Scariff duo commended at Foróige national conference

A MOTHER and daughter volunteer duo from Scariff attended national Foróige’s 50th Volunteer Conference and were commended by the Minister for Children. 

Tracey and Jane Doyle are long-time volunteers with Scariff Foróige and, at the Tullamore Court Hotel in County Offaly, last weekend, they also met keynote speaker, David Coleman. The popular broadcaster and author is a leading clinical psychologist and spoke about communication strategies for reaching teenagers.

Tracey and Jane flew the Clare flag, alongside 120 delegates from 16 counties at the annual Foróige Volunteer Conference. 

“Foróige volunteers have helped create communities that are vital to our society. The value of the contributions that are made by these volunteers cannot be overstated,” said Minister Roderic O’Gorman.

“Not only does volunteerism positively impact our communities but it can provide people with a sense of purpose, improving their own wellbeing, enhancing their empathy and allowing them to connect with young people in their communities. Foróige has to be commended for the innovative approach in involving young people in the decisions that impact their lives.”

The conference also featured a wide variety of guest speakers, group discussions and events aimed at exchanging ideas to continue Foróige volunteers’ work throughout Ireland.

As an organisation, Foróige celebrated the 70th year anniversary of the first club meeting in Mooncoin on March 14, 1952. The following year a number of pilot clubs came together under the name Macra na Tuaithe, operating in rural communities, for the most part in local Vocational Schools.

Foróige now has over 5,500 volunteers working in its 550 clubs, 150 projects and programmes, including Leadership for Life; Be Healthy Be Happy, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), and Big Brother Big Sister.

Foróige volunteers are essential to the organisation’s engagement with over 50,000 young people year after year. Foróige, with the help of volunteers, encourages young people to take responsibility for themselves and to be part of shaping the world around them while developing their talents, skills and abilities.

“This year marks the 70th Anniversary of Foroige, and if we view the challenges ahead through the lens of history, we see that the organisation has continually evolved and changed through those seven decades, adapting to the needs of a given generation of young people, crossing each hurdle in its path and using obstacles as springboards to progress,” said Barbara Daly, Foróige Chairperson, who opened the conference and commended volunteers on reaching the momentous anniversary,

Scariff Foróige Club meetings resumed for the 17th year last Friday night. Junior Club for 10-12 year olds runs for one hour from 7.30-8.30pm. That  is be followed by Legend’s Foróige Club for First Years. Meetings take place at Scarriff Rugby Club House’s original building.

This year, Foróige Youth Club will be able to offer a full experience, including a space to meet friends and make new friends. There will also be trips away, mobile filmmaking, photography, discos, table quizzes, games, art projects and much much more. More details are avilable from foroigescarriff@gmail.com.