infolink

Welcome to Infolink, Limerick Youth Service’s weekly newsletter/e-zine that promotes the positive contribution of young people to our communities and keeps you up to date with the latest news from Limerick Youth Service (LYS).

Inside this week’s action packed edition Infolink has details of youth clubs in Castletroy and Garryowen, a busy Pancake Tuesday, the return of a very popular play and more but we start with the launch of a suburb photo exhibition in Rathkeale. A photographic exhibition by a girls group at Limerick Youth Service’s Rathkeale Youth Space was launched by Dr. Sindy Joyce at the Rathkeale Arts Centre this past week.

Titled, A Day in the Life of Rathkeale, the photographs captured the sights and personalities of the West Limerick town as seen through the eyes of teenage girls on an Autumn Day in 2019.

The photographs show many facets of Rathkeale with shots as diverse as peering through the window of a barber shop, two elderly gentlemen sharing a yarn or two and young people enjoying themselves in the autumnal sun.

Welcoming visitors to a packed Arts Centre at Rathkeale Public Library, Monica Spencer, Limerick & Clare Education Training Board (LCETB) spoke about the extraordinary journey the girls have taken over a short space of time.
 
‘When I met you six months ago we spoke about a project that would interest you and taking photographs was your reply. Well, here we see the end results!’ said Monica as she motioned to the framed photos that proudly adorned the walls of the Arts Centre.

‘In a short space of time you have learned about the many facets to the art of photography and now have your very own exhibition that illustrates your pride in your hometown,’ said Monica.

The guest at the Arts Centre also heard from well-known academic, sociologist and human rights campaigners Dr. Sindy Joyce who is a member of indigenous Mincéir (Travelling) Community. 

‘The photos are fantastic!’ said Dr. Joyce as she congratulated the girls on their outstanding work on the project.

‘I am very proud to be home in my local area to open this exhibition and I must say the emotion in the photos really hit me,’ said Dr. Joyce, a native of the neighbouring town of Newcastlewest.

‘What the girls have done is really important as it shows what girls can achieve when supported and encouraged to,’ said Dr. Joyce adding that ‘I would like to see more projects like this that in the community.’ 
 
Lisa Quirke, LYS’ Rathkeale Youth Space further congratulated the young girls on their success while she also thanked the staff at Rathkeale Youth Space, Monica Spencer and the community for their ongoing support of young people and LYS.

There was a special mention for photographer Stephen Lappin who worked with the youth group and shared his expertise with them throughout the project.

‘I’ve been a photographer for twenty years and have never had my own exhibition!’ laughed Stephen as he thanked the girls for their dedication and commitment to the project.

To view photos from the launch please click HERE (Via Facebook) East week, ‘Meet LYS’ features different groups, projects, programmes and youth spaces that are part of Limerick Youth Service with the week’s edition featuring Rathkeale Youth Space.

Rathkeale Youth Space is state of the art youth hub located in the Abbey Court area of Rathkeale and is one of the most popular centres for young people in West Limerick.

The youth space was opened in 2013 and in the past seven years has grown in popularity with young people from across West Limerick and further afield spending time there!

Among the many opportunities available for young people are:

• RK Youth Café
• Junior & Senior Youth Groups
• Traveller Boys & Girls Clubs
• LCA programmes with Colaiste na Trocaire
• Youth work programmes including health & fitness,
• YouthBank
• Access counselling & information.

Members of local community groups and companies have also used the space for coffee mornings and training sessions (see photo below)
 
Rathkeale Youth Space also boasts an activity halls that is suitable for dancing, keep fit class and a variety of sports while there’s also a youth café with cooking facilities, meeting rooms, a chill out zone and more!

For more on Rathkeale Youth Space please click HERE 
  A basic first aid course for volunteers with Limerick Youth Service’s youth clubs will run take place at Rathkeale Youth Space on Saturday, March 14^th from 10am-2pm.

For more details please contact Eithne Stembridge at eithnes@limerickyouthservice.org or 087-9273926.
  It’s official! Tuesday night is ‘Girls Night’ in Garryowen with teenage girls enjoying ‘ceol, caint agus craic’ with Garryowen Youth Together Project. 

As members of the youth club the girls spend their time taking part in an array of activities including health & beauty, music, pool, keep fit classes and more.

The girls also take part in programmes that focus on mental wellbeing, body image, road safety, sexual health and personal development.
  ‘It’s going great!’ said Hazel Martin, Limerick Youth Service, as she took time out to speak with Infolink about the youth club.

‘From speaking with girls we found there was a need for a ‘girls only’ club where they can meet friends and share their experiences about issues that relate to them,’ said Hazel, youth worker LYS’ Garryowen Youth Together Project.

The youth club meet every Tuesday at Garryowen Community Development Project, 23 John St, Limerick from 6-7:30pm with new members welcome.  Please note it is for 15-18yrs only.

For more on Garryowen Youth Together Project please click HERE
  Friday nights are proving very popular in the Annacotty, Castletroy and Monaleen areas of Limerick thanks to the welcome return of Castletroy Youth Club.

The popular youth club can now be found at the home of Aisling Annacotty FCs, Woodstown, Annacotty and is the number one place to be on ‘Friday nights in the burbs!’

Supported by a top class team of youth leaders and volunteers, members of Castletroy Youth Club can take part in a variety of activities from dodgeball and indoor hockey to UFC (Ultimate Frisbee Championship!), jenga and more!

Castletroy Youth Club is open every Friday from 6:30-8pm with young people from across the local community welcome (Over 10yrs).

For more please contact Mary at mary.duhig@limerickyouthservice.org.
  Stand Up, a play that portrays the experiences of migrant young people in Ireland will return for ‘One Night Only’ at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick on Monday, March 30^th (8pm).

Written and performed members of Limerick Youth Service’s Diversity & Youth Group (D.A.Y), StandUp is a powerful, thought provoking and emotional performance that gives an insight into growing up in Ireland through the eyes of migrant young people. 

‘Stand Up will include short drama pieces, monologues and dance routines that show the experiences of teenagers from migrant communities,’ said Shay Moloney, LYS. 
 
‘It gives a moving, funny and often shocking accounts of the young people’s personal experiences touching on issues such as racism, living in the direct provision system and adapting to Irish culture,’ said youth worker Shay.

‘Although the content may shock people, the young people were keen to include it as it is their experiences of growing up in Limerick, their home,’ said Shay.

Stand Up wowed audiences at its first premiere at the Belltable Arts Centre in 2019 and an opportunity to see a rare showing of this play is not to be missed!
  Fifty years ago this week (March 2^nd-8^th) a volunteer in a room in Dublin answered the first call to the Samaritans.  Half a century the Samaritans continue to provide twenty-four hour emotional support for people who are feeling down, distressed or are thinking of taking their own life. 

Samaritans do not criticise, judge or advise.  They offer a safe space for a person to talk through whatever is bothering him/her-which could be anything from a family or work problem to bereavement or financial difficulties.

Samaritans also provide support to a person who is concerned for the wellbeing of a family member, colleague or friend.

Samaritans provide support via telephone, via email and in person at one of its centres.  You may also see the Samaritans Outreach Team at various cultural events such as the Fleadh Cheoil and Electric Picnic.

In Limerick the Samaritans are located at 20 Barrington St with the centre open from 9am-10pm daily.  Samaritans can be contacted at Freephone 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org.