Not just the members who miss Foróige club

By Sarah Slevin

For the last year, young people have been missing the structure and engagement that their local Foróige clubs provide.

St Joseph’s Youth Club was set up 10 years ago in Streamstown for those aged 12-18 in the Horseleap, Streamstown and Boher area.

Club member, Adam Kelly (17), said it is being missed during the lockdowns. "I think it’s the structure to the week that we miss. We would’ve been meeting on a Friday so it would be something to look forward to for the week, and something to plan for as well."

"It’s really been missed, but also the big events and projects as well. It’s nice coming up with different ideas," he said.

As club secretary, Adam has been involved in all club projects.

When restrictions were less strict, club members were able to do some outdoor projects in small numbers.

"It’s been a real shame we haven’t been at it in the last year. We had a good few projects lined up and then Covid got in the way."

"We still managed to get a few done, we did our sensory garden on the Mullingar to Athlone greenway. It’s become a huge success since it went in, it’s developing nicely," he said.

Adam said that the community, as well as the members have been missing the club during the temporary closure.

"We’re eager to get back. When Foróige was on, it was evident how much work was done. We developed an organic weed-killer before Covid, and it was being used by the Tidy Towns in the village, to reduce the chemicals being used.

"And we would usually do litter-picking during the year, which both the community and the club would miss," he said.

Although many other activities have been able to move online, Adam said that would not have worked well for Foróige.

"It was a club idea that because most of the members are in secondary school, and because of the lockdowns, everyone was on screens all day for classes. You wouldn’t have much engagement then if you had another hour online after school," he said.

This was also something that Joe Flanagan, leader of the Moyvoughley Foróige club, agreed with after they had tried it for a short time.

There have been other online initiatives that Adam and others have been able to take part in. "Foróige is still giving different initiatives and hosting different events which would allow you to meet online, like their Leadership for Life modules are very good."

"I’m on module three now, which is the last module, and it’s working very well; you get to meet different people and keep engaged over the lockdown. There’s also a community action project so you’re also enhancing your local community while doing it," he said.

Young people in general have been missing out on a lot during Covid, and Adam said that even though efforts have been made to keep some things going, it has not been the same.

"I play football with the local club, St Joseph’s, as well, and it’s been over a year now since football was properly running. There has been great engagement with the players and the mentors for keeping the fitness up with different activities being sent every week."

"It’s still not the same because the main reason we do activities is getting out and meeting people every week, which is the main part we’re missing," he said.