Youth Service Overview
We aim to provide a safe, non-threatening environment where young people can meet and socialise, build on their self esteem, develop their social skills and begin to take responsibility for shaping their own lives. We believe in young people and their ability and that every young person has something to offer. We recognise the importance of listening to the voice of young people and their community in a non-judgemental way.
St. Andrew's Talk About Youth Project was established in December 1994 and has flourished and developed many initiatives since it was established. The project now employs five full time and 2 part time staff under funding from the Special Project for Youth Fund, Local Drugs Task Force and the Young People's Facility and Services Fund. The project has a very experienced team of twenty local adult volunteers and a great team of junior leaders who are aged between 15 and 18 years.
The project has, and continues striving to provide, a caring professional service for the young people of the Pearse Street area. The project believes that 'young people learn what they live'.
The Talk About Youth project can be divided up into five main areas as follows: (a) The Mainstream project providing support for clubs, groups and training etc. (b) Drug Education, Awareness and Prevention,
(c) Outreach, (d) Alternative Sports & Music and finally (e) The Overall project bumper annual events. Also covered in this last area are funding, premises, networking and national issues that affect young people and so on.
Our Aim
The aim of the youth project is to inform, set up and develop projects and programmes in the community on a needs basis, thus providing a social, recreational and educational outlet aimed at meeting the needs of young people
Our Objectives
To develop relationships based on equality, fair play, participation and openness.
To give young people a sense of ownership of their project through full participation and providing programmes based on their needs.
To build on our relationships with young people through positive interaction, team building, and to promote and support the development of positive relationships between adults and young people.
To encourage participation and ensure the giving of information so young people have the choice to take part in decision making and involvement in all aspects of both group and project plans and in their own lives.
To use arts and crafts, sports, joint programmes with other agencies, discussion, outdoor education as a medium to address in a creative way the issues affecting their lives in society today.
TALK ABOUT YOUTH PROJECT:
CODE OF BEHAVIOUR FOR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS:
All staff/volunteers must be Garda vetted and trained in child protection.
Provide a safe and inclusive environment in the Talk About Youth Project, for all young people.
Treat everyone equally and fairly, both adults and young people and respect differences between people.
Be non-judgemental in our work.
Listen to young people and be conscious of their feelings.
Be open and welcoming to all young people.
Support each other in our work.
Do not tolerate bullying in any form.
Challenge bad, inappropriate or offensive language. If someone has a nickname, check with them if they want to be called by that name or their proper name.
Maintain boundaries between our work and personal lives, do not befriend young people on our personal Facebook, send personal texts or meet them outside of work. Group texts can be used to send them messages.
Make sure that adequate and appropriate supervision is in place for all activities. 1 adult for every 8 young people, with a minimum of 2 adults always present.
Do not give lifts to young people in your car.
Casual visits to young people’s homes to be avoided.
Make sure that no one is touched in any way that makes them feel uncomfortable; this does not preclude normal expressions of warmth and happiness.
Follow Health and Safety procedures making sure equipment, transport, facilities and trips away are safe for everyone.
Always be professional in our work and deliver programmes to high standards.
No smoking, drinking, or using illegal substances, while working with young people.