Youth club in running for major award

Youth club in running for major award

24 August 2016

KILLYLEAGH Youth Club is in line for a major award.

The Youth Club has been nominated by Newry, Mourne and Down Council for the all-island IPB Awards which are run in association with Co-Operation Ireland.

The competition sets out to acknowledge the hard work that communities are doing, and the Killyleagh Club has been nominated to showcase its outstanding example of a local community responding effectively to a local problem.

Recognising that young people in the town had nowhere to come together, a group of volunteers opened the Killyleagh In every Friday night between 9.15pm and 11.15pm at the Bridge Centre as part of the local authority’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership action plan. 

The volunteers lobbied councillors and made representations to the local council to extend the opening hours and provide staff cover in the Bridge Centre on a Friday night. A 12-week pilot scheme was agreed and following its success, the club continues to welcome 30 to 40 young people each night into a safe, warm and inviting environment. Two years down the road, statistics prove the initiative is still having a positive impact on reducing anti-social behaviour in the town.  

Young people who attend the club have the opportunity to participate in a variety of programmes such as beauty therapy, boxing, football and talent shows. On a regular basis, guest speakers give talks on issues such as drugs/alcohol, personal safety and staying safe on line. 

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairwoman, Gillian Fitzpatrick, said Pride of Place is an ideal platform to recognise the huge efforts being made in communities throughout the district and paid tribute to the Killyleagh Youth Club volunteers for their “outstanding efforts in making their community a better place for everyone.”

She continued: “All we have to do now is await the awards ceremony outcome in November. Irrespective of the outcome, Killyleagh and its young people are fortunate to have such a band of committed and dedicated group of volunteers making a positive contribution to their community.”  

During their visit to Killyleagh last week, Pride of Place judges were impressed with the community initiative provided by a group of volunteers and enjoyed the presentation made by Chris Hagan from the Killyleagh Club. During a tour of the premises, the judges were able to witness at first hand the excellent work being carried out as they surveyed the eye-catching display of photographs and press cuttings. 

They were equally impressed with the various testimonials of support expressed during the judging event, with grateful parents, representatives from the PSNI, Fire and Rescue Service, Policing and Community Safety Partnership and local faith groups highlighting the difference the club had made, not only to its young members, but to the town as a whole.  

Rowallane councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews have congratulated Killyleagh Youth Club on its “outstanding success” since it was launched and praised the volunteers who willingly give up their time to run it. In particular, they singled out the efforts of Chris Hagan and his volunteers who work tirelessly on behalf of young people in the town.

“The presentation made to the judges was second to none and I hope the efforts of the hardworking volunteers will be rewarded and recognised at the forthcoming awards ceremony,” said councillor Walker. “I commend Chris and his team of volunteers for everything they have done for the young people in the town. They are to be commended.”

Councillor Walker added: “The model which has been developed in Killyleagh is one the Price of Place judges believe can be rolled out across Ireland which is a great testament to all those involved in the local initiative.”