CLARE Youth Service is this week launching its 2022 Development Groupwork programme which will run in nine locations countywide over the coming months.

Originally developed by Clare and Limerick Youth Services in collaboration with the University of Swansea and first rolled out by Clare Youth Service in the 1970s, the hugely popular programme has since been delivered to over 10,000 young people in every corner of Clare, helping them in their personal journeys as well as producing community leaders across the county.

The programme is now being modernised, thanks to a three-year investment by the community support programme of EI Electronics, Shannon’s global leader in fire and CO detection products.
In this phase, it will include over 100 participants in Ennis, Shannon, Kilkee, Kilmihil, Kilrush and Killaloe-Ballina.

CEO of Clare Youth Service, Margaret Slattery says that the programme’s ongoing success is that it accepts every young person where they are at.

“This is a great opportunity for young people who are interested to build up skills such as teamwork, social skills and communication and a great way to meet new people.”

The programme is specifically designed to engage young people, aged 15 and over, on topics of relevance in their lives.

As Margaret outlines, “The programme has never been more necessary. We come to be who we are through conversation with others and it is clear that COVID has had a huge impact on the way in which we connect. We are out of practice and this programme builds the essential skills for effective communication and leadership.”