Launch of unique resource to break down barriers for young people

At the event four young people will present their personal stories from a range of diverse backgrounds including a minority ethnic teenager, a disabled youth, a young person from the LGBT community and a young Traveller.

This resource is essential for anyone working with young people and invites organisations to examine how they currently work and engage with youth from a variety of backgrounds. A series of interactive chapters will enable an individual or a group to see the level of access they are providing to all young people, especially those from minority ethnic communities, young Travellers, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender young people, young people with a disability, early school leavers, young people involved in the juvenile justice system, young parents and young people with mental health issues.

“It was very apparent to everyone that developed this toolkit that, with the exception of a limited number of youth groups, there are unnecessary barriers put in the way of many young people in accessing their local youth groups. In light of this we came together to share our experiences and to create this hands-on and easy to use resource. We wanted to make it as easy as possible for youth leaders to change the way they work and start actively including all young people who have not been able to take part before,” stated Anne Walsh, Intercultural Project Officer at NYCI.

Ms. Walsh concluded: “Making young people with diverse lives welcome is not hard, but it does take a little more effort. “Access All Areas” is a one-stop-shop resource that will guide youth leaders along the way and change the way we work with those from minority backgrounds and make sure that all young people in a community feel they belong and are actively participating.”

The resource will be available to download through NYCI’s website at www.youth.ie/diversity

ENDS

For further information, please contact Clodagh O’Brien, Communications Officer at NYCI on 087 781 4903 or 01 425 5955 or e-mail communications@nyci.ie.

National Youth Council of Ireland

The National Youth Council of Ireland is a membership-led umbrella organisation that represents and supports the interests of 55 voluntary youth organisations and uses its collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people.