Published: Wednesday, 21st July, 2010 5:00pm

Youthreach reaches 21!

Young people get inspiration through art.
Pic by==: 97

Cavan Youthreach is celebrating 21 years in 2010, more than two decades of success during which more than 1000 young people have enjoyed the benefits it supplies.

The Co. Cavan Vocational Educational Committee Youthreach Training Centre was established in 1989, to cater for the social and educational needs of unqualified early school-leavers. Cavan Youthreach continues to provide a wide range of FETAC accredited courses, which include Communications, Maths, Personal Effectiveness, Woodcraft, Horticulture, Glass Craft, Hair and Beauty, Food and Nutrition, IT, SPHE, Living In A Diverse Society, for the 50 learners enrolled.

Its Summer Programme offers learners the opportunity to become involved in community projects, and this year, they adopted a section of road which they keep clean with regular litter-picks. They have also been busy painting lampposts and bollards in Cavan town in the run-up to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

An art project is in its final stages, and the work will be displayed in Cavan during the fleadh.

Learners have had the opportunity to display their communications skills by writing and editing articles for the Youthreach newsletter and researching and complying inspirational quotes which will be displayed at their exhibition in The Johnson Library in September.

Among the other activities were visits to the Irish naval base in Cork and a two-week army programme organised and delivered by personnel from Dun Ui Neill Barracks.

Water safety at Annagh Lake is also a favourite, and learners have taken part in a two-week course designed to improve and develop their swimming and safety skills. Sport features high on the agenda at Cavan Youthreach and the sport day has become an annual event; 14 learners achieved their FAI Kick Start Coaching Certificates in June.

Youthreach is a full-time training and education programme for early school-leavers aged 15-20. It offers a flexible and dynamic programme of integrated general education, vocational training and work experience.

Its main objectives are:

• personal, social and educational development

• promoting independence, personal autonomy and a pattern of lifelong learning

• integration into further education and training opportunities

• promoting active citizenship and social inclusion.

Cavan Youthreach is continually growing and developing to meet the needs of its learners; visit cavanyouthreach.ie to see more about what they do there.

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