Lycs Annual Repport 2006 4sept

Lourdes Youth & Community Services Ltd

Awareness

Power

Change

Participation

Community

Country

Development

Annual Report

2006

Telephone:

01 836 3416

E-mail:

[email protected]

Website:

www.lycs.ie

Lourdes Youth & Community Services Ltd

Annual Report

2006

Address:

Lr Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1

Telephone:

01 836 3416 and 836 5984 Fax:

01 855 6445 E-mail:

[email protected] Website:

www.lycs.ie

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Acknowledgements We would like to take this opportunity to thank in particular the funding agencies for their support over the past year including: 

Dept. of Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs – Community Development Programme



FÁS



City of Dublin Youth Services Board



POBAL: • Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme • Dormant Accounts Fund



City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee (CDVEC)



Dept of Foreign Affairs: Irish Aid



Dublin City Council



Irish Youth Foundation



Dublin Docklands Development Authority

Lourdes Youth & Community Services Ltd

Our Philosophy

is:

To encourage people to be aware of their own power and how they can use it to effect change, and that every person has the right to participate fully in their own, their community’s, and their country’s development.

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Contents Page

1.

3.

Overview

4



Website

5



ICON Conference

5



Profile of LYCS

5

LYCS’s Programmes of Activity 

Community Training Centre

7



Adult Education Programme

13



Crèche

20



Youth Programme

25

4.

Administration & Security

31

5.

Appendices

31

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Overview of 2006 This was yet another action packed year for all 300 participants of Lourdes Youth & Community Services Ltd (LYCS). It was a year of celebration too with the following achievements:  The Adult Education Programme in partnership with Cairde continued to deliver an innovative ‘Women as Leaders’ programme for over 30 local and minority ethnic women.  Staff and CTC trainees surpassed themselves with 80% of trainees progressing to employment or further education opportunities.  The crèche opened for longer hours and more importantly is now in a position to offer childcare places to 33 children.  The Youth Programme continued to develop its much lauded Junior Leadership Programme which enables young local teenagers to become active citizens in their own community. An exciting new development for the organisation was the completion of the website Work on the new LYCS website began in late 2005, and the site was finalised a year later. After the research and initial tendering stage, we received a very attractive offer of sponsorship from Kainos, a leading Irish technology firm. The site was formally launched by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, on December 4th 2006. The site also provides specific Development Education section, which includes information on our Dev Ed resources, and an interactive local and world map. For the past year we have been in negotiation with our various funders to enable us to source funds to build a new community centre on the site which has been made available to LYCS; 40/41 Lr. Sean MacDermott Street. This has been a long road and one which we hope will reap rewards during 2007. The new facility will be a centre of social capital community service and active citizenship and it is a resource that the local community has been promised for many years. We would like to take this opportunity to thank staff for their contribution, energy, commitment and continuous sense of humour, which they our staff and volunteers bring to work every day – without which LYCS would not be the hive of activity that it is. Thanks are also due to the members of the the Management Board for their ongoing voluntary commitment, which is very much appreciated. We hope you enjoy reading this report and do contact us if you would like any more information about LYCS.

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Sarah Kelleher,

John Farrelly

Director.

Chairperson, Management Board.

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Website Work on the new LYCS website began in late 2005, and the final site was completed a year later. After the research and initial tendering stage, we received a very attractive free sponsorship offer from Kainos, a leading Irish technology firm. Throughout spring and summer of 2005, Kainos worked on the design brief, and the content was painstakingly gathered within LYCS. In early Autumn, the website was launched. A number of staff were trained in updating and site maintenance on a training day in Belfast, and the site was finally launched by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, on December 4th 2006, with the help of the technical experts from Kainos. The site is regularly updated by LYCS staff, with all the latest news, events and photos from LYCS’ four programmes. The site also provides a specific Development Education section, which includes information on our Dev Ed resources, and an interactive local and world map. Throughout 2007, more staff and participants will be trained in how to update the site, to ensure it stays fresh and relevant into the future.

ICON Conference LYCS attended the ICON conference in March 2006 which was held in Kilkenny over three days. Over 300 local residents and community activists attended. Several LYCS staff were actively involved in facilitating and attending workshops including: Childcare Workshop in partnership with the YPAR 0 – 5 years working group; Intercultural Workshop and the Education Workshop. Other Staff attended workshops on drugs. LYCS also had a stand at the conference which allowed community representatives and local people to access us easily and to discuss issues or concerns outside of workshops, in a more informal setting. The workshops provided a formal opportunity to get a sense of the needs and issues of the community, the outcomes of which are recorded in the ICON conference report. Each working group in YPAR is now addressing the issues that arose from the conference, all of which are attended by LYCS youth programme staff.

Profile of LYCS Lourdes Youth & Community Services (LYCS) was established in 1984, as part of a broad based community development movement, which emerged in Dublin’s north inner city in the late 70’s and 80’s. This community mobilisation was an

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attempt to combat the relentless economic and social decline being experienced in inner city Dublin. Families living in the area experience severe levels of economic and social disadvantage. Unemployment levels are high and the mis-use of drugs is widespread. LYCS is an integrated community based education, training, recreation and development project which is concerned with giving participants the opportunity to become involved in their own development and the development of their community. The organisation is locally based and participatory. Personal development is seen as inextricably linked to the development of local community resources.

To address the diverse needs of the local community LYCS operates four programmes: 

Community Training Centre (CTC) Forty Early School Leavers have the opportunity to gain certified training in FETAC Foundation & Levels 3, 4 and 5 and undertake the Junior Cert in a range of modules.



Adult Education Programme Provides informal training and education for over 100 women and men each week, all of whom have little or no history of formal education.



Crèche Full-time crèche provides 33 places for children from 1–5 years each day. Many of the parents of the children who use the crèche are drawn from all four programmes within LYCS and live locally.



Youth Programme The youth programme offers afternoon, evenings and weekend programmes for young people aged 10–21 plus regular trips outside of Dublin.

LYCS is based in three separate buildings all within the schoolyard of Rutland Street National School.  The School-on-Stilts accommodates the Youth Programme and the CTC.  The Craft Centre at the base of Rutland Street School accommodates the Adult Education Programme and the CTC Skill Centre adjoining it accommodates the Woodwork and Painting & Decorating work of the CTC.  The Crèche is based in one wing of Rutland Street School.

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Community Training Centre Funders: 

FAS



CDVEC.

40 full-time learners (age 16–21) participate in certified training / education each week and gain experience while on placement in a variety of different work environments

CTC Staff Tom O’Reilly: CTC Manager Maureen Downey: Job placement & Personal development Instructor Anthony Furlong: Pottery and Arts Instructor (Part time) Carol Higgins: Childcare Instructor (Part time) Angela McGreer: IT Instructor (Part time) Jim McLoughlin: Woodwork & Painting & Decorating Instructor Frances McCole: CDVEC Literacy Teacher Melanie Billings: CDVEC Psychological Services Mary Ward: Housekeeper Paula Gallagher: Housekeeper

Summary: LYCS Community Training Centre (CTC) is located in the School-on-Stilts at the back of the Rutland Street Primary School. The CTC is funded by FAS and offers a wide variety of training to suit the needs of the young people who attend. All learners are between the age of 16 and 21. The aim of the programme is to offer young early school leavers the opportunity to access training and education, assist them attain certification and to facilitate their progression onto further education and/or employment. By providing quality training, it is hoped that the CTC’s learners will either continue to do specific skills training, or continue in further education or compete for jobs.

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Overview of the Year Highlights & Achievements in 2006 Over the past year LYCS CTC experienced many positive changes, which have had a direct impact on the service being delivered for learners. A new programme timetable, the introduction of key-working, the development of Individual Learning Plans and Case Conferencing have all served to improve the quality of service and training available to the individual trainee and to the learners collectively.

Staff changes This year has seen some staff changes within the CTC. The new manager, Marie Keegan was appointed in July 2005 and moved on early in 2006. Jenny Place the part-time Drama Instructor moved on in December 2006. Tom O’Reilly joined the CTC as Manager in April 06.

New timetable & curriculum development The development of the new timetable has allowed for shorter training sessions, which meets the needs of our current age profile of trainee. All learners have an opportunity to access all courses over a two year period. Should a trainee decide to withdraw from one particular aspect of the programme they can now switch more easily onto a course which meets their needs. The new timetable has also provided the opportunity to offer learners a more individualised training programme, which allows them to change course / module if appropriate.

New Building The CTC along with the other LYCS programmes is looking forward to moving out of the current premises which no longer meets its needs. We hope to create a more learner friendly environment for learners and staff alike. In the meantime new furniture in our existing kitchen brightened up the area and most training rooms got repainted and fitted with new blinds.

FETAC Level 4 During the annual review in June 2006 a need to try to increase the levels at which we deliver courses as identified. The CTC began delivering FETAC level 4 courses in September 2006. This proved to be challenging, as it required a lot of planning and preparation, however learners are progressing well on the programmes and are on target to successfully completing the programme.

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New Learners During 2006 we saw an increase in the throughput in the centre. Over 40 young people left the centre during the year. 80% of learners who stayed for more than one month progressed to employment, with a small percentage going into further education. There are still more female than male learners, however because of the introduction of the ECDL course and a new Woodwork timetable, more male learners are attending. Alternative Programme of Activities 

Each summer the CTC embarks on an alternative programme of activity for all learners. This offers learners an opportunity to participate on new programmes and learn new skills. In 2006 activities included: Wood burning, T-shirt painting, art, games, window box gardening, trips outside of the centre.

Description of Client Group Being Serviced LYCS has identified the following groups of people as requiring the services offered by our CTC for the coming three years:

Early school leavers LYCS aims to work with 16 – 21 years who can be sub-divided into the following categories: Induction / Foundation / Progression: 

Young People who have left school without any exam.



Young people who have passed Junior Cert / Leaving Cert Applied and Leaving Cert albeit with poor grades and who still require support to access employment or further education.



Young people with special educational needs / at risk.

Local Trends Impacting on the CTC 

Young Men As LYCS CTC has had a majority of women accessing training in recent years, we have successfully recruited a significant number of young men onto the programme during the past 2 years.

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Single Parents There has been a huge demand for training from local single parents who are also early school leavers. This is, in part, due to the fact that LYCS operates a crèche which provides 28 affordable childcare places. Statistics show that 59% of parents in the immediate local area are lone parents. There has been a large number of enquiries from young women who are aged between 21 and 25 who have expressed a need to return to training and education. This cohort of young adults are not in a position to access mainline FAS training programmes due to poor literacy, low self esteem and confidence.



Socially disadvantaged The majority of learners are drawn from the five local secondary schools, four of which are designated as ‘disadvantaged’. There is a high level of social disadvantage in the local community.



Foreign Nationals LYCS has already recruited a number of foreign nationals onto the CTC programme which is an indication of the increasing numbers moving into the local area. Equality training for staff will be provided in 2007.

LYCS – CTC Statistics for 2006

Learner Placement Destinations – 2006

Age Profile of learners who joining the CTC in 2006 Age Range

Number of learners

16 – 17

35

18 – 19

10

20 – 21 Total

3 48

Number of learners Youthreach / Other CTC’s

9

Civil Service

1

Retail

4

Apprenticeships

5

CE

1

Banking

1

Returned to school

3

Unplaced

24 (see table below)

Total

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Learners who left the centre without a placement – 2006 Note:During the past 12 months 50 learners have left the programme. 14 of these learners were registered on the programme for 1 month or less. Number of learners Poor attendance

18

Personal / family reasons

3

Pregnancy

3

Unknown

2

Total

26

General Statistics for the NEIC Population Changes NEIC 1991–20021 1991

2002

0–14 years

4,883 (22.9%)

4,577 (14.9%)

15–24 years

3,842 (18.0%)

6,820 (22.2%)

25–44 years

5,806 (27.3%)

12,276 (40.0%)

45–64 years

3,779 (17.6%)

4,626 (15.1%)

64+ years

2,978 (14.0%)

2,421 (7.9%)

Total NEIC

21,288 (100%)

30,720 (100%)

Source: Census of Population, Small Area Statistics. The number of young people in the 15–24 years age category has increased significantly since 1991, from 3,842 to 6,820, and the number of people in the 25 – 44 year category has more than doubled in this same period.

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Table 4.3: Highest Level of Education 2002 Base: All persons 15 years and over whose fulltime education has ceased

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District Electoral Division education)

Primary (incl. no formal

Second Level – Incomplete

Second Level – Complete

Third Level

Not Stated

Ballybough A

692 (31.6%)

440 (20.1%)

402 (18.3%)

366 (16.7%)

292 (13.3%)

Ballybough B

504 (23.5%)

305 (14.2%)

469 (21.8%)

599 (27.9%)

271 (12.6%)

Mountjoy A

409 (20.1%)

312 (15.3%)

272 (13.3%)

371 (18.2%)

675 (33.1%)

Mountjoy B

311 (16.7%)

232 (12.5%)

320 (17.2%)

535 (28.7%)

464 (24.9%)

North City

174 (6%)

183 (6.3%)

498 (17.2%)

1405 (48.5%)

640 (22.0%)

North Dock A

224 (23.7%)

176 (18.6%)

218 (23.0%)

269 (28.4%)

60 (6.3%)

North Dock B

762 (28.8%)

512 (19.4%)

522 (19.7%)

572 (21.6%)

276 (10.4%)

North Dock C

477 (21.1%)

279 (12.3%)

337 (14.9%)

867 (38.3%)

301 (13.3%)

Rotunda A

358 (13.5%)

384 (14.4%)

482 (18.1%)

805 (30.2%)

633 (23.8%)

Rotunda B

173 (14.7%)

148 (12.6%)

206 (17.6%)

447 (38.1%)

200 (17.0%)

Total NEIC (% of Total)

4084 (19.6%)

2971 (14.3%)

3726 (17.9%)

6236 (29.9%)

3812 (18.3%)

Dublin

132,593 (17.4%)

136,170 (17.9%)

203,823 (26.8%)

238,175 (31.3%)

50,316 (6.6%)

State (% of Total)

552,220 (21.1%)

565,433 (21.6%)

724,099 (27.6%)

646,837 (24.7%)

133,869 (5.1%)

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Adult Education Programme Funded through: Dept Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs Community Development Programme, Irish Aid, Dormant Accounts, VEC. Staff: Colette Spears Noreen Byrne Philip Daly

Co-Ordinator Community Integration Worker Community Development Worker

Helena McNeill

Development Education Worker

Riona Rochford

Development Education Worker

Merlyn Cooke Jenny Arkins

Housekeeper Administrator (May – December)

Tutors Mary McCann Georgina Granaghan Charlotte Murray Paul Geraghty Kathleen Sankey Joan Bacon

Advisory Committee Volunteers Adrienne Annene

Sr. Mary Moynihan

Kay Boyle

Larry Wheelock

Linda Hyland

Michael Moore

Bernie Dunne

Lorraine Deegan

Berno Arkins Rosaleen Whyte Larry Molloy Molly O’Duffy Bernadette Sproule Marie Casey

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Aims of the Programme LYCS sought to consolidate and integrate the 2003 – 2006 work plan of the Adult Education Programme (AEP) into the actions for 2006 through the following objectives: 

To continue the provision of a basic education programme including induction and progression during 2005 – 2006 to 120 participants



To ensure understanding of the principles of community development and building participation within the AEP



To develop a new layer of leadership in the community



To consolidate our previous development education outreach programme locally and facilitate the integration of development education into the work of LYCS



To consult nationally with CDPs and education organisations on the establishment of a new service that will integrate development education into their work.

Overview In 2006 the Adult Education Programme had another successful year in achieving our objectives. Between January to June we completed certified and non-certified classes. One of these included a module previously developed by LYCS on Local and Global Development (FETAC Level 4). Thirty-two FETAC Certificates were achieved. Ninety-three participants were registered in September with 62 of these people new to LYCS. The following is a breakdown of the profile of our participants: AGES >

Total no.

18 – 25

26 – 35

36 – 45

46 – 55

56 – 65

66 +

Women

63

8

10

12

7

12

10

Men

29

3

10

3

6

5

2

Total

98

11

20

15

13

17

12

Age left school

Less than 12 years old Less than 15

27

Less than 18

24

Over 18 Third level

14

3

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Courses requested in order of demand Course Title

Number Requesting

Number able to facilitate

Basic Computers

32

18

Computers Fetac 4

20

18

Craft: Knitting &Crochet

19

16

Pottery

19

10

Reading and Writing

15

8 (majority special needs)

Art

11

11

Cookery

16

8

Ready Steady Cook for men

Notes

Added extra course

8

ESOL

10

All referred

Voter Education

2

Personal Effectiveness

10

10

Local and Global Development Fetac 4

16

16

Those who were unable to access courses were either referred to other agencies or put on a waiting list. At a Participants Forum all present were presented the final LYCS Participants’ Charter indicating the individual rights and responsibilities. This was accompanied by a grievance procedure. Once again participants were invited to participate on an advisory committee to the AEP. As part of our support to CDVEC tutors LYCS ran an induction session on the above documents, linking between staff and participants as well as an input on mental health from Schizophrenia Ireland. The first half of 2006 saw a new co-ordinating style given by Helena McNeill (Development Education Worker) who covered for maternity leave. Helena achieved this while facilitating and supporting 16 women in the FETAC level 4

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module on Local and Global Development alongside setting up mentoring relationships with local community and youth organisations on Development Education. From May to December the AEP had the support of an administrator who helped in setting up systems relating to participants, a resource library and databases. Unfortunately it was a temporary funded post which was discontinued, proving a significant loss to the adult education programme. Throughout the year the AEP networked with other CDPs, Development Education groups and participated in Cluster meetings led by Tosach Support Agency.

Participants and programme To facilitate the integration of participants into the adult education programme, the development of progression route in their educational and personal lives and to enable them to link with the wider community LYCS sourced funding for a Community Integration worker in 2005. The role of Community Integration Worker allowed for very valuable and appropriate work to happen. This work required both simplistic and sophisticated approaches to complex issues arising from negative life experiences. The causes and affects of these experiences can be found through exclusion from the education, health, and social welfare structures and this is evident in the social and economic exclusion of people from mainstream society.

Progression The approach used for this was one to one engagement with participants in order to record education and employment history, and explore options for further education and training or referrals to other services and agencies. Five people moved into full-time employment.

Support and Mentoring The provision of support and mentoring to local women participating in Leadership training enabled the women to manage the imposing effects of external influences e.g. family issues, childcare, health. The completion of assignments was another positive outcome of the support and mentoring provided to the women.

Organic process By this we refer to being active on a daily basis, responding to needs of people and the community as they occur. Community development work in its entirety

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often requires immediate responses. These situations and responses inform the future work, function and role of the Community Integration Worker and the Organisation. Ultimately the process and method used can and does empower people to discover they can be part of the solution. Thus becoming instrumental in their personal and community transformation. As LYCS enrol new participants annually this work is invaluable to the participants and the Organisation.

Certificate Ceremony At the end of courses in June an event was held in Killarney Court where Peter Sheridan presented certificates of participation, completion and Fetac Certificates. Food was prepared for the event by Georgina Granaghan and her Food and Nutrition / Cookery Class.

Advisory Committee Three meetings were held over the year, one to develop terms of reference, and the others discussed relevant themes such as linking with other education agencies and ideas on the meaning of literacy. This committee allows it’s local participants to be nominated to the LYCS Board of Management after 2 years participation.

Participation of Men Continuing the work of 2005 a men’s group met using guitar lessons as a tool to meet socially, hold discussions and explore issues in the community. Seven men attended and took part in the Aontas “Men in Education” Seminar and another group of men attended a play “Men at Work”. The guitar group performed at the end of year certificate ceremony in June, where they received certificates of participation. Following a facilitated meeting with the men’s group a tin whistle class was held from October to December and a “Ready Steady Cook for Men” course ran for six weeks resulting in an article in the Sunday Tribune in January 2007.

Attending Conferences and Seminars Participants were briefed before attending local, regional and national conferences, seminars, and meetings. Meetings included regional cluster meetings organised by Tosach, Banulacht conference, Aontas conference, and events with Calypso Theatre Company, GP representative from Royal College of Surgeons. Following these events participants were then de-briefed.

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Development education Development Education is a major part of the LYCS Adult Education Programme. It involves exploring issues relevant to the community from local and global perspectives. Essentially, Development Education is about linking the local to the global, and empowering people to become active players in our increasingly globalised world. In 2006, key activities included the delivery of FETAC local and global development modules as part of the Women as Leaders in Equality project: the development of the LYCS website; establishment of a resource library and database of materials and books related to the subject was established so that we can provide a lending resource to the community and to the CDPs regionally. Mentoring: Community and youth groups were approached and offered a mentoring service regarding the use of development education as a tool in social analysis. LYCS has entered a mentoring relationship with Swan Youth Services. The aim of this work is to support the staff / management to integrate development education into the work they do.

Seminar on Health Inequality During One World Week in November a seminar was delivered in partnership with Practice and Participation of Rights Project and Cááirde on Health Inequality in the Community. 30 people attended. Representatives from 8 organisations including the Health Promotion unit of the HSE were in attendance.

MULTI-Cultural Fun Day LYCS played a key role in the organisation and promotion of the Dublin Multi-Cultural resource centre Multi Cultural Fun Day. 390 people attended and approximately 40 young people participated in development education workshops involving art, west African drumming and Brazilian Capoeira.

Women as leaders is equality programme The aim of the Women as Leaders programme was to empower women to become more active in their community. This 18 month project in partnership with Cairde saw 11 women complete FETAC level 4 Local and Global Development with 3 distinctions and 6 merits and 7 FETAC level 5 Community Development.

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In September the ethnic minority women joined the Dublin inner city women to work on issues relating to gender, health and education. The participants were women who are traditionally removed from mainstream training opportunities, who do not hold any qualification, or qualifications recognised in Ireland. Participants included disadvantaged minority ethnic women and disadvantaged Irish women living in Dublin’s North East Inner City.

It is my right in LYCS Adult Education Programme:  To receive a basic education  To be treated with respect  To receive a welcome every time I enter the building  To be in a safe and clean environment  To be free from bullying, slagging, intimidation and harassment  To have nobody intoxicated by drugs and alcohol in my class  To have a class that is not disturbed  To be heard  To have my privacy respected  To feel comfortable asking questions  To have a good induction to the project and building (fire escapes and fire drills)  To make a complaint if l feel my rights are not being respected or if l have a problem or difficulty

From the Participants’ Charter Participants’ comments: “The people here are so friendly and helpful. Everyone is encouraging!” “Coming here has really improved my life. Education is very good.” “I got here when I met people delivering leaflets on the street. I was trying to involve myself in this community so I started here in LYCS.” “People should come here because they can really improve their life.” “I knew nothing about computers, computers are the future. Now I want to get one for home. I can show my kids up now.” “I got a job today and I don’t think I would have got it if I hadn’t done this computer course.”

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First Steps Childcare centre Opening hours: Mon –Fri: 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.  33 children under 5 years access full-time, part-time and sessional places each week  Work based training for C.E. Workers  Student placements from Colleges

Funding:  Dept. Justice, Equality & Law Reform  Dept of Family & Social Affairs

Staff:  Jackie Maguire Childcare & Youth Programme Manager  Monica Brady Crèche Supervisor

Childcare Workers:  Wendy Byrne



Michelle Costello



Esther Coyle

 Michelle King



Marisa Kinlan



Amanda Meehan

 Sandra Pethke



Aoife Rogers



Joanna Walsh

 Flora Whelan



Sabrina Whelan



Linda Page

Housekeeper 

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Childcare Programme Aims First Steps crèche prides itself on its child-centred approach and aims to offer each child a safe, caring environment in which to develop physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially. We also aim to ensure that learning takes place in a fun environment for children and to foster strong relationships with parents. First Steps crèche is a community crèche and works from a not for profit ethos. Therefore, all funds that we generate go back into developing the service and enhancing the childcare experience for all of our children. We give priority to parent(s) resident in the local area who are in employment or education. We work from an equality perspective, ensuring that myths regarding gender, race, class etc are dispelled through all the activities we do. We also recognise the diversity of our children and reflect this in reading materials, music, language and food to name but a few. We promote healthy eating and have a qualified Housekeeper who prepares freshly made meals every day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all provided each day.

Overview of the Year In March 2006 we extended our operating hours to open full time so that we could meet the needs of the community. The morning and afternoon sessions were extended and the crèche opened on a Friday afternoon. In order to do this we had to employ full and part time staff.

Statistics – number of children availing of childcare in 2006 The makeup of parents whose children accessed our service included parents from the CTC, Adult Education Programme, local colleges, CE participants, lone parents and those living in the local area.

No of children

Boys

Girls

Age

57

27

30

1–5 years

To facilitate developing the team we carried out a staff development day that aimed to build relationships among the team. Training was also an important factor this year with staff receiving training in Manual Handling, First Aid and Personal Development. Two staff also did a Peer Mentoring module which gave them the confidence and skills to act as mentors.

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Peer mentoring focuses on empowering people by facilitating them to become solution focused and use their own skills. Our Crèche Supervisor commenced training in the Childcare Supervisory FETAC Level 6 course which focus’s on supervising the day to day running of a crèche service. This course will be completed by mid 2008. We remained actively involved in the Young People at Risk (YPAR) 0 – 5 year Working Group and facilitated a survey on parents needs in the area. Similarly, we also researched Early Learning Initiatives that focus on dramatically improving services to children / their families and reviewing the way agencies work. Crèche staff in partnership with Hill St. and Casper organised the Childcare workshop at the ICON conference in 2006 where Barnardos, Pavee Point and Pobal where all in attendance. In June 2006 the Childcare Manager in partnership with local Childcare providers from the inner city, presented at the Diversity and Equality Forum that was held in Pavee Point. There were also other international speakers present from Germany, Holland and Australia. Resulting from the event has been the establishment of a National Forum on Equality and Diversity for the early years sector, which LYCS is actively involved in.

At the end of the year we carried out a strategic plan for the crèche with one objective focusing on sustaining the service. In 2006 we sought additional funding from Pobal for staff and also applied to the Dublin City Childcare Committee for a capital grant. We have found it increasingly challenging to meet the costs of running a community crèche. We know that the Pre-School Regulations will come into being in September 2007 and have been restructuring our service to meet these changes while maintaining Full and Sessional day care for children.

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Special Events During the summer we delivered a centre based summer project which was an action packed two weeks. We also held a farewell party to all the children who were leaving us to go on to primary school and invited parents to attend. At Christmas a party was held where Santa was invited in to the crèche along with the parents for mince pies! Maintenance and repairs to the service were also carried out and the hall was painted at the end of 2006. We wanted to create an indoor play area that would give the children a sense of being outside. In consultation with Aoife Robinson (Decorative Artist), a mural was created depicting a forest scene with wildlife. So now we have created a garden in our urban crèche! The LYCS website was created this year with the Childcare Manager being trained in updating the website. This means that we can edit the website on a daily basis when necessary. To have a look at our website see www.lycs.ie and click on Childcare.

Parental Involvement As we continue to facilitate parents to become more involved in our service they took part in a parent evaluation through YPAR where they reviewed Childcare Services in the area, facilitated by an external facilitator in different projects around the inner city. Parents were invited to take part in the summer project, to attend the fare well and Christmas parties.

Staff training & development In order to develop staff and keep apace with training in the Childcare sector training is essential for the Childcare team. Below is a list of the training courses that staff from the Childcare Programme attended: 

Masters in Equality Studies



Childcare Supervisor – FETAC Level 6



First Aid



Peer Mentoring Module



Childcare Training – FETAC Level 5



Personal development training



Management Training



Manual Handling training



LYCS inter-programme training



IT Training

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Achievements during the year Summer project: This year over 40 children took part in our summer project which involved a diverse range of activities. Funding from DCC was obtained and so we are most grateful to everyone for their support. Funding from School Meals Programme: Continuation funding was obtained from the Department of Family & Social Affairs towards meal costs. Farewell party for the Children: We held a farewell party for the children in the crèche who were going on to primary school and invited their parents. An event was held for each room which worked well. Staff completing training: staff this year took part in a range of training with many achieving certification so congratulations to everyone for all their hard work.

A view from parents: ‘The crèche to me has made a big difference for my life as I can go out and work. ‘She is starting to sing Old MacDonald and we do Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, she actually has me ma and all singing twinkle twinkle little star, but she calls it “pinkle”, not twinkle’. ‘I do find her very outgoing because of the songs and I do think it is very educational in here (crèche)’. ‘Last year when you did the Christmas show here, my mother thought it was hilarious that kids that age would put on a show’.

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Youth Programme Funders: 

City of Dublin Youth Service Board



CDVEC



Dublin City Council



Irish Youth Foundation

Staff: 

Jackie Maguire Manager



Thomas Dunne Youth Worker



Trish Martin Youth Worker



We also have some active volunteers and 10 Junior Leader volunteers who support the club activities.

Programme Aims The Youth Programme is committed to providing a quality service for young people from the local community that is directed by the young people themselves and as such responds to their real needs.

The Youth programme aims to:  Prevent young people from getting involved in anti-social behaviour and drug use through diverse programmes that meet their needs.  To develop programmes in direct consultation with young people.  To offer a range of challenging opportunities to young people and to broaden their horizons through the outward bound programme and trips away.  To reward young people who demonstrate real potential as leaders through formal training opportunities, such as Junior Leadership training, CYC Adventure programme and other exciting opportunities.  To promote integration and share good practice through partnership projects with other youth groups in the Dublin area.

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Overview of the Year The number of young people the Youth Programme worked with in 2006

Male

Female

Total

57

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84

A range of projects were delivered during the year that responded to the needs of the young people from the inner city, as well as providing them with new skills and opportunities. Some of the highlights included the Junior Leadership Project and the ICON Arts Festival to name but a few.

Junior Leadership Programme The Junior Leadership Project started in September 2005 and funding has been secured for 2007/2008 through Dublin City Council’s Community Gain to sustain this project. Through the Junior Leadership project young people were given the necessary skills to be able to act as volunteer Junior Leaders in LYCS’s Youth Programme through the provision of theoretical skills e.g. Youth Work Theory, Anti-Bias training, First Aid, Childcare Protection Training, Personal Development training, Team building residential weekends etc and practical skills including; water safety, canoeing, Graffiti art, healthy eating, pottery, crafts, outward bound residential week etc. This programme included compulsory and optional modules which were designed to give young people theoretical and practical skills so that they would understand the theory around Youth Work and gain practical skills that they could use in sessions with young people. By January 2007 the group had taken part in 1268 hours of training combined and volunteered for a total number of 844 hours. During the first quarter of 2006 the young people began to volunteer on the Youth programme and assisted us on weekly clubs, residential weekends and the summer project. Likewise, their voluntary commitment continued for the year and they are all active volunteers now in 2007. The difference the Junior Leadership programme has made to these young people and their community includes the following;

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Young People are becoming Leaders and Role Models in their community – represented on the NEIC Youth Forum which received an award from the President for their work in 2006.



Active citizens & giving something back.



Increased confidence – facilitation skills, knowledge around Youth Work, first aid, water safety, canoeing, child protection, face to face Youth Work; have all enhanced their confidence.



One young person who went on to study Social Studies in Coláiste Dhulaigh as a result of the Youth Work Theory course and another Junior Leader is interested in doing Youth Work in college next year.

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Interagency Work Consultation with Young People 

Youth Forum (Young People at Risk Initiative) LYCS has been an active member of the YPAR process over the past two years. As part of this a new group of teenagers has been established with an aim of creating a voice for young people in the north east inner city. ‘We need a voice in how things are done and this is how’ (Youth Forum member) A residential weekend occurred in May ’05. Four Junior Leaders from LYCS participated and have been actively involved in moving things forward. The consultation weekend resulted in a Youth Forum being established which has since been extremely active. As a result, these young people have become more politicised and have been addressing some of the issues relevant to their age group. One of LYCS’s Youth Workers has been responsible for chairing the Youth Forum and the forum attended the recent ICON conference in 2006. Over the past year the young people from the forum have been involved in numerous events and conferences.



Youth Forum members received the President’s award for being active citizens.



Four members attended an intercultural exchange to Turin to present/discuss their experience of setting up a youth forum.



The forum is continuing to work on it’s charter and in the coming months will set in place formal structures for the youth forum committee.



LYCS is committed to the YPAR process and will continue to support it.

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Other Projects 

Residential Weekends Young people often learn to take responsibility for themselves while away from home, they also have the opportunity to move outside the city and see country life. They learn the importance of working as part of a team through planning every aspect of the weekend including; menu, ground rules, cleaning rota, etc as a team. All the young people have a real voice in planning and have to take responsibilities. Independence and life skills are fostered during these weekends as well as friendships established. Mutual respect is established between the young people, youth team and volunteers. This year the youth programme delivered an outward bound camping programme in Achill and 4 residentials in the Wexford Centre. A sleep over fundraiser night was held in LYCS for the Junior Leader’s Achill Trip.



Date

Nights

Group

Number

2nd – 5th March 2007

3 nights

junior leader group

9 participants

11th – 13th May 2007

2 nights

intermediate group

9 participants 2 junior leaders

15th – 18th June 2007

3 nights

senior group

13 participants

7th – 9th July 2007

2 nights

boys group

11 participants 3 junior leaders

11th – 13th July 2007

2 nights

Mixed group

10 participants 4 junior leaders

20th – 22nd July

2 nights

adventure club adventure marathon camping trip

6 participants

Summer Project: This year’s summer programme was lengthened to 3 months (Jun–Aug). The programme was action packed and provided a real variety of activities. The good weather allowed for more day trips and activities away from the centre. For June and July we concentrated on young people in their own groups, while during August all the groups mixed together with the support of the Junior Leaders. This also facilitated smooth progression into new groups for September. At the end of the Summer Programme this year participants chose to clean up the school yard with cleaning materials given to us by Dublin City Council.

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Larkin Project A 9-week programme involving LYCS, SWAN and Ballybough Youth services was delivered in the Larkin Community College. The programme was delivered in 2006 and included a diverse range of activities including football, indoor climbing and disco dancing. The project had approx 24 young people attending each week from LYCS. Skilled facilitators provided quality training, which made it accessible to everyone and allowed young people from the different projects to mix. Resulting from this project the football group were invited to play a match in Donaghmede and the youth programme team are keen to develop this further linking the girls and boys football teams with other clubs in Dublin. Similarly, the skills that the young people acquired through indoor rock climbing were put to good use during a residential week in Achill in June 2006.

Certification 

Canoeing Level 1: 9 young people took part in 2 sessions and all received certificates.



Canoeing Level 2: 5 young people participated in 3 intensive sessions and all received certificates.



Water Safety Course: 9 young people received certificates in Water Safety levels 1–2. This programme was delivered over 10 weeks.



Pottery Course: a 6 week pottery programme was delivered to 6 young people who all received FETAC certificates for their work.



First Aid Training: 9 young people participated in a one day First Aid course in LYCS.



Child Protection Training: 8 young people participated in a session on Child protection

List of courses, programmes and events 

12 week Youth Work Theory & Personal Development / Anti Bias programme



Outward Bound week in Achill in June 2006 – activities included caving, abseiling, camping & cooking, mountain walking and snorkelling.



5 young people took part in a Creative Arts – Graffiti project and have their final piece exhibited outside LYCS.



Summer project



Junior Leadership Volunteer Programme



Weekly clubs



Larkin College mixed programme

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Events 

Icon Arts Festival



3 month Summer Project



ICON conference

Achievements in the year 

ICON Arts Festival The second ICON arts festival was delivered this year and was extended to three months, whereas last year it was delivered over one month. This year international artists were employed to work with the young people and the festival engaged over 70 young people from the inner city of Dublin. The official launch was held on the 17th June and over 200 people attended the showcase. Twelve young people from LYCS took part in the graffiti project, hip hop and DJ workshops and all presented their work at the launch. The launch received national coverage and featured on RTE and in the national and local media.



Fishing Project Fishing taster sessions were delivered in the second quarter of 2006 to divert young people away from the drug culture in the inner city. The North East Inner City Development has funded a grant to develop a fishing club that would incorporate drug awareness training and get young people out of the city which will run into 2007.

Junior Leadership Quotes: “I’m really glad I got the chance to be a Junior Leader because it’s given me the confidence to apply for this course” – Social Studies in Coláiste Dhulaigh – Junior Leader quote. “She would never have considered social studies as a career until she started the youth work theory course” – Junior Leader’s mother. “For the first time in years we now have in the youth programme young people aged 16 and 17 years who are ready to act as Junior Leaders and volunteer” Trish Martin, LYCS Youth Worker. LYCS’s Youth clubs helps to “keep you off the streets and that and gives you time to hang with your mates and have a laugh”. “When you’re doing all the courses and that it makes you look around and see what’s going on out there’ from Alan Mulcahy Junior Leader Volunteer”.

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Administration and Security Services Administration 

Staff: Tessie McMahon, Paul Bogle, Alison McCormack, Cathy Geoghegan & Frank Burke

Our office is a busy dynamic hive of activity, which provides administrative support to all LYCS programmes. It now has four members of staff who carry out a broad range of activities from ‘meeting and greeting’ to being the guardians of our finances. It is no easy task to provide information and advice to over 40 staff, 300 participants not to mention the huge numbers of phone calls and e-mails received on a daily basis. A sincere thanks to all.

Security 

Staff: Pat Collins, Nicky Houlihan, Glenn Byrne

Several years ago LYCS took over the responsibility for the security team which previously had been managed in partnership with our neighbours NYP and ASP. The security team provides all night and weekend cover for the School-on-Stilts with much success. Our thanks to them all.

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Management Structure The project is managed by a locally based voluntary Board of Management which has over the past 20 years shown huge commitment to the development of the organisation. The board meets once a month. LYCS employs a Director who is responsible to the Management Board for the work of the organisation. The Director manages the Managers of each Programme of work who are in turn responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation

LYCS Board of Management John Farrelly Chairperson Celsus Fennell Treasurer Joe Kelly Secretary Bernie Walsh Carol Smith Dave Little Philip Boyd Denise Foley Dublin City Council Maureen Downey Staff member Margaret Hayes CDYSB, ex-officio Sarah Kelleher LYCS Director

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What is Lourdes Youth & Community Services Ltd Lourdes Youth & Community Services (LYCS) was established in 1984, as part of a broad based community development movement, which emerged in Dublin’s north inner city in the late 70’s and 80’s. This community mobilisation was an attempt to combat the relentless economic and social decline being experienced in inner city Dublin. Families living in the area experience severe levels of economic and social disadvantage. Unemployment levels are high and the mis-use of drugs is widespread. LYCS is an integrated community based education, training, recreation and development project which is concerned with giving participants the opportunity to become involved in their own development and the development of their community. The organisation is locally based and participatory. Personal development is seen as inextricably linked to the development of local community resources. To address the diverse needs of the local community LYCS operates four programmes:

 Community Training Centre (CTC) Forty Early School Leavers have the opportunity to gain certified training in FETAC Foundation & Levels 3, 4 and 5 and undertake the Junior Cert in a range of modules.

 Adult Education Programme Provides informal training and education for over 100 women and men each week, all of whom have little or no history of formal education.

Lourdes Youth & Community Services Ltd Lr. Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1 Telephone:

01 836 3416 and 836 5984 Fax:

01 855 6445  Crèche E-mail: Full-time crèche provides 28 places for children from 1-5 years each day. Many of the parents of the children who use the crèche are drawn from all four programmes within LYCS and live locally. 

[email protected] Website:

www.lycs.ie

Youth Programme The youth programme offers afternoon, evenings and weekend programmes for young people aged 10-21 plus regular trips outside of Dublin.

The 2006 census figures for population changes in the NEIC are not currently available.