Projects on bullying and alcohol granted funding from YouthBank

By JACQUELINE HOGGE SIX youth groups in the greater Tuam area have been awarded over €1,300 in funding as part of the town's youth bank awards scheme. Supporting initiatives to educate young people on the dangers of drugs and alcohol, addressing the lack of youth facilities in the town and helping to prevent bullying, the awards are the sixth annual allocation of funds by Tuam Youth Bank. Grants of €300 were awarded to Big Brother Big Sister, a scheme operated by Youth Work Ireland that allows older teenagers to mentor younger children; Faolchu Martial Arts Club and Tuam Social Sports Club. Intergenerational A Life Stages Group that involved an inter-generational project with the residents of Greenpark Nursing Home in the town received €250 while a group of teenage girls, Tuam Beurs Club, and McHale College Gaisce group were granted €200 and €100 respectively. The Youth Bank is made up of 12 committee members from each of the four secondary schools in the town and has been running since 2007.[private] 'YouthBank is a unique way of involving young people in grant making within their local community,' said Deirdre Burke, Community Youth Worker with Tuam Youth Services. 'The funding distributed by these decision-making committees supports projects designed and run by young people that address issues and concerns relevant to them and their community. 'YouthBank is not just about giving out grants. It is a personal development programme that will build young people's self-esteem and confidence and provide them with an opportunity to learn new skills in leadership, team-work, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, negotiation, report-writing, presentation skills, event management, interview skills and so much more.' Tuam YouthBank has granted over €20,000 to youth groups and clubs in the town over the past six years, through its host body, Youth Work Ireland Galway. 'A lot of the money has been raised through fundraising events over the past two years as there has been a dramatic cut to funding,' added Deirdre. Bag-packing 'The young people involved have organised bag packing drives in Joyce's Supermarket who have been great supporters. 'The teenagers raised €800 this year, which was matched in funding by the Irish Youth Federation. Without their support we wouldn't be able to support the groups and clubs that apply for financial assistance. 'Through grant making decisions, the committee have the choice to support clubs and groups locally, which keeps the link among the agencies and young people concerned.' Tuam YouthBank is open to all young people in the town and within a ten-mile radius of Tuam. For further information contact Deirdre on 083-3112173 or email tys@youth workgalway.ie. [/private]