Interest surges for youth Euro trips

By Maurice Garvey

MORE young people availed of European Erasmus project trips from Ballyfermot Youth Service (BYS) in 2016 than ever before.

In 2016, over 120 from BYS travelled to a wide number of European countries to take part in projects.

BYS successfully engaged with 1,500 young people throughout the year in various programmes and activities, as the service grows from strength to strength, despite community groups suffering from decreased funding in recent years.

The figures are contained in the BYS 2016 annual report, which was launched on Monday evening in Gurteen Park, by Dublin City Council Assistant Manager Brendan Kenny.

Independent councillor Vincent Jackson, chairperson of BYS, hailed a “historic year”, citing involvement in a number of commemorations, including the 1916 celebrations and the growth of a social media presence with “over 300,000 views” of street-art performances on the BYS Facebook page.

Cllr Jackson said 2016 also saw the development of a “five-year Strategic Plan for BYS” which looked at “resources, staffing, programme development” for 2016-2021.

“We talked and discussed with all stakeholders including young people, staff, volunteers and funders,” said Cllr Jackson.

“We look forward to implementing this plan over the coming years. Next year we will be celebrating our 30th year in operation and we are committed to improving and keeping the service relevant to the needs of young people in Dublin 10.”

BYS are the first point of contact for many young people seeking information on a variety of issues – and had 5,000 visits to both their centres by young people in 2016.

The organisation provide free confidential open drop-in and internet service with late-night openings five days a week, at information centres in Drumfinn Park and Decies Road.