Youth Vocation

Highlights from Oct 2020 - Oct 2021

The young people adapted quickly to remote working and blended learning approaches due to ever changing restrictions.
Good retention of students and good participation overall.
High grades awarded due to the dedication and commitment from the young people and the tutors.
End of year activities with the lifting of restrictions injecting more freedom, fresh air and fun.
More outdoor interventions and projects introduced into the program. Creative workshops and more community involvement.
Covid has allowed for increased flexibility in some areas for both the student and the staff. Good adherence to the Covid protocols resulting in no outbreaks.
Outreach and aftercare introduced as an extra support.
Excellent EA report in relation to quality delivered
Improved links made with CETB and extra support and resources made available.
More effective collaboration within internal YMCA projects
Young people commented positively on the support received by them in their evaluation reports
Court award for funding to the value of €5,315 from the work with probation Services.
An end of year graduation was held in Cork City STEP and it highlighted the progression made by those participating in STEP and provided them with an opportunity to voice their positive experiences.

Challenges from Oct 2020 - Oct 2021

The main challenge was the impact and direct consequences of Covid on the young people and on the staff. However there were other challenges this year.
Change in Management structure and Quality Assurance measures implemented in January 2021 forcing change.
Appropriate equipment for staff to facilitate remote working was insufficient.
Some shortages in digital technologies for the enhancement of student learning.
Many young people felt isolated in difficult home situations and with the lack of in person support from the YMCA. During the Level 5 restrictions in-crisis emergency support was provided by the coordinators.
Impact of increased drug and alcohol use on our young people during the pandemic led to reports of higher anxiety and negative effects on mental health including self harm and suicidal thoughts. Workshops were introduced to create awareness.
Difficult for staff to connect in person as a cohesive team, impacting communication and training. Much of the interaction was held online.
Delayed start of 4 weeks to the academic year with tight deadlines
Changing restrictions made it very difficult to plan and be organised, the young people require organisation, structure and routine.
Difficulties accessing relevant services with regards to recovery and mental health

New Horizons 2022

The focus for 2022 is to promote Youth and Vocation more effectively within the Cork City and Cobh communities. Social media tools are to be used more frequently to promote the work of each project by each coordinator. A need for increased internal and external networking has been highlighted and the co-ordinators will work toward this. Community participation has been introduced with “community day” and project workshops for the academic year 2021-2022.

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

STEP
Total Number of Students 22: 8 females 14 males. Age Range 18-23

ELEVATE
Total Number of Students 14: 2 females and 12 males. Age Range 19-24

QQI Awards
165 Level 4 awards achieved:
16 Students achieved a Major QQI Level 4 Award in General Learning
13 Students achieved a number of QQI Level 4 modules toward a major award

QQI is an essential element in both programmes as it allows young people to move toward further education/ employment. STEP offers a full level 4 Major award but it is now project based with a specific focus on personal development. ELEVATE is delivered in response to the individual needs of a young person and also offers QQI level 4 modules and internal and external training opportunities. Other Courses/ Activities which were offered to students included:

Leadership in Training Program
Driver theory training
Manual Handling
Safepass
Year long integrated gardening project
Work experience
ICDL - International Computer Driving Licence
PHECC First Aid - Industry Standard Course
Sound workshop through Cobh Sirius Arts Centre
Online Creative Identity Art Classes
Drug and Alcohol Awareness Workshops
Digital Media Workshop
Forklift

STEP/ ELEVATE integrates projects and workshops as much as possible into the QQI modules for a more practical approach to learning for the student. The project based learning was hugely beneficial to the student and their integration into the local community. The community based projects had a positive impact, creating more of a local awareness and better involvement with other community members. The young people have enhanced their reputation and have proven themselves to be valuable contributors in their own community through hard work and dedication.

Attendance Rates

While the attendance rate was good overall, there were a wide variety of issues that affected attendance and individual support was provided to every young person depending on their need. The main reasons and difficulties that affected the young person's attendance included:

Lack of confidence, apathy
Anxiety/Social Anxiety/ Social difficulty
Severe Mental Health/ Poor Mental Health /Depression
Concentration Issues
Pregnancy
Traveller Background
ASD Diagnosis
Serious Criminal Offences, court related issues, prison
Homelesness and unstable lifestyle
Substance Misuse
Bereavement and associated grief
Lack of confidence in an online forum
Covid-19 restrictions

Housing

STEP students
86.4% of students living at home
9.1% of students were homeless
4.5% students were in the care system

ELEVATE students
79% of students living at home
14% of students living independently
7% of students in unstable accommodation

Geographical locations of Students attending programmes

Ballinhassig
Ballincollig
Cobh
Cork City Centre
Cork City North
Cobh
Carrigtwohill
Glanmire
Grange
Mahon
Mayfield
Midleton
Passage West
Togher

Agencies involved with the STEP young people throughout the year
Probation Services,Gardai, Court Services,Counselling Services, ASD Unit Midleton, TUSLA Aftercare, Arbour House, Midleton Psychiatric Services,
Educational Psychology, Employability, Edel House Aftercare, Community Drugs Programmes, INTREO.

Agencies involved with the ELEVATE young people throughout the year
Drugs Task Force, Arbour House, Matt Talbot Services, HSE (Case Mgt Team), Probation Services, Foroige, Vincent De Paul, Focus Ireland, South Lee Mental Health Team, CoisCeim, Department of Social Welfare, Mayfield Youth Project, Abbeycourt House, Coolmine.

Measure of the Need and impact

On entering STEP/ELEVATE many of the young people reported reduced self confidence, lack of self belief, no vision for the future, increased anxiety and anxiety in social situations. Anxiety and poor mental health are the most reported issues facing the young people of this academic year. All young people that completed the programme reported that they grew in confidence both with regards to social skills but also with regards to career development and dealing in general with life. They also reported a reduction in anxiety through the consistent support from the whole youth and vocation team and the YMCA community. 71% of the ELEVATE participants reported an increase in mental health problems due to isolation, fear, boredom, the inability to access services and the difficulties their living situations posed during lockdown, with 42% reporting an escalation in drug and alcohol use (21% reporting heavy usage). Youth Vocation training programmes have given the young people the needed space to re-evaluate their future path in life.

User Perspective

Quotes based on end of year evaluation
The programme has given me a qualification and confidence, I made new friends and the staff were very helpful.
The programme has taught me life skills and I have made friends.
It gave me structure to my day and had me interacting with people my own age. I got a full award and an opportunity to go to college as well as life skills.
I have gotten more education and can move on with my life.
The programme gave me a sense of purpose, something positive to do, allowed me to interact and gain qualifications.
I love how the programme helps, I would rate this course high and I got more confidence.
The staff members were very motivating and helpful. If you needed help with anything they were glad to help. The programme gave me the motivation I needed to do better. I rate this course high as I am happy with my results and I enjoyed my time on the programme and the year I have had.

Underlying Value Statement or Philosophy

Young people are encouraged to implement positive changes in their lives through support, advocacy, training and collaboration. The delivery style of training and Vocation compliments the young person as it is based on their pace, level of need and ability. There is a break away from traditional learning styles with more accountability and responsibility giving learners control over their own outcomes.