Bundoran Community Centre is set to lead out on an innovative new ‘Youth Development Programme’ called the ‘W-A-Y Project’ following the awarding of €133,751 by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI).
The ‘W-A-Y’ project will support young people from communities from the Donegal Bay area, right along the Wild Atlantic Way, and in neighbouring communities of Sligo, Leitrim and Fermanagh along the border.
The award of funding follows significant planning and work by the staff and committee at Bundoran Community Centre who have been working to develop new supports and services for young people from the area for many years. The ‘W-A-Y Project’ has been in development for more than 18 months.
Speaking about the W-A-Y project, Michael Travers, the Chairperson of Bundoran Community Centre said ‘we have been working with young people, schools, other community groups and partners in South Donegal and the border area for a number of years to look at how our centre can provide a base for the much needed services that young people from our community need. This latest funding announcement is a great endorsement of that work by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) who share in and support our commitment to transforming the lives of young people from border communities.’
The W-A-Y project has been designed to support young people aged 16-25 years who are not currently in employment, education or training and will provide a dedicated range of one-to-one and group based supports for each young person taking part. These supports will help each young person to develop as a person, to gain new skills, to access work experience and employment in a field that interests them or to explore options and pathways in life that match their personal interests.
Speaking about the W-A-Y project, Danielle Carty, Manager at Bundoran Community Centre said that ‘the W-A-Y programme will adapt to the needs of each young person that takes part in the programme. We’ve designed the programme in the knowledge that sometimes the more traditional pathways to employment, education or training don’t suit every person, or their interests or their personal needs. The programme understands this, is non-judgemental and recognises that every young person deserves an equal opportunity and chance in life.’
The W-A-Y project will provide a dedicated support service that will work with each young person to access new personal opportunities. A Youth Development Worker, will provide dedicated advice, guidance and mentoring support throughout the programme. Speaking about this innovative approach, Danielle said, ‘We are currently recruiting for a new Youth Development Worker to join our team. By having a dedicated support worker in place at the Centre, the participants on the W-A-Y programme can be assured that their will be someone here to listen to their needs and interests, to support and mentor them until they feel ready to take the next steps that match their interests.’
Further information about the W-A-Y project, can be accessed by calling in to the centre on the main street in Bundoran or by phoning the Centre on 07198 29675. We are currently recruiting for the role and Job Description & Application forms are available by emailing bccjob23@gmail.com
