CELEBRATING the achievements of young people, two outstanding Limerick projects have been recognised in the Tusla Child and Youth Participation Awards, which took place recently in Dublin.
The awards recognised services and projects that support children to have their voices heard when it comes to decisions that affect them.
The Buddy Reading Programme was developed as a Tusla seed funding project in 2020, in response to Covid-19. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength.
It is currently facilitated in four schools in Limerick City, coordinated by two school completion project STEPS and SSTAY.
The initial programme had two key objectives – to support and encourage primary school children with their reading and social development and provide opportunities for transition year students to participate in meaningful social placement and contribute to their community.
This academic year, 73 young people participated in the programme.
At its core in Limerick, the project revolves around the mentoring relationship between transition year students and students from Colaiste Mhichíl CBS, Coláiste Nano Nagle, Scoil Iosagáin CBS, and Our Lady of Lourdes National School.
The second Limerick-based project is The Gaggle Podcast, produced by young people involved with Foroige West Limerick Youth Initiative.
The exciting new venture has been developed by young people, for young people. To date, four episodes have been recorded and plans are in place to ensure it continues to establish a podcast made by young people that reflects their generation and leaves a legacy and testament to their time spent at the hub.
More than 200 young people and adults attended the awards ceremony, where 29 services from across the country were celebrated for their commitment to listening to the voices of children and young people.
Tusla partners with Gaisce, the Children’s Rights Alliance, the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman, Hub na nÓg, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth for the awards.
Keeping with the theme of participation, the ceremony was hosted by Cezy Focsa, a young person who has a track record of advocating for the rights of young people and accessibility for disabled people in Kilkenny.
Awards were presented by Kate Duggan, CEO of Tusla; Kevin McCarthy, Secretary General of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth; Bernie Laverty, National Project Manager of the Area Based Childhood Programme; Avril Ryan, CEO of Gaisce; and Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children.
