Warm welcome for new youth service in north Mayo

“It has broadened my mind and everyone is welcome here."

That's according to a young person taking part in activities with the new youth service in Erris.

The service, to be called An Cosán, will be formally launched on Friday, June 2, at 11 a.m. in Áras Inis Gluaire.

The service which is operated by Foróige and funded by Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Trianing Board, has its base in Belmullet and works with young people aged between 10 and 25 there, and also in Eachléim and Cornboy.

One of the young people talked about how much they get from the service said: “I love coming to the project every week, we have such fun and the two youth workers are fantastic, we can talk about anything to them."

The service is part of the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme which is operated by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and works with young people from ten years of age upwards.

This scheme provides out-of-school supports to young people in their local communities to enable them to overcome adverse circumstances and achieve their full potential.

It helps young people to develop in areas such as self-confidence, resilience, creativity and relationships with others, and considering the location of this service, young people will be encouraged to enjoy some activities through the medium of Irish.

Speaking about the new project, ETB Youth Officer, Breda Ruane stated: “It is wonderful to be at this stage, we are delighted that the service got off to such a great start. Foróige have been a pleasure to work with and they are providing a really fantastic service for young people across Erris."

Hazel O’Connor, Foróige senior youth worker who is based in An Cosán, outlined: “We have already seen a number of positive outcomes for young people in the area and the partnership and support provided by the youth officer has been central in achieving these outcomes."

The service came about in 2021/2022 when MSLETB was one of two successful ETBS to be selected to develop a new youth service in their respective area. The competition was open to all 16 ETBs in the country to enter, with just two projects – including this one – selected to proceed.

At the launch, details will be revealed about a new exciting virtual digital project between MSLETB, Thamarai (India), Foróige, An Cosán, Erris youth service and the BEY Project, Ballyhaunis.