Youth Club - Wicklow Town

niamh6426

Hi,
I'm Niamh and I live outside Wicklow Town. I see that there is a Foroige in Wicklow town but from researching, I see that most of the members are in their early teens.

As we all know, the pressures surrounding alcohol & drugs that come with being a teenager start on average when teens finish the junior cycle in 3rd year & move in to Transition Year / 5th Year.

I've previously ran a youth club in the town I am originally from which specifically takes in 4th - 6th years (so the 15 - 18ish age bracket) which gives teens an outlet and the opportunity to meet like minded friends from different schools who don't want to succumb to the pressures of teen life & drinking alcohol. Ideally it would be great to be taken under the wing of a national organisation such as the No Name! Club.

Events I have previously organised are trips to adventure centres, old folks parties at Christmas time hosted by the youths, talent competitions, trips to Mountjoy Prison, fundraisers to raise funds for trips & to help other charitable organisations, send a box to Africa, discos at half terms / easter / end of year, cookery demonstrations, bowling, orienteering, variety show and interclub events so to mingle with other youth clubs among many others.

Ideally to set up a club in Wicklow town we would need in the region of 10 volunteers, not everyone has to be involved with the youths, there is a lot of background work that is required such as grant applications for funding etc, treasurer, secretary etc. A cross section of ages would be great too so from late teens (19+) onwards.

If anyone is interested in coming on board with a view to launching the club in September 2016 please get in touch & I'll organise a first meeting for November.

This is a really rewarding thing to do, its great to give teens an outlet where they are not pressured to take alcohol or drugs. I was a youth club member for 3 years and progressed to National Treasurer for the organisation I was part of (no longer in existence).

NOTE: I am in no way a pioneer, nor do I claim to be, this is all about giving teens an outlet & the choice.

Thanks!

bisset

The staff in Wicklow Child & Family Project in the Main St will be able to tell you about local services.