Resilience and hard work of young people is recognised
By Mary Dennehy
THE “resilience, vision, self-belief, compassion and hard work” of young people across local communities was recognised at this year’s DMR South Garda Youth Awards.
The awards were presented to young people living in the DMR South divisional areas of Tallaght, Crumlin and Terenure and their respective sub-districts of Rathfarnham, Sundrive and Rathmines.
TCS Principal Aidan Lynch, Insp Paul Sargent and Garda Chris O'Callaghan with Community Safety Award Winners Jake, Amy, Sinead and Elizabeth
Three awards were presented to young people in the Tallaght area, including 18-year-old Annie Hutchinson from Rossfield – who was presented with an award for her hard work, motivation and leadership.
Annie was nominated by Sean Murphy and Kevin Dickson, who work with Foroige’s Boost project in the Brookfield Youth and Community Centre.
Speaking with The Echo, Sean said that Annie, who is a member of the Traveller community, came to the Boost project last September – and has in a very short time become a leader for other young people in the area.
Annie had been out of school for two years when she joined the Boost project at the age of 17 in September 2020 – and eight months down the line has secured work experience in the community centre.
“In a very short space of time, Annie made a very big impact,” Sean said.
“Annie saw an opportunity [when she came to the Boost project] and became interested in doing more.
“She worked on her own development and the opportunity she saw for herself she’s taken that and is now giving it to other young people.
Sean Murphy (Youth Justice Worker), Annie Hutchinson with her award and Garda Chris O’Callaghan
“Annie has very much become a leader for other young people in the community…and wants to work with young people on the project.
“Her presence in the [Brookfield] community centre is also encouraging other young people into the centre; they know Annie is here.”
Sean added: “Annie has worked so hard and it’s brilliant that she’s gotten this [Garda Youth Award] recognition.”
Two Garda Youth Awards were also presented to young people in Tallaght Community School (TCS).
First-up, the Special Achievement Award was present to fifth year student Abi Whelan, who was nominated by her school for showing personal resilience and strength and following her dreams despite challenges faced.
The Special Achievement Award was presented to fifth year student Abi Whelan
In a separate presentation at the local school, the Community Safety Award was given to a group of four students who trained to be Jigsaw peer educators.
Jigsaw is the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, and information is available on the Jigsaw website.
Students Sinead Burke, Amy McMahon, Elizabeth Tinuoye and Jake Fallon deliver Jigsaw’s ‘It’s Time to Start Talking’ peer education programme.
To ensure they could continue delivering the talk during lockdown, they re-imaged their presentation and placed their voices over a slide show presentation – which was then sent to students at home.
“This programme is really, really important,” Aidan Lynch, TCS Principal told The Echo.
“It’s helping to get the message of positive mental health out to students and supports teenagers in delivering that message to their peers.
“The peer-led element is very important…it’s invaluable.
“Young people are letting their peers know that there are people out there who can help… and it’s promoting positivity and mental health awareness.”
Other DMR South Garda Youth Awards presented included Lauren Whelan of Loreto College Crumlin (Individual Award) and the Transition Year students in Loreto Beaufort Rathfarnham (Group Award).
Speaking with The Echo, Garda Inspector Paul Sergeant said: “On behalf of all the gardai in the DMR South Division I would like to thank all the teachers and young people who participated in this year’s awards.
“The standard of the nominations this year was very high and all the young people who took part were shining lights at a time when we all need inspiration.
“Their achievements represent all that is good in our society including resilience, vision, self-belief, compassion and hard work.”
This year, local gardai presented awards in schools and settings within young people’s communities.
The sponsor of this year’s awards was Tallaght Cross Hotel.
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