Minister Katherine Zappone visits Limerick Youth Service

Minister Katherine Zappone visits Limerick Youth Service.
Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs pictured with members of Limerick Youth Service at Lava Javas Youth Cafe. picture: Cian Reinhardt/ilovelimerick

Limerick Youth Service hosted Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, for a tour of the facilities, an opportunity to meet the young people involved in the projects and to launch the Limerick Youth Service’s Annual Report.

The Independent Minister took a tour of the facilities on Lower Glentworth Street, starting in the Limerick Youth Services Café and Lava Java’s Youth Café, before speaking to a packed boardroom and launching the Annual Report.

Minister Katherine Zappone visits Limerick Youth Service. Senator Kieran O’Donnell. Fiona O’Grady, Limerick Youth Service CEO and Katherine Zappone, Minister for child and Youth Affairs at the launch of the Limerick Youth Service Annual Report. Picture: Cian Reinhardt/ilovelimerick.

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Minister Zappone said to ilovelimerick, “services such as these have a central role that is core to Government achieving their objectives in relation to children and youths, we can’t do it without them. It is a privilege for me to come and experience first hand what they do here.“

On a day that saw the Limerick Youth Service announce their Be Well Limerick Week; Minister Katherine Zappone spoke of the importance of mental health wellbeing with today’s youth:“I know mental health and wellbeing is a particular focus of the youth cafe here,” said Minister Katherine Zappone, adding, “I know, even if they are given resources, not even a huge amount of resources, they themselves can find ways to create projects that really support their peers, to find better mental health and cope with what is going on in their day-to-day lives.”

Minister Katherine Zappone visits Limerick Youth Service. Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs pictured receiving a cake by members at Lava Javas Youth Cafe. Picture: Cian Reinhardt/ilovelimerick

“I know mental health and wellbeing is a particular focus of the youth cafe here,” said Minister Katherine Zappone, adding, “I know, even if they are given resources, not even a huge amount of resources, they themselves can find ways to create projects that really support their peers, to find better mental health and cope with what is going on in their day-to-day lives.”

Be Well Limerick Week, the youth-driven initiative, will consist of workshops and information sessions to demonstrate ways in which people can look after their mental health. The week will be an opportunity to promote positive mental health among young people.

In 2015, over 4,000 young people across Limerick City and County took part in youth projects, cafés and clubs with over 170 learners taking part in the second chance education opportunities.

One such project is the Limerick Youth Service’s Youth Mental Health Project. The project provides one-to-one counselling and support in helping with issues such as alcohol and substance misuse, emotional support, grief and loss as well as sexuality and stress related issues.

Limerick Youth Service works in partnership with a number of national and regional organisations to provide youth cafés, youth clubs, projects and educational programmes for young people under the age of 25.

You can find out more information about Limerick Youth Service here.
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