Minister praises projects that help youth in times of need
Young people have learned the sort of life skills that helped them find their way out of Slieve Bloom mountains during a hike, Frank Feighan, TD, Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, heard on a visit to Grange Resource Centre in Mullingar last week.
The minister was there to hear about two Healthy Ireland funded projects delivered by Youth Work Ireland Midlands – HERE4U; and the Youth Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Project.
They were highlighted as powerful resources for young people at the showcase event on Tuesday last.
Carrie Lynch, programme facilitator for the Youth Community and Well Being Action plan, shared one of the highlights of the projects during her remarks at the event. “We ventured to the boglands of Lough Boora, the calming waters of Portlick and even the Sliabh Bloom mountains, where life skills and the saving grace of the Rosary led us back to the bus,” Carrie said.
She also gave an insight into the effect the mental health projects have had on young people in the county by reading out testimonials.
Alice Joyce (15) said: “As part of the healthy Ireland group, it has helped me out in my wellbeing life and I hope there are more groups in the future. My highlight was when we got lost in the Sliabh Bloom mountains, the life skills and memories will stay with me forever,” Alice said.
Another young person, Sean, explained how the programme gave him a safe space that made him feel accepted. “Mental health has been a major factor in my life. When I found the group and realised that LGBTI was accepted, it was great, I really felt like I belonged. I have grown in self-confidence and have appreciated having a space to feel safe and know I’m not being judged,” Sean said.
Carrie also highlighted how mental health and providing safe outlets for young people was so important to the group.
“The community mental health project gave everyone who took part the opportunity to explore areas of importance to them; to grow and hopefully be in a better position to deal with their own mental health issues.
“It is so important and is at the forefront of everything we do, that young people to find an outlet that works for them,” she said.
She also referenced a successful hospitality training course delivered in partnership with Westmeath Community Development.
Eileen McArdle, HERE4U programme facilitator, spoke with passion about the benefits it had for youths experiencing difficulties in their lives and needing a non-judgemental listening ear. HERE4U funded through Healthy Ireland was a one-to-one service that took place online and in-person when restricted were lifted.
During the 2020/2021 academic year 65 young people in the Mullingar, Rochfortbridge and Athlone areas engaged with the service and 240 sessions were provided.
In acknowledging the great work undertaken by Youth Work Ireland Midlands in relation to the two actions, Minister Feighan, mentioned the difficulties that the services have experienced for the last two years, and thanked Youth Work Ireland Midlands for being there for young people in a time of unprecedented need.
The minister was grateful to all the groups for inviting him to visit their projects and mentioned that this was a particularly positive aspect of his brief.
On the day, Minister Feighan praised the work being done by the local community. “The last two years have been very difficult for our country and community and it’s great to see the work that was done here; that the staff was able to turn up to provide a service, but also the work being across the community, the frontline works as well,” he said.
On hand to greet the minister at Grange Resource Centre were Geraldine Lacey, CEO Youth Work Ireland Midlands, Catherine McEntee, Mullingar Youth Project Coordinator, and leas-cathaoirleach Cllr Bill Collentine. Also in attendance were members of the Youth Work Ireland Midlands board and staff, Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board and the HSE.