TWENTY-THREE young people from Northside Partnership’s Young Community Leader (YCL) programme attended their graduation ceremony in NUI Galway recently.
The leaders, aged 16 to 25 and from Belcamp, Bonnybrook, Darndale, Donaghmede, Donnycarney, Edenmore, Harmonstown, Kilbarrack, Kilmore, Moatview and Priorswood, received certificates for their FETAC Level 6 qualification in Youth Leadership and Community Action.
The programme encourages the young people who take part to become the future leaders of their communities.
As part of the intensive one-year course the participants undertake a range of modules, including a practical community action project, in order to achieve the formal FETAC Level 6 qualification in Youth Leadership and Community Action.
YCL coordinator Carol Conway said this year the event was a real family affair.
“It’s so exciting to see another group of our Young Community Leaders graduate in NUI Galway,
? stated Ms Conway.
“We always say that the YCL group is like one big family, they work so well together during the year and are a real support to each other.
“This year though, the event is even more of a family affair because strangely enough we have three sets of siblings who took part in the course that are graduating together.
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Amongst the 23 graduates, the siblings included brothers Eric and Dean Brady, brothers Daniel and Anthony Blake, and siblings Shannon Baker, Danielle Baker and Dean Purdue.
One of the young graduates, Daniel Blake, is already thinking of his next steps and how he plans to use his leadership skills to benefit his community.
“I’m chuffed to bits, feeling really proud to be honoured with this certificate from NUI Galway,
? he said.
“The year went by really quickly and I enjoyed every single minute of it. I can’t wait to use the skills that I have learned in the community now.
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