This article is from page 29 of the 2008-05-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
THE Clare Youth Service will be vying for the community’s support as the closing date for the Better Ire- land Awards draws closer.
The Kilrush service is one of three from west Clare hoping to secure the €10,000 prize.
The service is being recognised for the support and guidance it provides to young people in the west Clare or TOLD
Overseen by two full-time youth workers, Louise McMahon and Adriona Meere, and one part-time worker, Shane Mulvey, the group is also assisted by staff that help out on AWB UsstAbN ED Oye FS ESe
Kilrush Youth Project has a number of sub projects including The Kil- rush Garda Youth Diversion Project, The Kilrush Youth Project, Kilrush Youth Club, Kilrush Youth Café and the Good Neighbour Project.
The youth project is based around the John Paul Estate and caters for young people between the ages of 12
and 19.
“The types of activities we do are junior and senior boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer and games, fishing, art projects, hip hop dancing and gar- dening projects. We also have the use of a house on the estate where we provide a drop-in-and-chill-out space where young people can go at specific times each week,” said youth worker Louise McMahon.
“The junior boys have recently competed in a soccer tournament hosted by Cloughleigh Youth Club in Ennis in which one of our players won player of the tournament.
“We are currently preparing for our upcoming summer programme of events, including our three-day sum- mer camp to be held in July.
“Two of our young people have progressed through to the final of West Clare’s Got Talent this Satur- day, May 17,” she said.
The Clare Youth Service also pro- vides support for the Kilrush Youth Club and its leaders.
“Volunteers are very important to
the Clare Youth Service and are al- ways welcome.
‘Volunteers receive leader and oth- er types of training from the Clare Youth Service in order to set up and run the youth club programme of events and activities for the year,” added Ms McMahon.
Kilrush Youth Club have seven volunteers in total who organise and run Kilrush Youth Club includ- ing Shirley Gilligan, Paddy Honan, Kathleen Hannon, Caroline Hanra- han, Sue Metham, Mary McInerney and Linda Burke.
Paddy was nominated and won a Volunteer Award this year for “direct work with young people”.
The youth club also organises a number of outings and events every year.
Work is ongoing at the moment at the Kilrush Youth Centre in prepara- tion for the opening of a new youth café in Kilrush.
A group of young people from the area have formed a committee and meet regularly with the Kilrush
Youth Club volunteers and _ local youth workers to plan and prepare for the opening of the space.
The young people have also can- vassed locally for extra funding to complete this project.
The Good Neighbour Project 1s specifically for the younger children on the John Paul Estate from about five years and up.
Clubs are held in the community centre on the estate for them about twice a week.
Those wishing to vote for the Kiul- rush Youth Service can do so by tex- ting KilrushA or KilkeeA to 53099.
aVO MEK) CIB Ree AU oLO MAU UMD Koh IUO LM O mE! donation to the service – even if they don’t win the €10,000 prize.