TC/0833

Praise for Prince's Trust volunteers

THIRTEEN young people from Omagh, Beragh, Castlederg, Eskra and Monaghan, who successfully completed the 12-week. Prince's Trust Volunteers Programme, were honoured at a ceremony in Omagh Teachers Centre.
This, the first peripatetic programme in the Western Education and Library Board area, began on Monday, November 9, and was based in Omagh, in response to the August 15 bomb in Market Street when a number of young people were killed or injured.
Congratulating the young participants on their achievements, the chairman of Omagh District Council, Mr. Sean Clarke, said he was impressed by the work the volunteers had carried out in the Omagh community.
"1 am confident that the entire community, of which you are a vital part, have benefited greatly from your generosity of spirit," he said.
Mr. Clarke went on to say that the aim of the Prince's Trust Volunteers was to help provide young people with the opportunity for personal development and to make a contribution to the community through voluntary work.
"The scheme, which is essentially based on teamwork, provides young people with a chance to develop skills in leadership, problem solving and the chance to experience a working environment with the emphasis on enjoyment," he said.
The council chairman went on: "Too often and without justification, our young people are criticised for their lack of responsibility. You are a credit to your generation and I offer you my sincere congratulations for the success of the programme.
"Once again, raising funds for charity has been part of the programme. I congratulate you on the amount of £1,000 which you raised for the Omagh Fund," he said.
Sir David Fell, chairman of the Prince's Trust Volunteers policy group and chairman of the Northern Bank Ltd. presented the certificates at the event.
Congratulating the volunteers on their achievements, Sir David said that the programme prepared young people for the world of work, and, in the process, the local community benefited from the work they did.
"The team has successfully demonstrated what the programme is all about," he said.
Sir David also commended the work of the team leaders, the Western Education and Library Board, Omagh District Council and the main funders of the programme.
He also urged employers to send their young employees on the programme.
The programme has been delivered by the Western Education and Library Board in Omagh, Enniskillen, Limavady and Strabane since 1994.
Its aim is to help young people gain skills and experiences such as teamwork, communication, confidence and motivation which will assist them to gain employment, further education, training or voluntary work.
The team building residential was at the YMCA in Newcastle when the young people undertook many challenging activities including rock-climbing, Canadian canoeing, nightline, low ropes course, aerial runway, bouldering, archery and orienteering.
The team completed two community projects locally. The first was the travelling Christmas show, which was performed at Heatherbank School, Cranny School, Omagh Integrated Primary School and St. Oliver Plunkett Primary School, as well as at the children's ward at the Tyrone County Hospital and at the Camphill Community, Clanabogan.
The second community project involved preparing 1,500 candles for the vigil and carol service in Omagh on December 20.
The young people raised the £1,000 for the Omagh Fund byway of a flag day, 'stay awake' and table quiz.
They gained work experience with a wide range of organisations including Omagh Integrated Primary School, Heatherbank School, Omagh District Council, the Western Education and Library Board, the YMCA, Eskra Primary School, the Camphill Community and at Canine Care.
During the programme the young people gained three NVQ keyskills working with others, improving own learning and communication, a City and Guilds Profile of Achievement and a first aid certificate.
The team challenge was to design and paint two peace murals for Omagh and Buncrana.
As a result of the programme some of the young people have already gained employment and voluntary work. Others have applied for jobs, education or training centres.
The volunteers were Damian McCaskie, Sheila McLaughlin, Ciaran McElhinney, Stephen Quinn, Gary Oswick, Sylvia Hall, Helen Rodgers, Jennifer Smyth, Kerry McBride, Clare Kelly, Elaine Kelly, Noeleen Bradley and Fiona Crawford.