Social Action Programme Think Big Celebrates Two Year Landmark
Think Big projects from around the country attend celebration event at The O2 to mark their achievements to date
Think Big today celebrates its 2nd anniversary by bringing together young people from around the country for a celebratory event in The O2, Dublin. Over the past two years O2 has invested over €1.6 million in its social action programme, Think Big, in partnership with Headstrong, which enables young people to do projects in their local community that make a difference to young people’s mental health. Since 2010, 200 projects have been funded across the country with up to 3,500 young people getting involved.
The Think Big celebratory event sees over 200 young people from around the country who have participated in the Think Big programme come together to celebrate their achievements over the past two years. The celebration event which takes place in The O2 in Dublin will feature art workshops, tours of The O2 as well as an exclusive gig by Irish band Royseven. One of the focal points of the day is where the young people will come together to design a large art installation to represent what Think Big has meant to them over the last couple of years. This part of the day will be choreographed by Morgan, one of Ireland’s most innovative artists over the last number of years. His work has moved from street level to the walls of galleries alongside the likes of Andy Warhol and Banksy.
Speaking at the event Eugene Mitchell, Marketing Director from O2 said: “Since November 2010 Think Big has approved over 200 projects, initiated and led by young people between the ages of 14 and 25 from every county in Ireland. As well as funding, we have been delighted to supported each participant with mentoring and ongoing training to help them bring their projects to life. It is fantastic to see so many young people here today and the range and scope of project ideas that young people have come forward with have been a constant source of pride to the Think Big programme. The ideas really showcase our young people’s creativity, resourcefulness, community spirit and genuine care for each other. We in O2 applaud each and every Think Big participant – 3,500 young people and counting – and we look forward to continuing to help them bring their projects to life.”
Tony Bates, Founding Director of Headstrong added: “The Think Big programme has grown and evolved into a dynamic movement that gives young people the support they need to do projects in their community. We’re delighted to witness young people’s passion on the issue of youth mental health. Young people understand how to communicate with their peers on this important subject. Giving young people ‘a voice’ has always been one of Headstrong’s core ambitions and this programme enables us to give them a voice in a very real way. We’re looking forward to working together with our partners in O2, to reach out further, wider, deeper and help more young people raise awareness of positive mental health. This movement is changing how Ireland thinks about Youth Mental Health – one project, one parish at a time.”
For more information on Think Big, log on to www.o2thinkbig.ie