A range of exciting programmes is being rolled out for children and young people living in the Donegal South West area, with the assistance of the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme.
The initiative is supported by the Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) cross border health partnership. The programmes have been developed by the CAWT Donegal South West Local Planning Group, which was set up over a year ago to improve outcomes for children and young people living in the Donegal South West area and is comprised of community, statutory and voluntary sector representatives.
Outlining the background to the initiative, Dr Aisling Gillen, National Specialist Family Support at the HSE said: “As a member of the CAWT cross border partnership, the HSE is delighted to be supporting this initiative for young people in the Donegal South West area.
“The range of programmes on offer were determined by a process of combining the information available about the well-being of children and young people, along with the views of children, young people and their families themselves in the area.
“The overall aim of the programme is to ensure that all children and young people are valued, connected and participate in their community.”
The programmes include:
§ Support for the establishment of a Youth Centre in Carrick in partnership with Foróige and South West Donegal Communities Partnership Ltd which will reach out to young people by providing a range of activities in a safe, supported environment;
§ Multi-media programme for young people to enable them to explore and display their lives in their community through computer and photography technology;
§ Camps for younger children to promote their overall health and well-being in partnership with Tir Boghaine Teo;
§ Provision of resources for pre-school children to promote play and learning in a safe and healthy environment, and for older children to encourage connection and participation within their community, in partnership with Dunkineely Methodist Church; and
§ Support to a carnival arts group to promote community connections in partnership with Lár Chomhairle Paróiste Ghleann Cholm Cille.
For further information about the programmes or about the work of the Donegal South West Local Planning Group, please contact: Úna Collier, Community Development Worker, CAWT Outcomes for Children Project, Tel: 087 0996999, Email: una.collier@hse.ie.
Photograph captions
CAWT 1: TOP: Young people using the new climbing wall at the Dunkineely youth club as part of the programmes delivered by the CAWT Donegal South West Local Planning Group.
CAWT 2: MIDDLE: Rev John & Vanessa Purdy (right) and members of the Dunkineely youth club who participated in programmes delivered by the CAWT Donegal South West Local Planning Group.
CAWT 3: BELOW: Zia McClean, Foróige and Daveth Fox who facilitated multi-media training programme for young people in Killybegs with the support of the CAWT Donegal South West Local Planning Group.
