County Longford Youth Service (CLYS) was established in 1997 with support from Longford Community Resources Limited (LCRL). In 2005 funding was secured by LCRL and professional youth workers were hired, which permitted the expansion of the services being offered to young people of County Longford. The Youth Service currently offers valuable services to the Young People living in County Longford and has a specific focus on disadvantaged and marginalised youth and works to integrate Young People from different backgrounds and ethnic origin into local activity.

The main objective of the Youth Service is to promote and support the physical, social, educational and personal development of Young People in County Longford, which is to be achieved through the following:

• To promote and support the development of services and supports for young people by working in partnership with other bodies who share these objectives;
• To recruit and support volunteers to work in clubs and groups with young people in the county;
• To carry out research as to the needs of young people;
• To promote and raise awareness locally of the issues affecting young people;
• To engage with and respond to national policy initiatives;
• To support young people to respond to policy and other issues which affect their lives;
• To promote and support the development of special services for young people;
• To procure resources to sustain and further develop the Youth Service in County Longford.

• One to One Mentoring of Young People – a confidential service for young people requiring it.
• Advice and Information – e.g. organising youth activities, legal, health and safety regulations, insurance, presentations to community groups, etc.
• Programme Development – examples of programmes devised and provided are: Arts, Crafts, Drama, Personal Development, Djing Workshops, Sport for Health, Sexual Health, Copping on Programme and IT Workshops.
• Referrals – work with young people referred from other state agencies (Garda, HSE, Probation & Social Welfare Services).
• Direct Work with Youth Groups – CLYS continues to run youth groups throughout the County on a weekly basis and also supports other groups e.g. Longford Traveller Movement and Homework Clubs.
• Organisation of Youth Summer Camps – affordable Summer Camps that are run throughout the county during the summer months for young people for example: camps run in: Dance & Hip Hop, Djing and CD Production, Soccer, Drumming, Drama, Mural Painting, Arts & Crafts and Self-defence; also trips away to Adventure Centres, Mining Caves, Folk Parks and Bowling Alleys.
• Direct work with schools – running programmes and giving presentations in schools, e.g. Mentoring Program, Halloween Safety Talks, Bullying Program, etc.

“Volume” is the name for the County Longford Youth Service Youth Forum. The Forum provides a facility for young people to liaise with the Youth Service staff and express their views on matters that affect young people in the county. There are currently 6 members on the Youth Forum. 

The aims and objectives of “VOLUME" are:

What has “VOLUME” been up to?

In December 2007, VOLUME, with the aid of County Longford Youth Service, prepared over 20 Christmas hampers which they then presented to local organizations including St. Vincent de Paul, Betheney House, Community Mothers, etc. This action was received very positively by all groups that received the hampers and it boosted the group’s enthusiasm to start a more challenging project.

What has “VOLUME” been planning recently?

In order to help tackle anti-social behaviour and underage drinking in the County, the group identified lack of facilities as a major factor effecting young people. To raise awareness of activities and facilaties, we have undertaken to publish a pamphlet containing the contact details and names of the facilities in County Longford which can be used by young people. This will include Youth Clubs, Equestrian Centres, Sports Clubs, Leisure Facilities, etc. We hope that by creating awareness of these facilities it will encourage more young people to lead a more active lifestyle and to become more involved in recreational activities.

Any organisation, club or business that would like to be included in the pamphlet should contact CLYS on 043-3340907.

The Youth Forum is now well established and is in the position to recruit new members. So if you would like to get involved in this exciting project contact CLYS on 043-3340907.

Members of VOLUME away on a teambuilding weekend.

Projects will be run both short-term and long-term and will encourage young people to participate in a range of educational, social and recreational activities. They will provide outreach supports to community and youth groups in rural areas. It will help the groups to develop, design and deliver structured training programmes, train voluntary leaders and recruit volunteers to support the establishment of youth services in their areas. Each project will be aimed at providing support and encouragement to young people, i.e. encouraging education, raising self-esteem and confidence building, and ultimately to develop the whole person. It is hoped the young people will witness the benefit of team work through self and community development.

Ballinamuck Summercamp 2009

Granard Summercamp 2009

Drumlish Summercamp 2009

www.teenspace.ie - Teenspace provides information on events, activities and recreation services for young people from 10 to 18.

For more information please contact County Longford Youth Service at 043-3340907 and ask for the Youth Service Co-ordinator or email at longfordyouthservice@gmail.com. The service operates from 6 Earl Street, Longford.