Dublin GAA Senior Footballer Dean Rock is encouraging youth organisations to apply for funding through the Vhi Health & Wellbeing Fund.
Established in 2020 in partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation (IYF), the fund is dedicated to supporting young people’s health and wellbeing.
Launched in January by Dublin GAA footballer Dean Rock, the 2022 Vhi Health & Wellbeing Fund aims to support projects that are seeking to strengthen resilience in young people and help them manage anxiety.
Last year, 11 youth focused organisations across the country were awarded grants for projects focused on strengthening resilience and helping young people manage anxiety.
When each of the funded projects are completed, it is expected that over 200,000 young people will be impacted through the initiatives.
In Dublin, successful recipients of last year’s Fund include Clowns Without Borders Ireland, Bradóg Youth Services and Just Ask, Fingal CYPSC and City of Dublin YMCA.
Clowns Without Borders delivered their ‘Ripples of Laughter’ programme to support young people living in Direct Provision while Bradóg Youth Services and Just Ask trained eight to twelve young people to become local agents that will promote a more community conscious culture.
Fingal CYPSC was awarded a grant for producing a series of webinars for young people designed to provide them with the supports they need to manage anxiety and strengthen their resilience.
City of Dublin YMCA created a targeted mentoring programme for vulnerable and at-risk young people.
Based on a one-to-one mentoring service, the programme aims to nurture personal growth and development within the young person.
The emphasis this year continues to be on supporting programmes focused on early intervention and prevention for young people.
It is open to applications from non-profit and charitable organisations who work directly with young people or with adults who surround them.
Grants of €5,000 and €10,000 will be available through the fund.
Commenting on the fund, Dublin GAA Senior Footballer and Vhi Health & Wellbeing Fund Ambassador Dean Rock said: “It is my great pleasure to help launch this fund with the Vhi and Irish Youth Foundation.
“Growing up in a family that had strong ties to Gaelic football, I developed an appreciation for the support offered by local community initiatives during my teenage years.
“A strong local community provides purpose, and mine has played an essential role in helping me to become the citizen and sportsperson I am today.”
For more information, or to make an application, visit www.iyf.ie/grants. Applications are open until midnight on Wednesday 23rd February