Young people living in direct provision centres across East Donegal have enjoyed summer and Halloween days out, funded by the Donegal CYPSC.
The target group of the IPAS Summer Programmes were young people living in direct provision aged 12-17.
Teenagers from Castlefinn, Ballybofey and two locations in Lifford took part in summer activities consisting of Summer Camp day in Planet Youth Ballybofey which entailed small and large group activities, team building games, kite building, arts and crafts, quizzes, music and dance and an opportunity to socialise with their peers in an environment which they have not previously done so. The feedback from the young people on this day was that they “had more fun than we imagined” and “I’ve loved it all”.
The young people engaged in a trip to Lifford Cinema to see The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The young people shared many laughs, and had good conversations following the trip on which Ninja they would have liked to be, and why. The consensus was that Michael Angelo was the best!
The young people also went to Rathmullan beach, a first for all. At the beach they had the opportunity to fly their kites which they had made during the summer camp day in Planet Youth. They played beach games, had a paddle in the water, walked along the sandy beach with their shoes off and enjoyed some seaside chips with their peers.
The remaining monies was used for the same young people to attend a Halloween trip. The young people from Castlefinn and Lifford IPAS accommodation enjoyed a trip to Lifford Old Courthouse for the Halloween special Escape room. Safe to say it was a teeth clenching experience with extra spook from “Mad Mary” whose ghost is still said to haunt the cells.
After their great escape they were upgraded to the Regal Room at Eclipse Cinema Lifford which was an unexpected treat for the group, so they watched The Haunted Mansion in style.
“Thanks to both venues for a great day out and to CYPSC Donegal for providing the funding!,” said a spokesperson for the Donegal Youth Service.
