Newington Youth Forum’s Information Day at Ulster University

Following a decision by our Board to prioritise ‘Investment in Youth’ as one of our strategic objectives for 2023/24, an initial discussion was held with local youth workers and young people to get their views on what they felt the needs of young people were at present. Some of the issues that were identified by them were the lack of job opportunities, high levels of
drugs use and poor mental health.

As a result of these initial discussions a ‘Youth Forum’ was subsequently formed and is made up of young people from two local youth organisations.

On Tuesday, 20th of August, youth forum members and youth leaders, in partnership with Association staff and representatives from our Tenant Forum organised and delivered an extremely successful ‘Information Day’ for young people at the Ulster University’s, Belfast Campus.

Young people from across the city attended this event which was designed to enable them to decide on their next steps for the future. Several groups and organisations were in attendance and provided practical advice and guidance to over 80 – 100 young people.

Speaking after the event, our Director of Communities, Jacqui Gilmore said “Over the past six months, the Association has been working closely with youth leaders and young people from Holy Family Youth Club and New Lodge Youth Centre to seek their views and try to develop a new local Youth Forum.

We were delighted to see these working partnerships evolve, which has resulted in the recent establishment of Newington Youth Forum. This event, which has been attended by so many young people is a great example of partnership working at its best.

I also want to thank all the local service providers, training and employment agencies, our statutory and community partners and local mental health advisors who were in attendance today. This was the Youth Forums first ever event and, in my view, it has been extremely successful, and there has been a lot of positive feedback.

I am also delighted that this event was financially supported via our Brian Mullan Community Fund, as the fund was developed several years ago to support the delivery of these types of initiatives.

Finally, I wish to thank the dedication and hard work of the staff within the local youth centres and the young people. We look forward to working with the Youth Forum members and will assist in any way we can to deliver further joint initiatives moving forward.”