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Get Back Clubbing Event - 18th September
Source: Westmeath Examiner
An expo at Columb Barracks on Saturday served as a taster and a learner event for Youth Work Ireland Midlands (YWIM), as they are planning to hold more of them, including in some of the smaller towns and villages across Westmeath.
Eileen McArdle is Rural Clubs and Volunteer coordinator with YWIM and she organised the event with Gerard Keena who runs CoderDojo Mullingar and also volunteers with the Mullingar Charity Variety Group.
Gerard is also a board member of YWIM, and it was from working on those various commitments that the idea to hold a showcase event for youth activities was born.
National Lottery Good Causes Award for The YoYo Youth Cafe
Source: Westmeath Examiner, November 5, 2019
The YoYo Youth Café in Mullingar – described as a “safe haven” for young people – has won the Youth Award at the 2019 National Lottery Good Causes Awards.
The club received the award at the gala National Lottery Good Causes Awards, held in the Clayton Ballsbridge Hotel in Dublin on Saturday night (November 2). YoYo Youth Café is organised through Youth Work Ireland Midlands and provides youth led activities and events for young people in Mullingar. It offers recreational and needs based educational activities to young people and their families.
Through National Lottery funding the club organised ‘Music Jam’ sessions in the hall and music room for more than 90 young people from the Mullingar area. The facility allowed young people who, through lack of financial, geographic or cultural norms access, would otherwise have not had the opportunity to get involved, to discover and enhance their musical ability.
The National Lottery Good Causes Awards honour the inspiring work and achievements of thousands of projects, clubs and individuals from all over Ireland who, with the help of National Lottery Good Causes funding, have had an impact on their communities.
Thirty six finalists gathered for an awards dinner hosted by broadcaster and journalist, Gráinne Seoige, with support from social media influencer and presenter, James Patrice.
Presenting the representatives from YoYo with their prize, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan said: “Community is at the heart of all we do in Ireland and the inspiring National Lottery Good Causes Awards finalists have excelled in their use of Good Causes funds to benefit their localities and the wider society.
“Good Causes funding has helped us build a better Ireland and has given communities opportunities they would not have had otherwise.”
Andrew Algeo, CEO of the National Lottery, said: “I would like to congratulate the YoYo Youth Cafe team and each of our other six category winners who make an incredible difference to the lives of many in their communities. “These are just a few of the 4,000 great causes that improve life in Ireland and which are funded each year by National Lottery players. It’s a real motivator and inspiration for all of us at the National Lottery to see that funding at work.”
Techspace Educator of The Year 2019
Following a successful integration of STEAM education among our staff and young people, we were delighted to be recognised for our advocacy of the Techspace programme among our young people's development and our youth work.
The award was presented at this year's Techfest in the Convention Centre, Dublin, to Tracey Moore, Service Manager.
Volunteer Achievement Awards
Eileen Kelly December 2016
Youth Work Ireland Midlands are proud to announce local volunteers recognised as recipients in this year’s Youth Work Ireland Volunteer Achievement Awards.
Jackie Flannery, Athlone Youth Clubs, Co. Westmeath and Marian Fitzpatrick, from Clara Youth Club, Co. Offaly, were among the 5 recipients from around the country and have been recognised for their dedication and commitment to volunteer youth work in this years’ prestigious Youth Work Ireland (YWI) National Volunteer Achievement Awards (VAA’s). The awards recognise outstanding achievement by volunteers around the country who deliver or assist in delivering youth work. The Volunteer Achievement Awards are part of Youth Work Ireland National Programme and have been in existence now for almost 20 years.
See more on our Volunteer Page.
Minister Dr. Katherine Zappone visits Youth Work Ireland Midlands in Athlone
Tracey Moore September 2017
Youth Work Ireland Midlands were delighted to welcome the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. Katherine Zappone to our project in the Monsignor McCarthy Complex on Monday 4th September.
Welcomed by our young representatives of Westmeath Comhairle na nÓg and the CEO, Vice Chairperson and commrades, the Minister was warmly introduced to all around her as she began her snapshot journey into our world of youth work in Westmeath.
Joined by her colleague Kevin Boxer Moran TD, our young people who represented both Westmeath Comhairle na nÓg and Youth Work Ireland Midlands hosted a great afternoon showcasing our projects and services. The young people who spoke were an absolute credit to their projects, schools and families. We are so proud of the work we share with them when we see them in action!
Youth Work Ireland Midlands Youth Event
Kevin Costello November 2016
On Wednesday 2nd of November, Youth Work Ireland Midlands held a youth event in the Battery Heights Complex. This event is part of the Link Up Programme and brings together young people from all areas around Athlone to compete in Darts, Snooker, Pool and Fifa competitions. The purpose of this link-up event is to promote positive relationships between young people in a safe, supportive and comfortable environment.
Youth Work Ireland National Conference 2016
Kevin Costello November 2016
On Saturday 22nd of October, Youth Work Ireland held their 2016 National Conference in Dublin Castle, The theme of the conference was Mental Well Being. In the Well Being Hub two of our coordinators, Joanne Naughton from Athlone Youth & Community Project (AYCP) and Eithne Fallon from the Athlone Looking Forward (ALF) project, facilitated a presentation on Youth Work Ireland Midlands Challenge Programme for young people in Athlone.
Also at the conference Joanne, Eithne and our Regional Director Geraldine Lacey had the opportunity to meet Katherine Zappone, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, who was very enthusiastic about the programme
Youth Work Ireland Midlands Launch Night
Padraig McGrath November 2015
After a long history of working with young people in counties Westmeath and Offaly, Midlands Regional Youth Service is no more. Instead Youth Work Ireland Midlands takes the helm as the leading provider of youth work services in the region.
Volunteer Achievement Awards
Padraig McGrath October 2015
Two volunteers from the Midlands picked up Volunteer Acheivement Awards at Youth Work Irelands' Annual Conference last Saturday. Danny Duarte and John McNamara were deservingly presented with the prestigious award for their hard work and dedication to Midlands Regional Youth Service.
