Tipperary young people showcase their Youth Citizenship at National Event

The Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards took place in Citywest Hotel & Conference Centre on Saturday April 29th, 2017 where over 2300 young people from throughout Ireland showcased their work in the community.

204 groups took part in the awards with projects covering topics such as equality; homelessness; mental health; culture and much more.

 

The Tipperary projects were:

Tipperary young people showcase their Youth Citizenship at National Event

Eric O’Brien, Foróige Area Manager and Collette Quinn, An Garda Síochána present Emily O’Reilly and Amy Lombard, The Shamrockers, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, with a Certificate

Our Genderation, Carrick-on-Suir NYP, Co. Tipperary

Young people in Carrick-on-Suir identified a need to destigmatise the LGBTQ+ community following homophobic discrimination in their schools and community. Aware of the lack of safe spaces and services for the LGBTQ+ community outside of Dublin, Our Genderation began their campaign for inclusivity. The group began by making their Foróige space more gender neutral and painting a Christmas window display in the local café with inclusive messages. The group continued their efforts through selling rainbow jelly bands and wearing tie dye t-shirts.

Sitting With Sadie, Carrick-on-Suir NYP, Co. Tipperary

This group befriended an elderly lady in their Community called Sadie. Sadie has no family in Ireland so they visit her every week and bring her out on outings. Sadie is in her eighties but is a very good talker and the girls have learned a lot from her sharing experiences. The young people visit, do her nails, and sometimes bring her to lunch.

The Shamrockers, Nenagh, Co Tipperary

The Shamrockers, after discussion about the important issues which affect them day to day, decided to raise awareness of Pieta House and Foróige. In order to raise awareness and much needed funds, the group held a bake sale at the local St. Patrick’s Day parade as they felt this would enable them to reach a large group of people. Everyone got involved in the project between advertising, providing music and designing the stand and of course baking. Any remaining baked goods were donated to St. Conlan’s Nursing Home.

Tipperary young people showcase their Youth Citizenship at National Event

Martin Donohoe, Foróige and Yvonne McKenna, Gáisce present Jodie Dowley and Callie Power, Sitting With Sadie, Carrick-on-Suir NYP, Co. Tipperary, with a Certificate

Nenagh Youth Project Girls Homework Club, Co. Tipperary

The group decided to take part in Foróige’s Fab Feb by designing an anti-bullying campaign. The group created a list of helpful tips for young people in their school. They then created a display board to include the poster with tips on what to do if you are experiencing bullying. They sought permission from the school principal to display the poster in the school.

 

Sean Campbell, CEO of Foróige said “with the support of Aldi the Youth Citizenship Programme has gone from strength to strength. This programme empowers young people to make positive change in the world through examining their local community, coming up with a way to make it a better place and then working hard to make it happen.

“We are so proud of everything these young people have achieved in their communities and it’s wonderful to see all the skills they’ve gathered in the process. From planting a flowerbed, to renovating a community kitchen, to building a recording studio and making a memorial from a WWII aeroplane; these young people have gained essential life skills whilst making the world a better place.

 

Tipperary young people showcase their Youth Citizenship at National Event

Miriam Ryan, Foróige Area Manager and Eddie Murphy, Aldi Ireland with Ashling Dunphy and Emma Ullrich, Our Genderation, Carrick-on-Suir NYP, Co. Tipperary

Finbar McCarthy, Group Buying Director with Aldi Ireland said “Aldi is proud to support the Youth Citizenship Awards for the third year running. Through our links with Foróige we have seen first-hand the passion and dedication of the young people, clubs and adult volunteers involved in bringing active citizenship to the fore in local communities.

“We at Aldi are also passionate about championing and supporting local communities. In each of the communities served by our 129 stores we strive to be responsible and to go above and beyond in our relationships with local residents, suppliers, fellow businesses, as well as charity and not-for-profit organisations. Through our community support programme, we are proud to help a diverse range of national and local initiatives thrive, benefitting communities across all 26 counties in areas such as health and wellbeing, poverty, food waste and the environment, as well as youth citizenship. The Awards have attracted a record level of entries and every project entered serves as an important reminder that we all have the potential to be good citizens, and that means taking action to bring about change for the better.”

Tipperary young people showcase their Youth Citizenship at National Event

Valerie Scully, Foróige and Noel Birchall, Aldi Ireland present Summer McCormack and Christina Doheny, Nenagh Youth Project Girls Homework Club, Co. Tipperary, with a Certificate

The event was opened by Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Helen McEntee TD. DJ Jenny Greene MC’d the awards ceremony and played DJ sets throughout the day and music was provided by bands Seo Linn and The Strypes.

Comments are closed.