Issue 68: June 2011 - Youth Work Ireland

CRYS Youth Work WeekbyAoife Walsh, CRYSABOUT THE SERVICE:Carlow Regional Youth Service (CRYS) wasestablished in 1988. Since then we have become theprimary Youth Work provider in County Carlow. Wehave almost 50 staff employed in the service acrossten projects which provide a range of services toyoung people aged 8‐23 years. Our services includeAfterschools Programmes, Junior Youth WorkProgrammes, Teenage Youth Work, Drop‐in Facilities,Youth Participation Programmes, Youth LeadershipTraining, Specialist Youth Work Support Services,Youth Sports Development, Volunteer Training andFETAC Accredited Youth Work Training.QUALITY STANDARDS WORK:As part of our Strategic Plan and in line with YouthWork Ireland Quality Standards Framework, we aimto develop our organisational capacity to deliver aneffective and quality service. We underwent the QSFPeer Assessment in September, 2010, and had anextremely positive experience.GETTING STARTED:A Committee of six staff members was formed andwe set to work. The first task was to consult theyoung people who were currently engaged with theservice, about what they think would help to raisethe profile of the service. After consultation thecommittee focused on 4 main events which wouldtarget young people and also the parents of youngpeople around the County. It was agreed that themessage we deliver should be of the service as awhole, not focus on specific projects.THE MAIN EVENTS:A newspaper supplement in the local paper wassponsored by local companies. Their sponsorshipallowed the feature to run free of charge to CRYS.The article delivered a general message about theorganisation and we also advertised our SummerProjects for young people in the County.A key recommendation of the QSF Peer AssessmentTeam was in relation to our Public Relations Policy.In response, the Board of Management and staff ofthe organisation organised a Youth Work Week toraise the profile of the services around the County.Carlow Regional Youth Service Youth Work Weektook place from the 3 rd to 7 th May 2011.Young people giving our sports equipment a go!Cleaning up after the community WorkshopA number of interviews were organised on the localradio stations at various times during the day. Thiswas an opportunity for young people and staff to talkabout the services and explain that it was a servicefor all young people. A highlight for our Irish YouthMusic Awards band ‘The Mongs’, was playing live onair to people in County Carlow and Kilkenny on KCLRFM.Irish Youth Work Scene 16 Issue 68, June 2011