Greenhouse initiative helps Tuam youths to flourish
Space and a place of their own
A GREENHOUSE established at the Tuam branch of Youth Work Ireland aims to provide a place where young people feel they belong and can be proud of.
Youth Work Ireland works with young people between the age of ten to 24 years and the new initiative encourages young people it works with to get involved in some gardening activitivies.
The idea for the greenhouse came about when Community Youth worker Sandra Molloy realised that a lot of young people don’t have the opportunity to grow something at their own homes.
“They told me that they were not allowed to do dig a flower bed or sow something in their own garden, in case they make a mess,” explained Ms Molloy.
The conversation inspired her to think of all the young people who live in estates and don’t really have a space to grow something of their own.
St. Vincent de Paul has provided the space for the greenhouse building with the help from building manager Gerry Brady. Funding for the development was secured under Youth Climate Justice Fund through Youth Work Ireland.
The greenhouse went up at the end of February and was launched officially last Friday, June 19.
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AT the opening in Tuam were Mike McDonagh, Darren McDonagh and Liam Murray. All photos: Ray Ryan RAY RYANImage 2 of 5
AT the opening in Tuam were Joanne Hennessy, Maria Courtney, Alisha Ward and Sgt. Denise Kelleher. RAY RYANImage 3 of 5
SYLWIA Gryczuk, YWIG Community Youth Worker, Katie Sweeney, Schaneice Sweeney and Grace Hennessy at the opening of the greenhouse. RAY RYANImage 4 of 5
SANDRA Molloy cuts the tape at the opening of the Youth Work Ireland initiative in Tuam. RAY RYANImage 5 of 5
AT the official opening were Sandra Molloy, Cllr Siobhan McHugh Ryan and Lisa Mannion. RAY RYANSandra Molloy told The Tuam Herald that the greenhouse is not just about what is being produced in there, but what the young people are getting out of it.
“For many it’s a place where they feel a sense of belonging and where they know they matter. That feeling of being part of something alive, something that depends on them as much as they depend on it is so joyful,” she remarked.
“It’s also about learning that not everything we grow is going to produce something, some things are going to die too and learning to deal with that and how to come back and start again is part of what we do here,” explained Ms Molloy.
The young people attending the centre have already started harvesting some of the vegetables that were planted a few months ago and are excited to grow more vegetables and fruits in the coming months.
Young Kyra Brennan is delighted to have the greenhouse and is planning to grow peppers there, while Isabella Waters wants to plant her favourite vegetable - carrots.
“I like planting and growing stuff more than art and I'm looking forward to growing more vegetables,” said Isabella.
Eleven-year-old Sofia Andolfo told The Tuam Herald that she likes spending time in the greenhouse, since she doesn’t have a big garden at home.
“I like picking the vegetables when they are ready,” she said.