Introduction & Mission Statement

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Carlow Regional Youth Services is a local voluntary service affiliated to the National Youth Federation. It was set up in 1988 with one part-time worker and its mission was "to support and promote community based youth work. To provide direct programmes and services for young people at risk and to support young people by putting their agendas on the agendas of the decision makers".

Kathryn Wall
Regional Director

We are currently working on the following initiatives:

• The development of the activity space, funded by the Health Service Executive, which we call “The Hub".
• The new project for Graiguecullen under the Dormant accounts fund and the Department of Education.
• The new "Vault" Project funded by the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund and the V.E.C.
• The new "Hub" Project funded by the Garda Diversion Fund
• The extension of the C.C.D.I. project with funding from the Regional Drugs Task Force.
• The continuing success of Folláine, our counselling service.
• Space for work in the New Oak/Tullow Road area thanks to New Oak Community Centre.

These initiatives have enabled us to provide direct services for young people in a comfortable and pleasant environment.

The work of volunteers, which is vital to the delivery of the services, received major recognition when the chairperson was awarded a National Volunteer Achievement award for her role in the management structure of the service. The contribution of the volunteers who give of their time and expertise cannot be overvalued.

Participation in youth programmes are an important component in the personal development and social education of young people. Involvement means that the young people have opportunities to explore issues, try new activities, make friends and have fun in a safe and supportive environment.

Activities like:

• The Christmas Concert in Hacketstown where up to eighty young people each had their time in the spotlight and the opportunity to be a star.
• The Civic Link Programme exploring issues in the local area and comparing the solutions with a partner group in Banbridge.
• Participating in a “Time-Out” weekend in the Wicklow Mountains

All provide participants with experiences the value of which may not be seen for many years to come.

Dáil Na NÓg and the Youth Forum provided over seventy participants with a chance to focus on the democratic process and to debate and discuss items of interest with young people from all over Ireland.

"If we value tomorrow let us help young people today"