What is SWAN Youth Service about?

SWAN aims to promote positive involvement of young people in the St. Agatha’s, North Strand and North Wall areas. We hope to build positive working relationships with young people and act as a consistent support for them. We challenge and encourage young people. We want to create a sense of social awareness among those who choose to engage in SWAN’s activities, that the young people have a voice, and that they may participate in their community in positive way and with responsibility. We hope that over time young people will develop a real sense of ownership of the Youth Service. Through group work we help develop new interests among young people, that they develop social, practical and creative skills. We hope that in an often injust and unequal society that as many opportunities are open to the young people of our area, as should be.

What does SWAN do?

Developmental educational and recreational programs. These Include:

Small Group Work Working with teenage boys groups, teenage girls groups and mixed groups through a range of activities. The main aim of this is to develop positive relationships between young people and youth workers, also for the young person to develop social skills, to learn new skills, to develop friendships and to have fun.

Youth Club Activities

Engaging with larger groups of young people in a recreational setting making use of the games room and hall for sports activities Working with young people on a one to one where this kind of support is required. The workers role is to assess the needs of the young person. The worker responds to the individual needs by developing a strategy, involving the young person and sometimes other agencies. This also includes advocacy work

Street Work

SWAN’ s two dedicated Street workers aim to connect with young people in the young person’s territory, ie the streets, outside shops/chippers, etc. In particular they act as a link to young people who are not involved in other services. They deal with issues as they arise, and respond to the needs of the young people. The street workers get to know the young people, they are youth workers who work on the street and engage with young people who tend not to participate in building based activities. In some cases young people are linked into other services or into SWAN youth service activities. Advocacy is a major role of the street worker.

Joint Projects

Working with other youth projects and services, doing joint pieces of work with groups. Also linking individuals into other projects where appropriate.

Issue Based Work

Working with young people around issues such as • Young people’s right / young people and the law • Sexual Heath • Drug Awareness • Racism Awareness

Youth Club Support Work

Providing support to voluntary youth clubs

Outreach

Making contact with members of the service at home, in schools, etc and linking with parents and families

Football

Weekly football sessions for boys and girls in the North Wall area on Mondays and Wednesdays.

We are presently have a small number of dedicated volunteers who commit one night a week of their own time. This is of huge importance to the work as there is always a need for more leaders. We are presently looking for more volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved please contact Ciara at 8560945

If you require any information on SWAN or any of our programs why not drop in to us at St Agatha’s Hall, Dunne Street or call Ciara at 01 8560945 and we will be happy to help