Youth Advocacy

Highlights from Oct 2019 - Oct 2020

New YIChat service launched on 15 April. National Youth Information Online Chat, serviced together with other YI network providers in collaboration with SpunOut.ie, operates live each weekday 16:00-20:00 with ticketing system at all other times

Uninterrupted service during pandemic including 12 March 12 June lockdown including helpline, outreach, regular online group meetings, and one-to-one information consultations

Cork City-based one-on-one service continues to develop with more queries processed in 2020 and includes referrals to a variety of external agencies and services (statutory and non-statutory).

Innovative approaches introduced since pandemic hit include ‘The Happiness Jar’ podcast series. Highlighted as best practice example in NYCI review of youth work sector response to the pandemic

Young advocates participate in NYCI commissioned independent review of the youth work sector response to the COVID-19 pandemic

6 young advocates begin 'Future Generations' climate justice weekly workshops as part of a Climate Justice Fund project consortia led by NYCI

Dáil na nÓg take place in Houses of the Oireachtas, Leinster House with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on 23 November 2019

Challenges from Oct 2019 - Oct 2020

Young people without adequate digital access during pandemic

Difficulty engaging with young people at risk or marginalised during 12 March 12 June lockdown

Limited hardware availability to support new digital creativity needs during pandemic

New Horizons 2021

Live chat support service in collaboration with Youth Information network and SpunOut.ie, launched in April, is a national online chat service to young people aged 16-25 The chat service provides guiding support to young people in accessing and taking steps to utilise quality information.

New features of the service include webinars and online workshops supported by new digital tools to enhance regular collaborative work e.g. Slack, Zoom webinar, Padlet, Mentimeter, Miro etc.

Concrete Measurements

Measure of the Outputs (participants, sessions, events and other outputs)

There were 2,400 contacts from all modes of service provision (i.e. outreach, online, and one-to-one information consultations) in the past 12 months.

Exploring Mental Health through Music. STREAM: 'Youth, Music & Mental Health 2019' album

Interview with climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe in March https://bit.ly/ProfKHayhoe

23% of regular service users engagement was retained during 12 March 12 June lockdown

1,900+ users of newly launched YIChat service since April 2020. YMCA staff assist in the provision of this service 25hrs per month

9 episodes of The Happiness Jar podcast during 12 March 12 June lockdown

'World Youth Skills Day' video project output (July)

'Creative Labs' digital creativity weekly workshops offered in August

'Challenging Discrimination' weekly meetings with output: 'Our Brave Space Togeether' 3hr live webinar in August. With input form Minister Roderic O’Gorman TD

New extended 12-page edition of ‘Options 2020’ information guide for Leaving Certs

200+ young people attend webinars on Racial Justice (August) and Mental Health (October)

400+ young people attend virtual Comhairle na nOg virtual AGM seminars in local authorities of Cork City and Cork County.

Measure of the Need

Information priorities identified: 1) Mental Health & Resilience 2) Global Citizenship/ Global Goals 3) Racial Justice

Measure of the Impact

23% of regular service users engagement was retained during 12 March 12 June lockdown

A non-formal educational process that enables young people make informed decisions so that they can be fully active as citizens

User Perspective

"Politics isn’t something that I was really involved in but this year I have learned so much about how the world works. This provides me with something I didn’t even know was missing.. It’s the space to talk freely about the things I care about. During lockdown we saw each other more than we saw our friends and these Zoom calls became the highlight of my week. "

"Something we have all brought up in our meetings is the power of feeling heard and being understood. The different insights and perspectives that I’ve gained from everyone is so eye opening and being able to talk about the things that we are passionate such as Mental Health or Global Justice without feeling judged and that realisation that so many of us feel the same way is so empowering. "

"I would never have thought that it would be possible to connect with someone over an online platform… i really don’t like facetime calls.. But I’ve shared more about my life with these group members than I have with some of my closest friends. I always go away feeling inspired and happy. "