Main pic: Charlene Logue and Jackie Ferry from Donegal Youth Service Group with Bridget Gallagher from Vhi and young people from Creeslough as they celebrated their grant award through the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund.
Two Donegal projects are among just 13 nationwide to be awarded grants through the €100,000 Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund.
Donegal Youth Service received money to support their STAR project – a programme focused on supporting young people impacted by the Creeslough tragedy.
The funding will enable a dedicated youth worker to create a programme of activities to engage and support these young people who were impacted by the tragic events of October 7 last year and are now presenting with high levels of anxiety and distress.
Charlene Logue and Jackie Ferry from Donegal Youth Service Group with Bridget Gallagher from Vhi and young people from Creeslough.
The second Donegal organisation to receive funding is Spraoi agus Spórt. It provides fun, affordable and inclusive activities, opportunities and experiences for children and young people in Inishowen. They plan to invest their funding into their ‘Hopeful Minds’ project: an early intervention mental health promotion programme that aims to build and strengthen resilience in young people and help them to recognise and manage anxiety.
Now in its third year, the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund, supports projects that aim to strengthen resilience in young people and help them manage anxiety. Non-profit organisations who work with young people in Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny and Limerick were invited to apply for a share of the €100,000 Fund.
In addition to the funding, Vhi introduced a new element this year through the creation and delivery of a bespoke Trauma Informed Care and Wellness programme. The programme was made available to all of the successful youth groups, with 28 youth leaders participating in the sessions.
The programme included a series of trauma-based training sessions for youth leaders led by Vhi Clinical Psychologists and Health Coaches. This training was designed to instill a trauma-informed care approach among youth workers dealing with children and young people who have undergone traumatic experiences and to empower youth workers with the necessary skills and mindset needed to support young people managing trauma.
For more information about the Vhi Health & Wellbeing Fund visit https://iyf.ie/grants/
