Mayor announces Game On initiative to reach out to young people

MAYOR of Derry and Strabane District Council, Cllr Maolíosa McHugh, is showing his support for young people in the City and District through a new Mayor’s Initiative entitled Game On!

 The Initiative is aimed at working with partners and young people within five areas of the Derry and Strabane District including – Castlederg, Sion Mills, Ballyarnett, Rosemount/ Glen and St Columb’s Park – to engage with them and help identify their needs and interest that will assist Council in putting together a bespoke programme of activity.

As part of the initiative, young people will have access to an informal space to hang out, access hot drinks, take part in group work and games, and have access to computers and gaming through the Off the Streets bus funded through the Big Lottery.

Youth workers will have the opportunity to talk to the young people about the potential support which can be offered through the Mayor’s initiative, which will have strong focus on sport and arts, activities known to support the wellbeing of young people.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative the Mayor, Cllr McHugh says he is very keen to engage with young people throughout the Council area and is delighted to lead on an initiative that looks at their needs and interests while at the same time acknowledges the many challenges they face in their everyday lives.

He said: “I am delighted to be in a position as Mayor to be part of an initiative that will work with young people and their youth workers.

“I understand that young people in different areas have different needs and interests and may face some challenges to taking part in activities, this can range from cost to a lack of opportunity.

“We hope that through Game On and our initial engagement with youth workers on the bus within each local area that we can grasp an understanding of what activities young people would like to take part in and to tailor a programme based on the results of the conversations.

“The Council, in its Strategic Growth Plan, is fully committed to creating opportunities for young people’s engagement and identifying services of target need.

“I am confident that this Mayoral Initiative will go some way towards delivering on this commitment and to assist in providing opportunities for our young people to get involved in activities and feel safer and more included in our society,” he said.

As part of the initiative, additional support is being offered to those working with young people by funding training for youth workers and volunteers working front line with young people as part of the programme.

The arts element of this project is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland under the Challenge Fund.

As part of the Game On initiative, the Off the Streets bus will be located at the following venues over the coming weeks –

To find out more about the programme visit us online at www.gameonyouth.com