New premises CYC in Fingal
The Minister for Health James Reilly TD will formally open a new premises for the Swords / Baldoyle Youth Service this morning (Friday 22nd) providing a range of services, projects, programmes and activities for young people in the North Fingal area. The Swords/Baldoyle Youth Service is a project of Catholic Youth Care and County Dublin V.E.C.
The new centre has been designed to the highest standards, with excellent new facilities and equipment for teenagers and young people in the area who have enthusiastically joined in the many activities available to them. These include a busy Youth café, an Arts programme, Youth Clubs, after school groups, faith development programmes ,summer projects, outward bound activities, and leadership training.
The project was set up in 1986 and caters for young people from the age of 12 to 25. It works with approximately 40 to 50 young people on a daily basis and is open year round. Manager Michael Daly, said today’s opening marks a new beginning for everyone involved. He said they were building on meeting a wide range of needs for young people at a crucial stage of their personal and social development; supporting them through peer activity and adult guidance. Mr. Daly said a measure of the success of the project was the enthusiastic take up from young people in the Fingal area for the many projects on offer.
The new premises was purposely designed to meet the needs of the young people it serves -including new meeting rooms, a custom built kitchen and staff facilities for administration spread out over 3 floors. There is a great sense of ownership by the young people over the building as they had a direct input into the design and layout of the premises. The facilities are used by both local groups and organisations including Youth Reach,’ Remember Us’ and ‘Snowflakes’, as well as two Disability groups for young people and their families.
Michael Daly said, “We operate an open door policy for young people, parents and volunteers. The groups and programmes which we run involve personal development, outdoor activities, social and political development. The young people themselves have a big input into the types of programmes run. One example of this would be the Youth Café which is directly run by the young people themselves and is run on a Friday night from 8pm till 11pm. Our catchment area covers, Swords, Baldoyle and Donabate.”
The official opening with Minister Reilly and the Mayor of Fingal County Council, Cian O Callaghan, takes place this morning (Friday 22nd) at 9:30am at the news premises at 17 Main Street, Swords Co. Dublin.
Also attending: Dr. Marie Griffin Chief Executive of County Dublin V.E.C, local parish priest Fr. Michael Carey, Crosscare/CYC Director, Conor Hickey, local public representatives, an Garda Siochana, Fingal County Council staff, HSE representatives, the Drugs Task Force, local community and parish groups, volunteers, local schools, local businesses and young people from both Youth Reach and those who participate in our programmes and activities.
Further information:
Michael Daly (manager) Tel: 01 840 5100 Swords / Baldoyle Youth Service 17 Main Street (Rear) Swords Co. Dublin
Photos will be available from John Mc Ilroy photos: 01 8310503
