Newport youth invited to have a say
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Mary Downes, Ailbe Coffey, Michael Boland, Aoife Boland, Cllr Fiona Bonfield, and Brenda O’Connell, members of the organising committee of the Fun Day at Newport.Image 2 of 4
A leap for joy by Donagh Horgan, the new All Ireland Boys Under 13 years Javelin Champion (see story below).Image 3 of 4
A proud mum, Aileen Horgan holds her son Donagh’s All Ireland Medal after he became the new Javelin Under 13 Years Boys Champion at the weekend.Image 4 of 4
Emily Lach with her award winning artwork and her encouraging art teacher, Mr Fleming at Newport College (see ‘Art Winner’ story in notes below).Scores of young people in the Newport area have responded positively to an invitation to become involved in a community initiative to generate an environment for their betterment for the future.
Newport Development Association, under chairperson, Donal Meaney, and its board have appointed a sub committee to consider the facilities and amenities for youth within the community.
The sub committee, Newport Community Engagement Hub, has resulted from a number of discussions locally around the needs of the youth of the Newport area going forward and how they could be improved.
The committee comprise of Cllr Fiona Bonfield, Brenda O'Connell, Caroline Meaney, Patrick Ryan, Michael Boland, Mary Downes, Ailbe Coffey and Aoife Boland.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Terms of Reference for the objectives of the committee are set out as: “Newport Community Engagement Hub seeks to meet the needs of all sectors of our community through securing resources needed to meet the needs. Our preliminary focus is on the youth needs.
“However combating social isolation, fostering community inter-generational engagement and developing the cultural and artistic deficit within the town are also part of our remit,” the terms outline.
The intention of the group is to have direct engagement from the youth in the formulation and implementation of any developments undertaken.
As an initial point to engagement with the young people of the Newport area, the committee in association with North Tipperary Development Company, organised a very successful Fun Day at the Community Centre, Newport.
Promoted as a family fun day, with the emphasis on youth, the promotion material message was: “We need you have your say”. The event included a number of stands by local recreation and sport groups, including GAA, athletics, soccer, Newport Fitness Centre and Tipperary Education and Training Board. Information on the activities of the various organisations and groups was available with encouragement to young people to become engaged.
ENTERTAINMENT
There was entertainment with live music, recreational activities, with light refreshments being served.
The organisers reported a very positive response with scores of the young people in attendance confirming their interest in engaging with the committee on their mission to make a better future for the youth of the area.
A spokesperson for the committee said: “Although the group is in its infancy the commitment and drive to meet these needs is very focused. All work undertaken to date has been and will continue to be evidence based, involving all members of the community.
“We hope to complete a strategic plan in the coming months and are at the commencement of developing our youth participation model, which began with the Youth Day in the town,” they added.
Following the Fun Day it has been confirmed that a significant number of the youth of the area have offered their support for the setting up of a youth forum to look at activities and supports for teenagers and younger adults.