Tipp young people in Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards
The Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards took place in Citywest Hotel & Conference Centre recently and over 2,300 young people from throughout Ireland showcased their work in the community.
204 groups took part in the awards with projects covering topics such as equality, homelessness, mental health, culture and much more.
Tipperary projects were submitted from Carrick-on-Suir and Nenagh.
One of the Nenagh projects from The Shamrockers, came about after discussion about the important issues which affect them day to day. They decided to raise awareness of Pieta House and Foróige.
In order to raise awareness and much needed funds, the group held a bake sale at the local St Patrick's Day parade as they felt this would enable them to reach a large group of people. Everyone got involved in the project between advertising, providing music and designing the stand and of course baking. Any remaining baked goods were donated to St Conlon's Nursing Home.
Nenagh Youth Project Girls Homework Club decided to take part in Foróige's Fab Feb by designing an anti-bullying campaign. The group created a list of helpful tips for young people in their school. They then created a display board to include the poster with tips on what to do if you are experiencing bullying. They sought permission from the school principal to display the poster in the school.
Sean Campbell, CEO of Foróige, said: “With the support of Aldi, the Youth Citizenship Programme has gone from strength to strength. This programme empowers young people to make positive change in the world through examining their local community, coming up with a way to make it a better place and then working hard to make it happen.
“We are so proud of everything these young people have achieved in their communities and it’s wonderful to see all the skills they’ve gathered in the process. From planting a flowerbed, to renovating a community kitchen, to building a recording studio and making a memorial from a WWII aeroplane; these young people have gained essential life skills whilst making the world a better place.'
Finbar McCarthy, Group Buying Director with Aldi Ireland, said: “Aldi is proud to support the Youth Citizenship Awards for the third year running. Through our links with Foróige we have seen first-hand the passion and dedication of the young people, clubs and adult volunteers involved in bringing active citizenship to the fore in local communities.
“We at Aldi are also passionate about championing and supporting local communities. In each of the communities served by our 129 stores we strive to be responsible and to go above and beyond in our relationships with local residents, suppliers, fellow businesses, as well as charity and not-for-profit organisations. Through our community support programme, we are proud to help a diverse range of national and local initiatives thrive, benefitting communities across all 26 counties in areas such as health and wellbeing, poverty, food waste and the environment, as well as youth citizenship. The Awards have attracted a record level of entries and every project entered serves as an important reminder that we all have the potential to be good citizens, and that means taking action to bring about change for the better.”
The event was opened by Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Helen McEntee TD. DJ Jenny Greene MC'd the awards ceremony and played DJ sets throughout the day and music was provided by bands Seo Linn and The Strypes.