PRESS RELEASE

Dublin, 29th May 2015: Three youth groups celebrated their graduation from the Young Social Innovators’ Youth in Community pilot program at a ‘Speak Out’ and certificate presentation held at Croke Park yesterday.

Each participating team was responsible for a social innovation project which makes a difference to the lives of people in the local community. The team members were invited to speak out for three minutes about their issue to a panel of judges including Mary Cunningham, Director, National Youth Council of Ireland, Sharon Murray, Education Consultant and Trainer, Young Social Innovators and Sergeant Eamonn Tuohy, Juvenile Liaison Officer, An Garda Síochána.

The groups’ diverse presentations highlight their innovative responses to a range of issues affecting young people today; WHOT! Youth Group from New Ross, Co. Wexford are in the process of designing a mural for the town, IgnYte group from The Mill, Drogheda are developing a wheelchair accessibility app and Ballyfermot Youth Service are exploring the relationship between young people and the Gardaí within the local community.

Following the Speak Outs, members of each group, along with their project guide were presented with a certificate of participation. Graduating teams took part in 3 social innovation cafés and onsite training throughout the program, which was supported by the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP).

Gerry Raleigh, Director of the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) said “The HSE NOSP is delighted to support the YSI Youth in the Community project and congratulate the YSI, all the young people, and the YSI guides who participated. The three projects undertaken by these young people were nothing short of inspiring and highlight the power of these young people’s voices and the positive contributions that they make to their communities and peers.”

--ENDS—