown (including Garryowen and Watergate) and King’s Island (St Mary’s Park). The aim of these Projects is to deter young people from becoming involved in criminality and anti-social behaviour while engaging them in fun, educational and vocational programmes.
This year the Projects received funding from the European Social Fund to run courses for the young people in the areas in which the Project operate to design programmes to help fight unemployment and to prevent these young people losing touch with the labour market. From this grew two programmes – an Accredited IT E-Citizen Programme especially tailored for young men by Mobile IT and a Personal Development Programme for the young women.
The IT Programme began in October 2009 and the participants, aged between 14 to 18 years, took their examinations during December 2009. This January there will be an awards ceremony for those who have gained their accreditation. Their families and friends will be invited to attend. It’s going to be a big celebration because many of the young men taking part have not achieved any formal educational qualifications previously.
The Personal Development Programme also began in October 2009 and focused on the young women’s experiences and feelings around being a young person in Limerick today, what they do and how they live. With the help of psychotherapist Martin O’Sullivan, the participants channelled all their learning into a short film that was screened on Friday 18th December 2009.
A particularly unique factor of these two programmes is that the participants of both were drawn from the three different areas in which the Projects operate. This is significant because in so many cases young people from Limerick city and its immediate environs can be experience segregation among themselves – those from the north of the city not knowing or mixing with those from the Southside and so on. The programmes offered these young people from three different areas - Ballynanty, Garryowen and St Mary’s – the opportunity to work together and to get to know one another as friends and peers.
Youth Justice Worker, Tanya O’Sullivan, who worked of the Ballynanty Project says that these Programmes were beneficial on so many levels in particular the personal development of the young people involved and in challenging the stereotypes that young people had of others from different areas. It also provided the opportunity for inter-project work from the three areas which ensured that the use of the funds was maximised.
Limerick Youth Service is very grateful to the support of the Community Gardai, the Irish Youth Justice Service and the European Social Fund for all their support.
This year the Projects received funding from the European Social Fund to run courses for the young people in the areas in which the Project operate to design programmes to help fight unemployment and to prevent these young people losing touch with the labour market. From this grew two programmes – an Accredited IT E-Citizen Programme especially tailored for young men by Mobile IT and a Personal Development Programme for the young women.
The IT Programme began in October 2009 and the participants, aged between 14 to 18 years, took their examinations during December 2009. This January there will be an awards ceremony for those who have gained their accreditation. Their families and friends will be invited to attend. It’s going to be a big celebration because many of the young men taking part have not achieved any formal educational qualifications previously.
The Personal Development Programme also began in October 2009 and focused on the young women’s experiences and feelings around being a young person in Limerick today, what they do and how they live. With the help of psychotherapist Martin O’Sullivan, the participants channelled all their learning into a short film that was screened on Friday 18th December 2009.
A particularly unique factor of these two programmes is that the participants of both were drawn from the three different areas in which the Projects operate. This is significant because in so many cases young people from Limerick city and its immediate environs can be experience segregation among themselves – those from the north of the city not knowing or mixing with those from the Southside and so on. The programmes offered these young people from three different areas - Ballynanty, Garryowen and St Mary’s – the opportunity to work together and to get to know one another as friends and peers.
Youth Justice Worker, Tanya O’Sullivan, who worked of the Ballynanty Project says that these Programmes were beneficial on so many levels in particular the personal development of the young people involved and in challenging the stereotypes that young people had of others from different areas. It also provided the opportunity for inter-project work from the three areas which ensured that the use of the funds was maximised.
Limerick Youth Service is very grateful to the support of the Community Gardai, the Irish Youth Justice Service and the European Social Fund for all their support.
Limerick Youth Fashion Show Extravaganza at South Court Hotel!
On Saturday 28th November 2009 the youth clubs of Limerick city and county came together and put on a fashion extravaganza at the South Court Hotel in Raheen. Featuring the young people’s interpretation of styles from the ‘60’s, ‘70’s, ‘80‘s, ‘90 and the ‘noughties’ it was a virtual feast of haute couture and cutting edge design! The show provided everyone with the opportunity to showcase their unique fashion flair!
The event was supported by a capacity crowd of young people, their families and friends. The winners were for Best Dressed ‘60’s – Lydia Kenneally Rathkeale Youth Project, for Best Dressed ‘70’s – Shannon Naughton Rathkeale Youth Project, for Best Dressed in the ‘80’s Castleconnell Youth Club, for Best Dressed ‘90’s – Eimear O’Connor Rathkeale Youth Project and for Best Dressed ‘noughties’ Holly of Askeaton Youth Club. The prize for the Most Original Design with to Askeaton Youth Club for their use of recycled materials to make their costumes. The runners up for the Most Original Design were Roslyn Ryan and Robyn Merrick from Caherconlish – both of whom were dressed as Michael Jackson.
We would like to thank everyone for their participation and in particular those who supplied prizes and support including Photo Magic Castletroy, Bloomers Restaurant in Rathkeale, Giltenane’s Pharmacy Rathkeale, Castleconnell Youth Club, Bradshaw’s Pub Castleconnell, Head to Toe Hair and Beauty Salon Castleconnell, Spin City Castleconnell, Bia Bombay Castleconnell, Karma Beauty Salon Caherconlish, Gannons Pharmacy Hospital, Kathleen’s Hair Salon in Knocklong, BB’s Coffee and Muffins, girl band Sparkle who provided entertainment for the event along with the Rathkeale Hip Hop group and Paul O’Connor who performed some of his own music. DJ Declan Hughes very kindly provided the backing music for each of the eras and was MC for the event.
Limerick Youth Service supports over 40 youth clubs throughout Limerick city and county and run lots of fun, recreational and educational events throughout the year. If you would like to find out more about youth clubs in your area or if you think that your suburb or village would benefit from setting up a youth club why not contact Limerick Youth Service on 061 412444 and ask to speak to Damian Landy who will be more than happy to help you will your queries.
The event was supported by a capacity crowd of young people, their families and friends. The winners were for Best Dressed ‘60’s – Lydia Kenneally Rathkeale Youth Project, for Best Dressed ‘70’s – Shannon Naughton Rathkeale Youth Project, for Best Dressed in the ‘80’s Castleconnell Youth Club, for Best Dressed ‘90’s – Eimear O’Connor Rathkeale Youth Project and for Best Dressed ‘noughties’ Holly of Askeaton Youth Club. The prize for the Most Original Design with to Askeaton Youth Club for their use of recycled materials to make their costumes. The runners up for the Most Original Design were Roslyn Ryan and Robyn Merrick from Caherconlish – both of whom were dressed as Michael Jackson.
We would like to thank everyone for their participation and in particular those who supplied prizes and support including Photo Magic Castletroy, Bloomers Restaurant in Rathkeale, Giltenane’s Pharmacy Rathkeale, Castleconnell Youth Club, Bradshaw’s Pub Castleconnell, Head to Toe Hair and Beauty Salon Castleconnell, Spin City Castleconnell, Bia Bombay Castleconnell, Karma Beauty Salon Caherconlish, Gannons Pharmacy Hospital, Kathleen’s Hair Salon in Knocklong, BB’s Coffee and Muffins, girl band Sparkle who provided entertainment for the event along with the Rathkeale Hip Hop group and Paul O’Connor who performed some of his own music. DJ Declan Hughes very kindly provided the backing music for each of the eras and was MC for the event.
Limerick Youth Service supports over 40 youth clubs throughout Limerick city and county and run lots of fun, recreational and educational events throughout the year. If you would like to find out more about youth clubs in your area or if you think that your suburb or village would benefit from setting up a youth club why not contact Limerick Youth Service on 061 412444 and ask to speak to Damian Landy who will be more than happy to help you will your queries.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Ignite Change Now Conference
In the Department of Health and Children’s National Recreation Policy (2007) Youth Cafes were recognised as a key need by and for young people. The State is committed to their provision on a phased basis across the country. Limerick Youth Service runs three youth-operated, adult-mentored Youth Cafes in Limerick; Northside Youth Café at Watch House Cross, Southside Youth Café in Galvone and Lava Java’s Youth Café in Glentworth Street. While enjoying the ‘standard’ café experience - tea, coffee, company and fun in a drug and alcohol-free space, the young people who frequent these cafes also take part in numerous personal development and educational programmes.
While Youth Cafes are a relatively new concept, both nationally and internationally, Catherine Kelly, Director of Limerick Youth Service says that a Youth Café is an essential part of the youth provision network providing a relaxed meeting space for young people that is safe, friendly, inclusive, tolerant and free of set rules. Providing a place for young people of both sexes, from different cultural and social backgrounds can only serve to bring communities closer together and help young people to gain a clearer understanding of each other.
The Conference, entitled Ignite Change Now! Young people building and uniting communities, provided young people with an ideal opportunity to showcase their skills while offering interested groups the opportunity to engage in a meaningful and practical way with them. There were number of interactive workshops and discussions throughout the day with special guest Special Guest Bobby Kerr, business leader, entrepreneur and ‘Dragon’ in RTE’s Dragons Den who lead his own workshop on ‘Starting your own Business.’
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