Press Release

Date: Friday 2 July 2021

YMCA Ireland engages with children and young people of all ages

There are 17 local YMCAs throughout and Ireland. Nine of these local associations, and one YWCA, have been involved in delivering the m-power project since 2017. These areas include Belfast, Lisburn, Monaghan, Newcastle, Derry- Londonderry, Carrick,Larne, North Down, Portadown and Lurgan. m-power is a project supported by the European Union's PEACE IV programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Match funding for the project was provided by the Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Ireland. Funding from The Executive Office has helped support delivery of the programme.

Minister for the Department for the Economy NI, Paul Frew MLA, said: “The m-power project has had a positive impact on the young people who have participated in the programme. The new skills they have developed will enhance their career prospects and enable them to realise their potential. As we emerge from the lockdown restrictions, it is essential that we support our young people, and through the MPower project, YMCA have shown great commitment in doing so.”

Minister Roderic O’Gorman, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Ireland: “Over the past number of years, the m-power project has made a huge difference in the lives of young people from both sides of the border and from all communities. Those involved in the programme have broadened their horizons and strengthened their connections with their communities and beyond. I would like to pay tribute to all concerned, including the youth workers, for their dedication and commitment.”

The First Minister of Northern Ireland, said: “The m-power project has had a hugely positive impact on the lives of hundreds of young people. The new

experiences, skills and qualifications they have gained through this project will stand them in good stead as they set off on the next exciting stage of their life journey. “Whether going on to study, training, voluntary and community work or paid employment, the positive choices made by these young people will not only give them a better future but also help shape the communities they live in for the better.

“I would like to congratulate YMCA and their partners for the successful delivery of this project. The positive outcomes it has achieved will make a lasting contribution towards the creation of the shared, inclusive and prosperous community we all want.”

The deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill said: “The m-power project has provided our young people with fantastic opportunities to grow their confidence, develop valuable skills and gain qualifications that will help them achieve their full potential.

“The programme’s focus on bringing people from different backgrounds together, promoting good relations and active citizenship will play a key role in uniting communities and creating a diverse, vibrant society where everyone is treated equally and with respect.

“I would like to congratulate YMCA Ireland and everyone involved in delivering this transformative project, and especially all those who took part. I wish all the young people who participated in the project every success in their future endeavours.”

Commenting on the importance of the project Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of the SEUPB said: “As a result of our shared past many young people are still being brought up in segregated communities and do not feel safe to mix with someone from a different background, or indeed have the opportunity to do so. This only serves to further deepen division, encourage mistrust and increase tensions. The EU PEACE IV funded m-power project was designed to help combat this by bringing young people together from both sides of the community and both sides of the border.

“Together they have learnt new skills, developed new found confidence and gained an insight into other cultures and traditions. The project has also helped to support young people through the pandemic, keeping them connected and engaged. I would

like to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to everyone involved for their dedication and commitment,” she continued.

The YMCA/YWCA m-power youth project is a relational, youth focused programme, which is achieving positive results and creating real change for young people who face challenges and struggles.

The project’s main objective is to ensure that these young people form positive and effective relationships with others and make a positive contribution within their families and communities.

It’s been working with a range of young people from many backgrounds across a wide spread geographical area. The young people have been presented with opportunity, challenge and hope. Some have had deep social and emotional needs, at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour, violence or dissident activity, and some are struggling within education, training or employment. It’s also been working with young people with poor mental ill health and young people with physical disabilities and those with autism and high functioning autism.

As a result of the m-power project, young people are developing their capabilities across a range of life skills. The programme is addressing attitudes and behaviours toward diversity, increasing knowledge of culture and identity (own and others) and is supporting young people to engage with those of a different culture in a meaningful and long-term way, building new and genuine friendships.

During the project life, m-power programmes have included:

 Accredited training in areas such as Personal Success and Well-Being; Vocational Skills training in areas such as Diversity, Rights and Responsibilities; Outdoor Education and First Aid; Young people and Politics; Transforming hate and Reconciliation and Peace Peer accredited Programme.

 Outdoor education - residential experiences challenging young people in areas such as canoeing, mountain climbing, bouldering, archery, mountain biking, orienteering - empowering young people to face their fears.

 John Muir Award - is a national environmental award scheme. It encourages young people to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places. m-power participants have explored their environment, found out about the habitat on their doorsteps and supported projects to maintain and care for these areas.

 Themed group work - all programme areas have been led by the needs of the young people and have included activities such as increasing health and well-being, managing conflict, building confidence and self-esteem, identity and culture, diversity and inclusion. The young people have been writing poetry, creating a photography blog, doing acts of kindness, raising funds for charities, going to the gym, and learning a range of life skills such as budgeting, cooking and baking and first aid.

 Most of all, young people have told us that they have built genuine relationships, have come out of their rooms/homes, have met people they would not normally meet or be friends with, have been challenged, have learned different skills and have had fun and time to be. They have told us of their anxiety and fears and their struggles with school, work, relationships.

Participant Statements “I had a difficult upbringing…. I learned about negotiating, facilitating, meeting new interesting people, politics and citizenship. I knew I wanted to make something of myself.”

“When I first came to m-power I was physically and emotionally ruined...with m-power I felt strong and I could be a voice. Everything in my life was changing, my mental stability was getting stronger and I could stand on my own 2 feet and to be honest I couldn’t believe the person I was turning into.”

“m-power is amazing, it brought me out of a dark spot in my life.”

Project Staff Statements “m-power has meant everything to me both personally and professionally. So many great memories of so many great young people and adventures, it's been an epic journey that I will never forget.”

“Meeting a past participant on the street and seeing how much they have grown since we first met is one of the best things anyone could experience. The effort and support all the young people put into each group was incredible and this was even more so during lockdown and during the darkest times. I have no doubt that this project has changed lives and made lifelong friendships.”

For more information on the EU PEACE IV Programme, please contact John McCandless, Communications Manager with the SEUPB via mob. 07841 367052 or email: [email protected]

For information on the m-power project please contact [email protected] or call 07742842423.

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Notes to editors:

 The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Ireland.

 It is responsible for managing two EU Structural Funds Programmes, PEACE IV and INTERREG VA which are designed to enhance cross-border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society.

 The Programmes operate within a clearly defined area including Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and in the case of INTERREG VA, Western Scotland.

 The PEACE IV Programme has a value of €270 million and aims to promote peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland.

 For more information on the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.eu