This article is from page 32 of the 2008-05-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 32 JPG
A NEW club for teenagers in Scariff is giving youngsters a chance to let it all out and to learn forms of self-ex- pression they might never otherwise sa
Youth Express, a spin-off from the Every Moment Counts youth club, allows younger members to get to- gether, play music, talk to each other and learn new crafts and other crea- tive carry-on.
At their meetings between 7pm and 9pm behind Brian and Joe’s Café,
the young girls – for girls they all are – are creating a stained glass mosa- ic under the tutorship of Natalie El Baba.
The project is funded by the Arts Section of Clare County Council and the finished stained glass will be put on display during the Iniscealtra Fes- Mee
Learning expression through dance and music is also on the cards for the 13 to 17 year olds.
“This is a place where they can express themselves in an informal way which is impossible for them
in school,’ said youth worker Tracy Boyle
“They are all learning from each other.”
For Youth Express member Re- becca Doyle the club nights are a chance to “do stuff we like to do and talk about things – share our experi- Co Neren ae
Una Moir says the club is “about being there for each other and sup- porting each other”.
Elli Ford-Elliot says that the club is “the only place we can really open up to people – it’s a chance to talk
things out and it’s confidential”.
Catriona Godbold says it’s “a great way to make friends” while Emma- Lee Talbot says the club night are “really great and good fun”.
Youth leader Sam Talbot says the club “allows the girls to express their feelings freely in a safe environ- jeatoslmae
Next on the club’s activity list are belly dancing classes – which will also be open to mums and guard- lans – and the “Cop On” programme, which deals with the topic of not get- ting yourself known to the gardai.