Bantry
Integrated
Development
Group

YOUTH & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Contact Chris Black, Youth & Community Development Officer for further information

Aims

This service aims to provide support and assistance in the delivery of youth services to youth and community initiatives in the catchment area.

	The Youth and Community Development measure is an additional service offered by BIDG in the current programme 2000-2006. Recent research based on the BIDG catchment population has identified particular service needs/shortfalls in the area.
	BIDG has identified existing statutory and voluntary services to youth in the area and consequently the gaps in youth service provision thereby allowing us to work as a support to fill such service gaps.
	Finally in co-operation with all stakeholders, BIDG is involved in a comprehensive and demand driven youth service for the catchment area.

A range of projects has been developed for young people including Summer camps, Drama Programmes, Early School Leaver Initiative and Art Projects.

Priority areas for intervention include the following:

	Development of a youth forum.
	Development of a youth network. www.bantryyouth.net
	Drugs and alcohol awareness-A programme for young people particularly less than 15 years of age.
	Health education programmes.
	Parenting skills programmes for young and single parents.
	Suicide preventative education and counselling programmes aimed both at young males in the age range 15-24 years and youth professional workers.
	Homework clubs for young people.
	Locally based child psychology and family therapy service.
	Drop in facilities for young people in particular females from 14-20.
	Personal development and support programmes for young people.
	Political and civic education and development programme for young people.
	Training in IT for non-joiners.
	Expansion of the Encouraging School and Learning Initiative (ESLI), and continued support to primary schools under ESLI.
	Information on the negative effects of leaving school early on income and career opportunities.
	Training in activities in arts for young people.
	Through 'creative intervention' the aim is to improve self-esteem of those at risk of leaving school early and encourage them down the route of training and employment.

For Further information on any of our Youth Initiatives contact:

Chris Black,
Youth and Community Development Officer,
Bantry Integrated Development Group,
Unit 13,Enterprise Centre,
Rope Walk, Bantry

Tel: 027 52266
Fax: 027 52251