**14[th]** ANNUAL REPORT ENAGH YOUTH FORUM ## **Enagh Youth Forum** **14[th] Annual Report** _**‘Advancing Youth & Community Development In Enagh’**_ ## **– Reporting Period: 1[st] April 2024 31[st] March 2025** **Enagh Youth Forum 6-7 Parkmore Drive, Strathfoyle, Enagh Derry/Londonderry BT476XP Charity Registration Number: NIC100603** _**‘Making Enagh Cleaner, Greener & Safer’**_ ## **Contents:** Our Story Organisational Structure Management Committee Chairpersons Message Managers Report Our Highlights Where We Are What We Do Our Charitable Objectives Current Staffing Arrangements Who We Help Our Model of Engagement/Strategy Focus One – Promoting social well-being in young people Focus Two – Promoting economic well-being in young people Focus Three – Promoting environmental well-being in young people Focus Four – Campaigning & Lobbying Strathfoyle Community Empowerment Project Partnership Working Programme Review Looking Forward Comments & Feedback Training & Development Appendices ## **Our Story:** Enagh Youth Forum founded in 2010 exists to meet the identified needs of the youth from across the Enagh ward. This youth led organisation meets the need as it comes through the door; from education to training and employment opportunities the group have developed programmes and services to meet the identified need. The organisation develops social capacity through personal development, campaigning and lobbying and inclusive best practice. The core focus of our work is to promote well-being in young people. We do this through a wide range of projects that seek to promote economic, social and environmental well-being for young people aged 10-24. The essence of our work is to make the world a better place for young people. **In July 2025 EYF will celebrate our 15th year anniversary!** ## **Our Aim:** The aim of Enagh Youth Forum is to Reach, Include, Engage & Collectively Empower and Value local young people within the Enagh Ward 1 of the Rural Faughan DEA of Derry City and Strabane District Council Area; and also Market & Extend our model of practice out there to ensure that other young people can benefit from the same. ## **Our Vision:** Enagh Youth Forum’s vision is that we are ‘Youth Led’ and support young people to take the lead and plan and deliver their own services based on identified need; and in doing so we are focused on outcomes and delivering benefits to young people and the wider local community. ## **Our Mission:** Enagh Youth Forum is helping young people collectively empower themselves through unlocking potential by reaching, engaging and providing opportunities to encourage and facilitate positive life choices. ## **Our Values:** ## **Passion** At Enagh Youth Forum we have a dream and we believe in our cause. ## **Respect** At Enagh Youth Forum we are non-judgemental and respectfully listen ## **Integrity** At Enagh Youth Forum we know that actions speak louder than words ## **Dedication** At Enagh Youth Forum we focus on the positive and believe in the possible ## **Engagement** At Enagh Youth Forum we lead by example ## **Organisational Structure:** **----- Start of picture text -----**
ENAGH YOUTH FORUM
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
ENAGH YOUTH FORUM SUB-COMMITTEES
• Community Planning
• Employment/Human Resources
• Fundraising
STAFF
Project Manager Finance & YouthLinks Project
(YouthLinks Project) Administration Officer Coordinator
(YouthLinks Project) PT Youth Support
Workers (YouthLinks)
x2
SCEP Admin Support Transition Support
Volunteers Worker (SPOD) Worker
Facilitators/Mentors
BENEFICIARIES – YOUNG PEOPLE OF ENAGH WARD
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## **Management Committee:** The management committee board (Trustees) provide direction, guidance and ongoing support for the continued development of Enagh Youth Forum. We aim to carry out our work guided by the ‘Code of Good Governance’ which, is a best practice document setting the standard for all governing committees in the voluntary/community sector in Northern Ireland. As of our most recent AGM, Monday 16[th] December 2024 our management committee, officer board and trustees are: Ann Gormley Aimee Hume Michaela Doherty Breandan Callaghan Dion Coyle Zara Doherty Ruairi Boyle Kevin McLaughlin ## **Organisational Overview:** |Access NI Child
Protection Umbrella
Body|North West Volunteer Centre, 22 Bishop Street Within, Derry,
BT82 6PP| |---|---| |Registration with
Charities Commission|As of 10thOctober 2014, we are registered as a charity and our
registration number is as follows:**NIC100603**| |Bankers|Ulster Bank, Waterside, Derry, BT47 1AS| |Solicitors|McCartney & Casey Legal Services, 3-4 Castle Street, Derry,
BT486HG| |Accountants|Moore NI Accountants
21-23 Clarendon St, Londonderry BT48 7EP| |Insurers|Ansvar Insurance. Broker: Dawson Whyte North West 17-21
Bishop Street, Derry, BT486PR| |Membership of
Supporting
Organisations|North West Community Network
North West Volunteer Centre
Youth Action Northern Ireland
The Rural Community Network
The Education Authority
NICVA / NWCN| |Local Groups|Faughan Strategic Growth Partnership Board
Mobuoy Dump Stakeholders Group
Strathfoyle/Maydown Community Safety Forum
Strathfoyle Greenway Campaign Steering Group
Enagh Country Park Enterprises| ## **Chairperson’s Message (Year Ending 31 March 2025)** I am proud and privileged to have served as Chairperson of Enagh Youth Forum throughout the year ending 31 March 2025. This past year has been one of reflection, achievement and forward planning as we moved through into the final year of our National Lottery Community Fund supported **YouthLinks** project. I would like to sincerely thank The National Lottery Community Fund for their continued investment and support over the lifetime of this project, which has made a meaningful and lasting difference to the lives of young people in the Greater Strathfoyle area. Through the £499,450 investment, Enagh Youth Forum has continued to deliver a wide range of targeted youth support services aimed at improving young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing, building confidence and life skills, and strengthening connections within the community. Over the course of the project, young people have remained at the centre of decision-making, shaping learning activities on issues important to them such as youth safety, climate change, life skills and youth rights, alongside social activities and youth-led initiatives developed with peers from neighbouring areas. The popular **‘Give & Take’ Summer Programme** once again proved to be a highlight of the year, with over 58 young people benefiting from a programme of group work activities, outdoor pursuits, social action projects and family-friendly events across Easter, Halloween, Christmas and St Patrick’s Day. The annual Community Fun Day, held in August, was again very well attended, welcoming over 200 local families and reinforcing the importance of inclusive, positive community spaces. Throughout 2024/25, Enagh Youth Forum has continued to play a vital role in local youth and community development. We supported young people through one-to-one support, group work, practical life skills development and accredited training opportunities aimed at enhancing employability and personal development. We have also continued to build on the success of the **Strathfoyle Cleaner, Greener and Safer** project and the delivery of the **Strathfoyle Village Plan 2023–2028** , working in partnership with local groups, the NI Housing Executive, RAPID NI and Derry City & Strabane District Council. Progress during the year included continued advancement of the Stradowen Drive Greenway, alongside ongoing advocacy for improved public transport and road safety along the Temple Road. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the dedicated staff team and volunteers whose commitment, professionalism and passion continue to underpin everything that Enagh Youth Forum delivers. Thank you to Michelle, Laila, Paul, Louise, Noel, Linda and Elle for your continued hard work and dedication. Finally, I would like to thank the **young members of Enagh Youth Forum** , aged between 10 and 24, for their enthusiasm, honesty and engagement throughout the year. Your participation, achievements and willingness to share your experiences are at the heart of EYF’s success. I encourage you to continue to stay involved, to use your voice and to remain central to shaping the future of youth services in our community. On behalf of Enagh Youth Forum, I would also like to thank all of our funders and partners for their support over the past year. Your investment continues to make a real and lasting difference to young people, families and the wider Strathfoyle community. Yours Sincerely, Ann Gormley ## **Chairperson** _**EYF – ‘Cleaner & Greener’ Award Winners 2021**_ ## **Managers Report:** These past twelve months have been very busy and EYF have continued to support youth and community development in the Strathfoyle and Greater Enagh area. There have been a number of positive achievements. Enagh Youth Forum secured funding for a new three Year YouthLinks Project from The National Lottery Community Fund. The YouthLinks Project commenced in April 2023. Year two of the YouthLinks Project was a huge success, has helped transform lives and promote positive engagement locally. Hundreds of young people have benefited from our youth support services, life skills development programmes, outdoor pursuits provision, having fun; and a range of community events. Construction completed on the Stradowen Drive Greenway link and it was officially opened on the 23[rd] of December 2024! The YouthLinks Project will now enter its final year commencing 1[st] April 2025 and running up until 31[st] March 2026. The continued roll out of the ‘YouthLinks’ project will enable EYF to continue to combat the worst effects of rural isolation and social exclusion; as well as empowering young people in the decision making processes and making voice heard and made matter across the rural Faughan area. This report reflects on some of our achievements over these past twelve months. As of the 31[st] March 2025, 161 young people aged 10-24 years old were registered with the YouthLinks Project. Of that number, on average 55-65 young people continued to be engaged through various projects and programmes aimed at improving economic, environmental and social well-being and through also attending Enagh Youth Forum’s ‘Drop In’ workshops and groupwork sessions weekly. Fourteen local young people continued to take responsibility for managing the project annually. Our focus has been on empowering young people to make their own decisions, collectively empower each other, make links with young people in other rural communities located within the rural Faughan DEA and take forward a ‘child rights based approach’ through embedding the core principles of the UNCRC within our service delivery. Thanks to our continued funding support from the National Lottery Community Fund we were delighted to be able to deliver once again what was a very successful ‘Give & Take’ summer intervention programme. We also worked closely with our young people and project evaluators Logue Associates to develop and refine our Model of Youth Engagement which we launched in Autumn / Winter 2024 and shared with other youth organisations across Derry & Strabane and wider NI. Enagh Youth Forum continues to be represented on the local Strathfoyle and Maydown Community Safety Forum which meets bi-monthly. We also have enhanced the positive working relationship with the local NIHE Office, Neighbourhood Warden and Patch Manager. Furthermore through carrying out regular estate inspections, this year we submitted 19 requests for repairs to street lighting, pot holes, re-surfacing requests, drainage issues, overgrown trees/hedges, road signage and new road/footpath schemes to The Department For Infrastructure. We also continue to attend the multi-agency estate inspections organised by Supporting Communities which help address other issues identified and involves the local NIHE, DSSDC, PCSP and others. Most of all Enagh Youth Forum continues to pursue its goal of making and leaving the world a better place for young people. We are achieving this through; putting young people first, meeting the need in front of us, and promoting social, economic and environmental well-being. We also continue to campaign for improved services for the local area. I would like to acknowledge, recognise and value the contribution of our external partners particularly the support provided to us by The North West Volunteer Centre and Youth Action. I also wish to commend the work of our staff and volunteers, our managing committee for their commitment and support and giving so generously of their time. Finally I would like to commend the young people who have participated in the YouthLinks Project and who over these past twelve months have benefited greatly from the project through participating in a wide range of training courses, practical life skills, social action projects and helping to plan and organise a range of community and family events. Lets move forward into Year 3 of the YouthLinks Project together. ## **Paul Hughes** Manager ## **Funders:** Enagh Youth Forum’s Management Committee, Staff, Volunteers thank all who funded our work this year. Without this support Enagh Youth Forum would not be such a vibrant grassroots organisation delivering personal and social development programmes on the ground to our beneficiaries, improving the environment, promoting health & well being and working towards the creation of a safer, shared community. ## **Donations Appreciation:** A special thankyou to all those who have made donations to Enagh Youth Forums Annual Christmas fundraising draw. These include Foyle Port, U-Store Maydown, Evermore Energy, Coolkeeragh ESB, Coyle Coals, RiverRidge Recycling, Pat O’Kane Car Sales, Maxol Eglinton, Mark Duffy and Daniel Coyle. Your continued support is very much appreciated by everyone at Enagh Youth Forum. Big thanks also to ERE Developments Ltd and ABO NI Ltd who donated funds towards the purchase of Speed Indicator Devices for the local area as part of a wider Roads Safety Initiative. ## **KEY HIGHLIGHTS:** **1. Enagh Youth Forum nominated by Derry City & Strabane District Council for the 2025 IPB ‘Pride of Place Awards’.** **2. Enagh Youth Forum successfully delivered a ‘Give & Take’ Summer Intervention Project with over 58 young people participating.** **3. DCSDC officially opened the Stradowen Drive Greenway Link!** **4. Young People helped were positively engaged through weekly youth drop in sessions.** **5. Young people participated in a range of projects aimed at promoting youth safety, health and well-being and life skills and learning.** **6. Young People Helped Plan a Number of Successful Community Events Including A Fun Day, Halloween Community Fireworks event and Christmas events.** **7. Young People Continued to Campaign for Improved Road Safety Measures on Temple Road (DFI have confirmed works will complete before 31[st] March 2026’)** **8. Young People Have Secured Accreditations and Qualifications in ‘Bush Craft’, ‘Pony Care, Kayaking, Boxing, Wall Climbing, Skin Care & More!** **9. EYF continue to be represented at the monthly Strathfoyle/Maydown Community Safety Forum meetings and Faughan Growth Board.** **10. Keeping Strathfoyle Tidy – Numerous Social Action Projects Completed** **11. EYF Delivered a number of health and well-being projects aimed at promoting healthy and more active lifestyles.** **12. Young People Discover Wildlife On Their Doorstep & Continue to Look After Enagh Lough through & various environmental social action projects.** **13. Young People from EYF complete Road Safety & Lobby for Traffic Calming measures on the main Temple Road.** **14. Young People Develop Participated in a number of Good Relations Projects** **15. Young People have had lots of fun, made friends and memories, learned about and implemented a child rights approach and launched Faughan Youth Bank.** ## **Where We Are:** Strathfoyle is located some eight kilometres north east of Derry/Londonderry and approximately two kilometres from the A2 Derry/Londonderry to Coleraine road. To the north it is bounded by industry and the port complex at Lisahally and to the south by the Area of High Scenic Value along the River Foyle banks. The Port is Derry’s key marine access point to the world and deals with a constant stream of freight and industrial cargo, which is distributed throughout Ireland from the Port. The settlement was developed in phases between the late 1950’s and the late 1960’s, as a direct result of the ongoing industrial development at Maydown and its layout is typical of post-war public housing estates. Strathfoyle was more seriously developed after the war and in the 1950s it was established as a housing estate. The area which is commonly known throughout Strathfoyle as ‘The New Estate’ was built shortly after the erection of the first set of houses, in different phases spanning across three decades, the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s. In the new millennium, Strathfoyle has seen a surge in popularity and is now seen as a choice location for young people looking for residence. This high interest has led to the construction of new additions to the Strathfoyle area, including ‘The Old Fort’ and ‘Butlers Wharf’. The village facilities has a small retail outlet including a pharmacy, a supermarket, a fast food take-away and a hairdressers, a Roman Catholic chapel, a library, youth club, children’s play park and a post office. The area also has four locally established charitable community groups including Strathfoyle Women’s Activity Group, Strathfoyle Community Association, Tiny Tots Community Play Group & Enagh Youth Forum. Construction works started on the new 2.7km Strathfoyle Greenway in March 2022 and is expected to open by 31[st] December 2022. St Oliver Plunkett Primary School provides education for around 221 pupils in the area. The school was established in 1975 and is the main primary school in the Strathfoyle and Greater Enagh area. The majority of post primary school students in Strathfoyle attend schools such as Oakgrove Integrated College, St Marys High School in Limavady, or St Columns College. Oakgrove Integrated College is located near to the village and is a popular choice among students due to its proximity to the village. ## **Levels Of Disadvantage:** Despite much good work to date by the community sector alongside statutory partners high levels of need remain in the area. Strathfoyle is currently ranked in the top 20% most deprived areas in Northern Ireland with some specific streets within Strathfoyle falling within the top 10%. Unemployment levels are stubbornly high, 7.7% compared with the Northern Ireland average of 4.1%. The rate of lone parents with dependent children is 21.4% compared against the Northern Ireland average of 8.1%. Examination of demographic trends also shows a very youthful population with 32.6% aged less than 16 years. Strathfoyle is located in Enagh Ward 1 which is located within the Faughan DEA and is an area of high disadvantage. It is characterised by the following: - (a) There are exceptional levels of long term unemployment at 43% (NISRA) - (b) 28% of children within Enagh Ward are living in poverty (Child Poverty Action Group 2012) - (c) Strathfoyle is on a bus route but services are irregular, almost half of all residents in Strathfoyle (49%) do not have access to a car and rely on public transport (a taxi to Derry costs £6.50 single fare) - (d) The Enagh ward has 1113 children and young people (CSA General Practioner’s List) - (e) Enagh is rated within top 20% most deprived wards in NI. - (f) Enagh is a rural ward and its residents come from mixed religious backgrounds. - (g) Strathfoyle has now been designated to be ‘an area at risk’ by the Department of Communities and is listed as an anti-social behaviour hotspot within the Community Safety Partnership Audit of ASB Hotspots 2010 - (h) The Enagh ward, which incorporates Strathfoyle and Maydown. Statistics from the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation measure 2010, show that Enagh 1 Derry has an overall rank of 180 out of 890 Social Output Areas (SOA). - (i) It is also ranked 119 in the income component of these measures, 214 for employment, 176 for health and disability and 280 for skills and training. This puts the entire ward just outside the top 10% multiple deprived areas in Northern Ireland. In relation to crime, Enagh rates 257 with a total of 377. - (j) Enagh ranks 99 for ‘Income Deprivation Affecting Children’ When Strathfoyle is viewed on its own, the deprivation levels are even more severe which is why the area has been deemed an Area At Risk by the Department for Communities. ## **What We Do:** _**‘Prevention, Intervention & Progression’**_ Enagh Youth Forum was founded in 2010 having developed and re-constituted from the Strathfoyle Youth Forum, which formed in 2008. The forum was developed by and for the benefit of local young people between the ages of 10 – 24 years, regardless of ability, gender, race, political, religious or other opinion within the Greater Enagh area. EYF is now a well established community based youth organisation and continues to make a significant contribution to youth and community development processes locally. Our forum exists to provide opportunities for young people and to help combat the worst effects of rural isolation and social exclusion and promote the re-generation of the local area. _“Its about putting people first and meeting the need presented in front of us”_ Through valuing, reaching and positively engaging with young people ‘on the streets’ in their space when and where they are at we promote and support their inclusion and participation in active learning programmes which they are interested in and involve them in the planning, design and delivery of them. A core focus of our work this year has been the continued delivery of our ‘YouthLinks Project’ which will run until 31[st] March 26. Over the life of the project, Youthlinks will focus on eight key themes working directly with local young people aged 10-24 years old who reside within the Enagh Ward. 1. Youth Safety 2. The Environment & Future of the Natural World 3. Lifeskills & Learning 4. Social Events & Engagement 5. Health & Well-Being 6. Active Citizenship, Community Service & Good Relations 7. Social Justice / Youth Rights (Awakened Activists) 8. Faughan Youth Bank Initiative Enagh Youth Forum staff, volunteers, trustees and peer leaders provide the ongoing encouragement and support to enable this to happen through our close working relationship with the local community association, women’s group, EA youth centre and The Rural Faughan Growth Board, The Rural Area Partnership In Derry, Youth Action and others. Enagh Youth Forum regularly review policies and procedures in line with best practice, is fully insured, carry out health and safety risk assessments in all activities, venues and transport, ensure that all staff and volunteers are vetted in line with child protection legislation as well as having the capacity, experience, competence and confidence to deliver programmes and genuinely support young people and the wider community. Enagh Youth Forum has extensive experience in accessing and managing a variety of funding from a range of sources including voluntary trusts and foundations as well as government bodies. There is no other forum or organisation in the Strathfoyle or Greater Enagh area that exists to provide a service for young people locally that puts young people in the lead where young people are involved in ‘Making Voice Heard and Made to Matter’. ## **Our Charitable Objectives:** Enagh Youth Forum registered with the Northern Ireland Charities Commission on the 10[th] of October 2014. In ensuring that the activities of Enagh Youth Forum provide a public benefit, all of our activities are related to one or more of the following charitable objects: The Advancement of Education: - Development of individual capacities, competences, skills and understanding - Provision of Life Skills Training - Signposting to further education and training opportunities - The promotion of environmental awareness, wildlife protection and biodiversity The Advancement of Citizenship or Community Development: - Through the provision of recreational facilities/activities - Promoting diversity by encouraging cross-cultural activities - Promote social inclusion through campaigning and lobbying for social justice The Advancement of Health or the Saving of Lives: - Through the provision of a listening ear, advocacy and signposting service - Promoting health awareness and positive mental health - Building self-esteem and confidence through the promotion of active lifestyles ## **Purpose One:** Enagh Youth Forum is a voluntary non-profit making organisation established for the benefit of children and young people between the ages of 10 and 25 without distinction of ability, sex, race, political, religious or other opinion who reside within the Enagh Ward which sits within the rural Faughan District Electoral Area within Derry City & Strabane District Council. ## **Purpose Two:** Enagh Youth Forum exists to educate, support and promote the well being of such children and young people by developing their physical, mental and spiritual capacities so that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society and that their quality of life may be improved. The direct benefits which flow from these purposes include the provision of all services to all children and young people aged between 10 and 25 years resident in the Enagh Ward within the Derry City & Strabane District Council area for the purpose of benefiting those children and young people. Benefits include increased educational attainment, life skills and abilities such as increased confidence and self esteem; opportunities for work experience; opportunities to develop citizenship skills; skills in campaigning & lobbying; and experience in celebrating difference and diversity. Benefits also include the promotion of healthier life styles; crisis intervention, referral and ongoing support. ## **Current Staffing Arrangements (As of 31[st] March 2025):** ## **1. National Lottery Community Funded ‘YouthLed Project’:** We employed a full time ‘Project Manager’ for the new YouthLinks Project. This post is secure until 31[st] March 2026 and is funded and supported by The National Lottery Community Fund through the ‘Empowering Young People’ Programme. We also currently employ a full time ‘Finance & Administration Officer’ for the YouthLinks Project. This post is secure until 31[st] March 2026 and is funded and supported by The National Lottery Community Fund through the ‘Empowering Young People’ Programme. We also currently employ two part time youth support workers until 31[st] March 2026. These posts are funded and supported by The National Lottery Community Fund through the ‘Empowering Young People’ Programme. ## **2. NIHE (Sustaining Tenancies & SPOD Projects):** We currently employ a part time ‘Administrative Assistant’. This post is for 8 hours per week and is funded by the ‘Small Pockets of Deprivation Programme’ which is managed and administrated by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on behalf of DFC. This post is funded to 31[st] March 2025. ## **3. Volunteers:** In furtherance of the above we currently have two part time Youth Support Worker (volunteers) helping to co-facilitate group work programmes and activities with young people and a part time welfare rights and benefit advice worker (volunteer), who do an excellent job and greatly assist us with ‘service delivery’. We would be lost without the support of our volunteers and thank them for their continued commitment to Enagh Youth Forum. We also have a number of volunteers who assist with planning and supervising community events and assist with the deliver of our summer program. ## **Next Steps:** Continue to deliver the YouthLinks Project with local young people aged 10-24 years old. Continue to contribute to local youth and community development processes in the Strathfoyle area. Carry out up to date youth and community audit to inform funding applications to sustain Enagh Youth Forum services moving forward. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Who We Help:
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Enagh Youth Forum operates an ‘Open Door’ policy which means that all residents and young people can benefit from our services and facilities. We always strive to be inclusive and accessible to everyone. We are working to embed a child rights approach into our youth work practice and all staff have completed Child Friendly City training on the UNCRC child rights. At Enagh Youth Forum we are non-judgemental and have a genuine regard for all young people. In furtherance of this, EYF reaches out to young people through our outreach extended provision at weekends during key time of the year including during the summer holidays and at Halloween meeting young people when and where they are at. ## **Our Model of Engagement & Strategy:** Youth work can be defined generally as the process of creating an environment where young people can engage in informal activities of a recreational, social, and/or educational nature. Governmental or statutory definitions tend to emphasise planned programmes; top down interventions; personal and social development of young people; and all of this linked to and complimenting their formal education. Others usually from the community sector, seek to get away from seeing youth work primarily in terms of the development of young people and link its theory and practice to community development. Hence they emphasise a definition of youth work which aims to engage with society and to bring about social change in a society which is marked by class and other divisions; inequality and social injustice. Only by contextualising youth work in society can youth work attempt to achieve real youth participation, education, liberation and empowerment. If ‘informal education’ is seen as the core activity of youth work, different approaches to achieving it are taken by practitioners. The main division is between centre-based youth work and detached youth work. The former is carried out in dedicated premises, which may include facilities such as drop-in coffee bars, advice centres and sports facilities. The onus is on the young people coming to the centre. The “latter” targets vulnerable young people (or hard to reach) young people on their own territory (e.g. streets, cafes, parks and pubs), at times which are appropriate to them. The interaction begins on the young people’s terms, their values, attitudes, issues and ambitions. It is concerned with their personal and social development and also with the divisions, inequalities and injustices in society. Enagh Youth Forum (EYF), has followed the detached model with its own distinctive EYF take on it. It is described as “Walking in the shadow of young people” in which the young people take the lead and are supported by youth workers. They work together in the pursuit of a number of wide ranging objectives that ultimately focus on promoting well-being in young people. Enagh Youth Forum’s four key ‘Focuses’ are: 1. To Promote Social Well-being for Young People & the Local Community 2. To Promote Economic Well-Being for Young People & the Local Community 3. To Promote Environmental Well-Being for Young People & the Local Community 4. To Campaign & Lobby for Improved Services These key ‘Focuses’ link well with the local Council’s ‘Faughan Community Plan’; Strathfoyle Village Community Plan and the Government’s wider plans in pursuing a ‘Well-Being’ strategy. However EYF’s co-operative and critical approach is reminiscent of the work of Paulo Freire. He rejected the ‘banking’ model of education where the student is treated as an empty vessel to be filled with knowledge like a piggy bank. He argues for the educational process to treat the learner as a Co-Creator of knowledge. In an unequal society the oppressed must regain their sense of humanity and worth in order to overturn their condition. No education that is truly liberating can remain distant from the oppressed by treating them as unfortunates and by presenting for their emulation models of success from among the oppressors. The oppressed must define their own examples in their struggle for liberation and empowerment and develop a critical consciousness in order to recognise the oppressor’s ‘culture of silence’ is designed to instil a negative, silenced and suppressed selfimage in the oppressed. It is not surprising then that one of the techniques used by EYF is the Theatre of the Oppressed which was developed by Augusto Boal in South America as a tool for raising the consciousness of the marginalised about injustice, equality and human rights. Boal acknowledged Friere as the major influence on his ideology and methodology. Significantly the UK’s National Training Organisation for community development, community workers, youth workers and adult educators (established 2002) was named PAULO in recognition of Paulo Freire. PAULO is part of the Lifelong Learning UK Sector Skills Council. Enagh Youth Forum’s Model Of Youth Engagement has been greatly challenged throughout the five year YouthLed Project and the Covid19 pandemic and will be re-visited and further developed and refined over the life of the YouthLinks Project, which seeks to empower local young people. _**(Healy/Logue 2020)**_ ## **Focus One – Promoting Social Well-Being In Young People** ## **Genuine Youth Support Service!** Through our National Lottery Community Funded YouthLinks Project which launched in April 2023, Enagh Youth Forum continue to provide a genuine youth support service and listening ear for young people. EYF puts young people first and promotes active citizenship, pride of place and young people progress in EYF through the co-production of their own knowledge. This is a self-help forum where young people make informed choices and can be signposted and referred to other agencies when the appropriate service is not delivered locally. We are looking forward to continuing the roll out of the Faughan Youth Bank initiative in 2025. ## **Advocacy!** EYF support young people and local residents when in contact with many of the statutory agencies including Social Services, Probation Board NI, Youth Justice Agency, Social Security Agency and The Northern Ireland Housing Executive and others. Within this reporting period 1 young person have successfully completed ‘Community Service Order’ with EYF. ## **Youth Zone Drop In!** Monday, Wednesday & Friday Evenings at EYF, Parkmore Drive, Strathfoyle. . ## **Helping To Spread The Message That Its Ok Not To Be Ok!** - Mood Matters Programme - Listening Ear Service - Advocacy/Signposting - Responding to ASB ‘Consequences’ - Suicide Awareness - Group Work & Peer Mentoring ## **Ensuring Community Safety!** - Working With Young People When & Where They Are At - Outreach Street Work - Helping To Combat Anti-Social Behaviour (Supported By Local PCSP) - Represented On The Strathfoyle/Maydown Community Safety Forum ## **Promoting Good Relations!** ## **Building Confidence & Self – Esteem!** ## **Managing Transition** ## **YouthLinks Project Social Activities/Events Planned By Local Young People This Year** Enagh Youth Forum’s new three year YouthLinks Project launched in April / May 2023. As of 31[st] March 2025, we currently had **161** young people registered with the YouthLinks Project aged 10-25. **55-65** young people attended on a weekly basis. **14** young people were active in taking responsibility for the project. It is important to note and commend the work carried out by the management committee members over these past number of months who have been instrumental in assisting with programme planning for the ‘YouthLinks’ project, as well as assisting EYF staff with ongoing fundraising efforts. From April 2023 – March 2026, EYF will utilise this grant support from The National Lottery Community Fund to: - Help prepare young people for education, training and work - Help improve relationships - Get young people more involved in the local community - Help improve young peoples health and well-being - Delivering on ideas from the young people, activities include skills building and training; a range of environmental awareness programmes; outdoor pursuits, and other community initiatives designed to help combat the worst effects of rural isolation and social exclusion Over these past twelve months (Year 2 YouthLinks Project) young people have been involved in planning and participated in a number of projects, activities and events. These have included planning and organising: - Youth Drop In Sessions & Social Action Projects - EYF Junior Youth Committee - Health & Fitness Short Courses - Mood Matters Program - Good Relations Program - Go Paddle Canoeing Short Course - Fishing - Boxing Classes - Youth Safety Projects focusing on ‘RESPECT’ - Football Development Sessions - Emergency First Aid In The Workplace for Staff & Volunteers - Litter Picks Social Action Projects at Culmore Point - Litter Pick at Enagh Lough for World Environment Day - EYF Nominated by DCSDC for All Ireland ‘Pride of Place’ Awards - Faughan Youth Bank Training - Jet Centre Activity Day for EYF Juniors - Skin Care & Make Up Short Course - Road Safety ‘Slow Down’ Speed Awareness Campaign - Annual Strathfoyle ‘One Big Clean Up Week’ - Annual Strathfoyle Community Festival Week - Annual Enagh Lough Water Activities Fun Day - Comprehensive Youth Summer Intervention Project - Family Day Trips (Young Peoples Support Networks) - Annual EYF Community Fun Day held on 15[th] August - ***Please see Logue Associates Independent YouthLinks Final Interim Evaluation for a full and comprehensive breakdown of EYF’s YouthLinks Project (Year Two)** **Successful ‘Give & Take’ Summer intervention Programme** The Give & Take July & August Summer Intervention’ programme was planned by local young people and supported by the EYF seniors group made up of young people aged 1824 who helped supervise a number of activities and events. 58+ young people participated in a wide range of groupwork activities, social action projects, day trips and activities, outdoor pursuits and overnight residential. This programme was a success and helped EYF staff and volunteers re-connect with local young people through the registration process and launch of the new YouthLinks project. 1. Social Action Projects included the delivery of 10 local community clean ups, graffiti removal and tree / shrub planting 2. The Inter-Generational Annual ‘Window Box Challenge’ was well attended by local young people and senior citizens 3. Day trips and activities included Escaramouche Lazer Tag, Canoeing/Kayaking, Coasteering, Inflatables Water Park & Aerial Challenge 4. The August 15[th] Community Fun Day at Parkmore Drive was attended by 220+ local families and was a very successful community event that brought people together to have fun. The 2024 ‘Give & Take’ Summer Intervention Project was funded and supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, The Education Authority and Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Summer 2024 Highlights 1165 ## **Improving Community Safety** Enagh Youth Forum continues to promote community safety in the local area with the aim of making Strathfoyle a safer, shared community. We continue to be represented at the bimonthly meetings of the Strathfoyle & Maydown Community Safety Forum. Some Issues That Have Presented In 2024/25 involving what is a minority of young people have Included: - Fires / Arson & Attacks on Translink Buses - Under Age Drinking In and Around old Fort and Football Pitch Car Park Areas - Hate Crime: The PSNI noted an increase in the number of reported incidents where individuals and families of colour and backgrounds were targeted through windows being broken, name calling and young people harassing them. - Trespassing in local construction sites - Vandalism / Unsightly & Offensive Graffiti In attempting to respond to these challenges, Enagh Youth Forum works closely with all members of the Strathfoyle and Maydown Community Safety Forum. DCSDC environmental health team was contacted to help request that land owners made derelict buildings safe. In tackling the issues in and around the estate we work closely with the NIHE Patch Manager, Rural Wardens, Translink and all local youth and community groups and local elected representatives. Over the past twelve months, Enagh Youth Forum has also continued to attend the bimonthly meeting of the Strathfoyle and Maydown Community Safety Forum and we have worked positively with a range of funders including The Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Derry Strabane PCSP and Derry City & Strabane District Council on a range of community safety issues as and when issues arise as well as engaging in a number of preventative projects. This has helped with a partnership approach in attempting to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area and has improved community cohesion. We continue to promote and encourage everyone to make use of the ‘Remove All Prescription and Illegal Drugs’ (RAPID) bin located in the local Spar Shop in Temple Road in Strathfoyle. EYF continue to report a wide range of community safety issues to the appropriate agencies and authorities including but not limited to: - Street Lighting Repairs - Pot Hole Repairs - Roads and Footpath Maintenance - NI Railways Fence Repairs - Gulley Maintenance - Grass Cutting - Graffiti Removal We are looking forward to the 7th annual estate inspection which is scheduled to take place during April 2025 with all local groups and a range of statutory agencies taking part. The estate inspection is facilitated by Supporting Communities NI. We are also continuing to work in partnership with The Northern Ireland Housing Executive to try and advance plans for a Community Growing Space at Crannog Park. **Community Safety Items 2024/25 - Various – Reported To Relevant Agencies** ## **Focus Two – Promoting Economic Well-Being In Young People Careers & Employment** Enagh Youth Forum offer one to one advice in an environment conducive to the individuals needs assisting with providing guidance, support, interview preparation skills, CV Building and promoting pathways to employability. This service also works in partnership with other training providers including Derry Youth & Community Workshop, The North West Volunteer Centre, The Princes Trust, Reach Across, North West Regional College, Youth Action and Others. In this reporting period a total of 61 young people benefited from careers and employment support. A number of young people also successfully secured accreditations for completing short courses. Support carried out during this reporting period: - Completed Application Forms - **19** - Created CV’s - **36** - Interview Skills Attendees - **12** - Completed UCAS university application forms - • Health, Nutrition & Fitness Short Course - **11** **12** - Volunteering Skills Short Course - **07** - Intro to Skin Care & Make Up - **24 10** - Child Protection Awareness - **12** - Autism Awareness Training - **8** - Emergency First Aid - Adventure Bush Craft **20** - **14** - Introduction to Makaton - **8** - Intro to Boxing - Save Your Mate (Junior First Aid) - **18** ## Total: **72 (Individual Beneficiaries)** ## **Reference Requests** In this reporting period a total of **21** young people were provided with references to assist with employment application ## **Certificate Presentation & Celebration Event** A certificate presentation event took place on 4[th] December 2024 at The Best Western Whitehorse Hotel. Young people received their certificates in relation to courses completed throughout this twelve month reporting period. Big thanks to all local elected representatives who attended and supported the event alongside training facilitators and providers. **– Highlights From EYF Annual Certificate Presentation Event 4[th ] Dec 2024** ## **Focus Three – Promoting Environmental Well-Being In Young People** Over the past twelve months Enagh Youth Forum’s commitment to helping promote environmental well-being young people has continued. To this end we have successfully carried out a number of social action projects including a number of community clean up’s, graffiti removal projects and tree planting and window box project. Young people have attended a range of educational outdoor visits to local woodlands and environmental projects in the local North West area. ## **Another Successful ‘Strathfoyle One Big Clean Up’ 2024** This years Strathfoyle ‘One Big Clean Up Week 2024’ took place between July and August 2024 and was incorporated into our ‘Give & Take’ Summer Intervention Programme. Local young people successful planned a number of community litter picks in and around the local area and were supported by staff and volunteers from Enagh Youth Forum. These efforts continue to be supported by the NIHE & Live Here, Love Here, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. During the summer months a number of local young people and volunteers helped to remove all offensive graffiti from in and around the Strathfoyle estate. The NIHE Grounds Maintenance Team upgraded a number of new raised flower beds in and around the estate. Big thanks to the Derry City & Strabane District Council and the NIHE also once again contributed to the success of the weeks events and were active on the ground carrying out grounds maintenance repairs in Strathfoyle. DCSDC have nominated EYF into the IBP Pride of Place Awards 2025! We are looking forward to continuing making environmental improvements to the local area with young people taking the lead on social action projects! **A Snap Shot Of Some Of EYF’s Recent Environmental Projects:** BIG, CLEAN UP WEEK 20241 Monday 24th June- Saturday 29th June Enagh Youth Fowm wMhSrathtyeCommurty A550ciatiunareplBnniwtoT& are '5trathfryfv0ne￿9Cleoll UpWe*' Ifh ts Gr4r4 ToBeA&K￿$s. WeNeed YOUT Hel￿￿.We NeedLDtal THING Durlry CleJn Upweek Opan&TW. **Good News! Stradowen Drive Greenway was Officially Opened (December 2024)** The Stradowen Greenway link is really good news. It has expanded the local greenway network which will help promote active travel, connect communities and improve health outcomes for the local area and for the North West area more generally. ## **Community Planning** Enagh Youth Forum continue to be represented in relation to local community planning processes. This includes representation on the following committees/groups: - Faughan Strategic Growth Partnership Board - Strathfoyle Greenway Project Steering Group - Strtahfoyle / Maydown Community Safety Forum - Our NIHE ‘Sustaining Tenancies Project’ ‘Strathfoyle Cleaner, Greener & Safer enabled us to carry out extensive community consultation which resulted in the publication of a new five year plan for the Strathfoyle Village. The New Village Plan was launched during November 2023 and will help guide local groups as we campaign and lobby for improved community infrastructure of the next few years. The plan will be reviewed on a quarterly basis and progress relating to actions communicated to local residents. ## **Partnership Working:** Enagh Youth Forum believes in supporting young people in becoming active citizens within their own community. In working towards this goal we realise that this can only be achieved through a holistic partnership approach. Throughout the past twelve months we have developed positive working relationships with a range of organisations listed below, all of which have made a positive contribution to supporting the work of our organisation and the young people who benefit. Locally within Strathfoyle and Maydown partnership working has greatly improved between all local youth and community groups all who are working towards a common goal of purpose of helping to improve the quality of life for those young people and residents of Strathfoyle as well as working to help combat the worst effects of rural isolation and social exclusion. All local groups continue to meet on a bi-monthly basis to further advance the newly established ‘Enagh Gransha Master Planning’ meetings led on by DCSDC; and EYF also continue to attend the Strathfoyle and Maydown Community Safety Forum meetings and are working jointly to tackle a range of community safety issues. _**List Of Working Partnerships**_ Adventure Sports North West Community Foundation for Northern Ireland Bytes Project Conservation Volunteers NI Derry Youth & Community Workshop Dungiven Dry Arch Centre Enagh Seniors Group Foyle Drug & Alcohol Forum Friends of the Earth Faughan Valley Rural Landscape Partnership Libraries NI Maydown Community Association North West Community Network North West Volunteer Centre Reach Across Rural Area Partnership In Derry Rural Community Network Rural Faughan Strategic Growth Partnership Rutledge Strathfoyle Community Association Strathfoyle Womens Activity Group Tiny Tots Community Play Group The Playhouse Derry The Northern Ireland Youth Forum The Youth Work Alliance ## **Programme Review** Throughout the past twelve months Enagh Youth Forum has provided a wide and diverse range of essential community support to local young people, families and the wider community of Strathfoyle / Enagh. Thanks to funding secured from The National Lottery Community Fund we were able to continue with a focused delivery of YouthLinks project outcomes. Young people achieved qualifications and accreditations and also benefited from and participated in a range of issue based group work facilitation and workshops including: ‘Youth Safety’, Good Relations project, Pony Care, Health & Fitness programs, Makaton, Bush Craft, exploring ASB and consequences, employability and transferrable life skills. We also successfully delivered a wide range of interventions covering suicide awareness, relationship and sex education, understanding myself and others, mood matters and promoting positive emotional health through group work and a range of projects. We now have 98 young people signed up as registered members of the new three year YouthLinks Project! However we are always looking at ways to reach, engage and include new members into the youth forum as well as working to retain existing members and service users. We try to work out what matters most to the young people and believe strongly in meeting the need presented in front of us, making honest connections and standing for the possibility of making everybody’s voice matter. In this reporting period, we have worked positively with local young people, their families and support networks to launch the YouthLinks Project which is all about connecting young people with services and social outlets as well as building links with other young people who reside in neighbouring rural communities and right across the Derry and Strabane District. It is important that we again acknowledge The National Community Fund who have approved funding for Enagh Youth Forums YouthLinks project up until March 2026. We would also like to acknowledge the support and guidance provided to us by our funding officer and all of the NLCF team. ## **Looking Forward** As Year One of our three year YouthLed Project comes to an end, Enagh Youth Forum finds ourselves excited and energised for the coming year ahead hoping to continue to making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people. To this end local young people have and are continuing to develop their model of practice and are now actively promoting it amongst policy makers and other voluntary sector youth groups across the city and district and beyond. A major focus for us over these past twelve months has been on embed a child / youth rights approach into our youth and community development practice. We are also excited about young people taking the lead in campaigning, social action projects, exploring local democracy and rolling out the Faughan Youth Bank initiative so that more young people can benefit right across he rural Faughan DEA. ## **Feedback From our Members!** ## **Comments & Feedback:** "I joined Enagh Youth Forum in summer 2024. I enjoyed taking part in all the fun day trips and outdoor activities and I have signed up to take part in the new Diversity program. **James aged 12 Years Old** "I am a member of the EYF Youth Committee. We help plan and organise activities and events for young people and our peers. We have also helped raise awareness on dog fouling and speed awareness in Strathfoyle. This year we helped plan and book the activities for the EYF summer program.” **Ella aged 14 Years Old** "I enjoyed the boxing program. It got us fit and healthy and kept us out of bother.” **Jamie aged 16** "My son Christoper is 11 years old. He has really enjoyed taking part in all the summer activities with EYF including the ziplines at Oakfire and lazer tag at Escaramouche. Christopher also completed the mood matters course and Bushcraft and learned new skills and enjoys the outdoors. **David Ogilby (Parent)** “Thank you EYF for everything and especially for helping to raise awareness of cars speeding on the main Temple Road and for campaigning for improved road safety measures.” ## **Norman (Local Resident)** "The Window Box Challenge Event was brilliant and well done for all your efforts being recognised by the local council and best of luck for the pride of place awards. Yous really do deserve recognition for all your hard work improving the local area throughout the year. ## **Dolores – Local Resident** "I attend EYF for both group work and one to one support which has helped me manage my moods and make new friends.” **Darragh aged 12** “I live in Maydown but EYF has been really beneficial for all of my peer group and we got to organise a fun day in the park during the summer .” **Laura aged 15** ## **Staff Training & Development** It is very important for staff and volunteers to continually up skill so that they can offer participants a good service and reach organisation expectations. Below is a list of training attended during the 2024/2025 reporting period. - Child Protection Safeguarding Training Course - Fire Safety & Awareness at Work - Bleed Control First Aid - Autism Awareness Training - Deliverying RSE ‘Relationship & Sex Education’ programmes to young people. - • UNCRC Child Rights Training ## **Future Training Requirements** The emphasis for this Year Two of this new YouthLinks Project was for all project staff to attend refresher training in relation to Child Protection & First Aid. All staff attended UNCRC Child Rights training which was invaluable and key to our aim of embedding a childs rights approach into our youth and community development practice. This is something that will be revisited later in 2025 and we hope to register more volunteers who will also benefit from this training. Staff and volunteers also successfully completed Autism Awareness Training. A critical theme within our ‘YouthLinks’ project includes a ‘Faughan Youth Bank Initiative’. Skills development relating to ‘Consensual Grant Making’ has been successfully delivered by Youth Action and young people have been active in the consensual grant making process assessing applications and distributing small grants to young people who reside in neighbouring rural communities located within the Rural Faughan DEA . This is important work and has already enabled strong links to be formed between young people in Faughan. Staff and volunteers have also stated that they would like to attend further training in the areas of ‘Young People, Mental Health & Social Media’, ‘Carbon Literacy’, ‘Emotional Regulation, ‘Diversity & Inclusion’, ‘Early Intervention’, Child Protection Awareness, Fire Safety and others as and when required. Staff have also expressed an interest in receiving further training on Child Rights and supporting young peoples emotional health and wellbeing. Training has also been requested in relation to public speaking and Digital Media/Marketing. ## **Appendices:** **Appendix 1:** **- Charity Accounts for the period 1[st] April 2024 31[st] March 2025** **Appendix 2:** **Logue Associates: Interim Evaluation Report for – YouthLinks Project Year Two** **Appendix 3:** **National Lottery Community Fund ‘Evaluation / Progress Report’ Appendix 4: NIHE SPOD Funders Reports – – Enagh Youth Forum Photographs Various**