LYCS Annual Repport 2006 4sept

Lourdes Youth & Community Services Ltd
Awareness Power Change Participation Community Country Development
Annual Report
2006
Telephone: 01 836 3416 E-mail: info@lycs.ie Website: www.lycs.ie

Annual Report
2006
Address:
Lr Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1
Telephone:
01 836 3416 and 836 5984
Fax:
01 855 6445
E-mail:
info@lycs.ie
Website:
www.lycs.ie
Lourdes Yo u t h & Community Services Ltd
Acknowledgements
We would like to take this opportunity to thank in particular the funding
agencies for their support over the past year including:
Dept. of Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs –

Community Development Programme
FÁS
City of Dublin Youth Services Board
POBAL:
• Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme
• Dormant Accounts Fund
City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee (CDVEC)
Dept of Foreign Affairs: Irish Aid
Dublin City Council
Irish Youth Foundation
Dublin Docklands Development Authority
Our Philosophy is:
To encourage people to be aware of their own power and how

they can use it to effect change, and that every person has the
right to participate fully in their own, their community’s, and their
country’s development.
2
Annual Report 20 06
Contents
Page
1. Overview 4
Website 5
ICON Conference 5
Profile of LYCS 5
3. LYCS’s Programmes of Activity
Community Training Centre 7
Adult Education Programme 13
Crèche 20
Youth Programme 25
4. Administration & Security 31
5. Appendices 31
3
Overview of 2006
This was yet another action packed year for all 300 participants of Lourdes
Youth & Community Services Ltd (LYCS). It was a year of celebration too with
the following achievements:
The Adult Education Programme in partnership with Cairde continued to

deliver an innovative ‘Women as Leaders’ programme for over 30 local
and minority ethnic women.
Staff and CTC trainees surpassed themselves with 80% of trainees

progressing to employment or further education opportunities.
The crèche opened for longer hours and more importantly is now in a
position to offer childcare places to 33 children.
The Youth Programme continued to develop its much lauded Junior

Leadership Programme which enables young local teenagers to become
active citizens in their own community.
An exciting new development for the organisation was the completion of the
website Work on the new LYCS website began in late 2005, and the site was
finalised a year later. After the research and initial tendering stage, we received
a very attractive offer of sponsorship from Kainos, a leading Irish technology
firm. The site was formally launched by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, on December
4th 2006. The site also provides specific Development Education section, which
includes information on our Dev Ed resources, and an interactive local and
world map.
For the past year we have been in negotiation with our various funders to enable
us to source funds to build a new community centre on the site which has been
made available to LYCS; 40/41 Lr. Sean MacDermott Street. This has been a long
road and one which we hope will reap rewards during 2007. The new facility will
be a centre of social capital community service and active citizenship and it is a
resource that the local community has been promised for many years.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank staff for their contribution, energy,
commitment and continuous sense of humour, which they our staff and
volunteers bring to work every day – without which LYCS would not be the hive
of activity that it is. Thanks are also due to the members of the the Management
Board for their ongoing voluntary commitment, which is very much appreciated.
We hope you enjoy reading this report and do contact us if you would like any
more information about LYCS.
Sarah Kelleher, John Farrelly

Director. Chairperson, Management Board.
4
Annual Report 20 06
Website
Work on the new LYCS website began in late 2005, and the
final site was completed a year later. After the research and
initial tendering stage, we received a very attractive free
sponsorship offer from Kainos, a leading Irish technology firm.
Throughout spring and summer of 2005, Kainos worked on

the design brief, and the content was painstakingly gathered
within LYCS. In early Autumn, the website was launched.
A number of staff were trained in updating and site

maintenance on a training day in Belfast, and the site was
finally launched by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, on December
4th 2006, with the help of the technical experts from Kainos.
The site is regularly updated by LYCS staff, with all the latest
news, events and photos from LYCS’ four programmes. The
site also provides a specific Development Education section,
which includes information on our Dev Ed resources, and an
interactive local and world map.
Throughout 2007, more staff and participants will be trained in how to update the
site, to ensure it stays fresh and relevant into the future.
ICON Conference
LYCS attended the ICON conference in March 2006 which was held in Kilkenny
over three days. Over 300 local residents and community activists attended.
Several LYCS staff were actively involved in facilitating and attending workshops
including: Childcare Workshop in partnership with the YPAR 0 – 5 years working
group; Intercultural Workshop and the Education Workshop. Other Staff attended
workshops on drugs.
LYCS also had a stand at the conference which allowed community

representatives and local people to access us easily and to discuss issues or
concerns outside of workshops, in a more informal setting. The workshops
provided a formal opportunity to get a sense of the needs and issues of the
community, the outcomes of which are recorded in the ICON conference report.
Each working group in YPAR is now addressing the issues that arose from the
conference, all of which are attended by LYCS youth programme staff.
Profile of LYCS
Lourdes Youth & Community Services (LYCS) was established in 1984, as part of
a broad based community development movement, which emerged in Dublin’s
north inner city in the late 70’s and 80’s. This community mobilisation was an
5
attempt to combat the relentless economic and social decline being experienced
in inner city Dublin. Families living in the area experience severe levels of
economic and social disadvantage. Unemployment levels are high and the
mis-use of drugs is widespread.
LYCS is an integrated community based education, training, recreation and

development project which is concerned with giving participants the oppor-
tunity to become involved in their own development and the development of their
community. The organisation is locally based and participatory. Personal
development is seen as inextricably linked to the development of local
community resources.
To address the diverse needs of the local community LYCS operates four
programmes:
Community Training Centre (CTC)

Forty Early School Leavers have the opportunity to gain certified training
in FETAC Foundation & Levels 3, 4 and 5 and undertake the Junior Cert
in a range of modules.
Adult Education Programme

Provides informal training and education for over 100 women and men
each week, all of whom have little or no history of formal education.
Crèche
Full-time crèche provides 33 places for children from 1–5 years each
day. Many of the parents of the children who use the crèche are drawn
from all four programmes within LYCS and live locally.
Youth Programme
The youth programme offers afternoon, evenings and weekend
programmes for young people aged 10–21 plus regular trips outside of
Dublin.
LYCS is based in three separate buildings all within the schoolyard of Rutland
Street National School.
The School-on-Stilts accommodates the Youth Programme and the CTC.
The Craft Centre at the base of Rutland Street School accommodates

the Adult Education Programme and the CTC Skill Centre adjoining it
accommodates the Woodwork and Painting & Decorating work of the CTC.
The Crèche is based in one wing of Rutland Street School.
6
Annual Report 20 06
Community Training Centre

Funders:
FAS CDVEC.
40 full-time learners (age 16–21) participate in

certified training / education each week and
gain experience while on placement in a
variety of different work environments
CTC Staff
Tom O’Reilly: CTC Manager
Maureen Downey: Job placement & Personal

development Instructor
Anthony Furlong: Pottery and Arts Instructor

(Part time)
Carol Higgins: Childcare Instructor (Part time)
Angela McGreer: IT Instructor (Part time)
Jim McLoughlin: Woodwork & Painting &

Decorating Instructor
Frances McCole: CDVEC Literacy Teacher
Melanie Billings: CDVEC Psychological Services
Mary Ward: Housekeeper
Paula Gallagher: Housekeeper
Summary:
LYCS Community Training Centre (CTC) is located in the School-on-Stilts at the
back of the Rutland Street Primary School.
The CTC is funded by FAS and offers a wide variety of training to suit the needs
of the young people who attend. All learners are between the age of 16 and 21.
The aim of the programme is to offer young early school leavers the opportunity
to access training and education, assist them attain certification and to facilitate
their progression onto further education and/or employment.
By providing quality training, it is hoped that the CTC’s learners will either
continue to do specific skills training, or continue in further education or compete
for jobs.
7
Overview of the Year

Highlights & Achievements in 2006
Over the past year LYCS CTC experienced many positive changes, which have had
a direct impact on the service being delivered for learners. A new programme
timetable, the introduction of key-working, the development of Individual
Learning Plans and Case Conferencing have all served to improve the quality of
service and training available to the individual trainee and to the learners
collectively.
Staff changes
This year has seen some staff changes within the CTC. The new manager,
Marie Keegan was appointed in July 2005 and moved on early in 2006. Jenny
Place the part-time Drama Instructor moved on in December 2006. Tom O’Reilly
joined the CTC as Manager in April 06.
New timetable & curriculum development
The development of the new timetable has allowed for shorter training sessions,
which meets the needs of our current age profile of trainee. All learners have an
opportunity to access all courses over a two year period. Should a trainee decide
to withdraw from one particular aspect of the programme they can now switch
more easily onto a course which meets their needs. The new timetable has also
provided the opportunity to offer learners a more individualised training
programme, which allows them to change course / module if appropriate.
New Building
The CTC along with the other LYCS programmes is looking forward to moving out
of the current premises which no longer meets its needs. We hope to create a
more learner friendly environment for learners and staff alike. In the meantime
new furniture in our existing kitchen brightened up the area and most training
rooms got repainted and fitted with new blinds.
FETAC Level 4
During the annual review in June 2006 a need to try to increase the levels at which
we deliver courses as identified. The CTC began delivering FETAC level 4 courses
in September 2006. This proved to be challenging, as it required a lot of planning
and preparation, however learners are progressing well on the programmes
and are on target to successfully completing the programme.
8
Annual Report 20 06
New Learners
During 2006 we saw an increase in the throughput in the centre. Over 40 young
people left the centre during the year. 80% of learners who stayed for more
than one month progressed to employment, with a small percentage going into
further education. There are still more female than male learners, however
because of the introduction of the ECDL course and a new Woodwork time-
table, more male learners are attending.
Alternative Programme of Activities
Each summer the CTC embarks on an alternative

programme of activity for all learners. This offers learners
an opportunity to participate on new programmes and
learn new skills. In 2006 activities included: Wood
burning, T-shirt painting, art, games, window box
gardening, trips outside of the centre.
Description of Client Group Being Serviced
LYCS has identified the following groups of people as requir-

ing the services offered by our CTC for the coming three years:
Early school leavers
LYCS aims to work with 16 – 21 years who can be sub-divided

into the following categories:
Induction / Foundation / Progression:
Young People who have left school without any exam.
Young people who have passed Junior Cert / Leaving Cert

Applied and Leaving Cert albeit with poor grades and
who still require support to access employment or further
education.
Young people with special educational needs / at risk.
Local Trends Impacting on the CTC
Young Men
As LYCS CTC has had a majority of women accessing training in recent

years, we have successfully recruited a significant number of young men
onto the programme during the past 2 years.
9
Single Parents
There has been a huge demand for training from local single parents who
are also early school leavers. This is, in part, due to the fact that LYCS
operates a crèche which provides 28 affordable childcare places. Statistics
show that 59% of parents in the immediate local area are lone parents.
There has been a large number of enquiries from young women who are
aged between 21 and 25 who have expressed a need to return to training
and education. This cohort of young adults are not in a position to access
mainline FAS training programmes due to poor literacy, low self esteem
and confidence.
Socially disadvantaged
The majority of learners are drawn from the five local secondary schools,
four of which are designated as ‘disadvantaged’. There is a high level
of social disadvantage in the local community.
Foreign Nationals
LYCS has already recruited a number of foreign nationals onto the CTC
programme which is an indication of the increasing numbers moving into
the local area. Equality training for staff will be provided in 2007.
LYCS – CTC Statistics Learner Placement

for 2006 Destinations – 2006
Age Profile of learners Number
who joining the CTC in 2006 of learners
Age Number Youthreach / Other CTC’s 9

Range of learners
Civil Service 1
16 – 17 35 Retail 4
Apprenticeships 5
18 – 19 10
CE 1
20 – 21 3 Banking 1
Returned to school 3
Total 48
Unplaced 24
(see table below)
Total 48
10
Annual Report 20 06
Learners who left the centre without a placement – 2006

Note:During the past 12 months 50 learners have left the
programme. 14 of these learners were registered
on the programme for 1 month or less.
Number
of learners
Poor attendance 18
Personal / family reasons 3
Pregnancy 3
Unknown 2
Total 26
General Statistics for the NEIC

Population Changes NEIC 1991–20021
1991 2002
0–14 years 4,883 4,577

(22.9%) (14.9%)
15–24 years 3,842 6,820

(18.0%) (22.2%)
25–44 years 5,806 12,276

(27.3%) (40.0%)
45–64 years 3,779 4,626

(17.6%) (15.1%)
64+ years 2,978 2,421

(14.0%) (7.9%)
Total NEIC 21,288 30,720

(100%) (100%)
Source: Census of Population, Small Area Statistics.
The number of young people in the 15–24 years age category has increased
significantly since 1991, from 3,842 to 6,820, and the number of people in the
25 – 44 year category has more than doubled in this same period.
11
Table 4.3: Highest Level of Education 2002

Base: All persons 15 years and over whose fulltime education has ceased
District Primary Second Second Third Not

Electoral (incl. no Level – Level – Level Stated
Division formal Incomplete Complete
education)
Ballybough 692 440 402 366 292

A (31.6%) (20.1%) (18.3%) (16.7%) (13.3%)
Ballybough 504 305 469 599 271

B (23.5%) (14.2%) (21.8%) (27.9%) (12.6%)
Mountjoy 409 312 272 371 675

A (20.1%) (15.3%) (13.3%) (18.2%) (33.1%)
Mountjoy 311 232 320 535 464

B (16.7%) (12.5%) (17.2%) (28.7%) (24.9%)
North City 174 183 498 1405 640

(6%) (6.3%) (17.2%) (48.5%) (22.0%)
North Dock 224 176 218 269 60

A (23.7%) (18.6%) (23.0%) (28.4%) (6.3%)
North Dock 762 512 522 572 276

B (28.8%) (19.4%) (19.7%) (21.6%) (10.4%)
North Dock 477 279 337 867 301

C (21.1%) (12.3%) (14.9%) (38.3%) (13.3%)
Rotunda 358 384 482 805 633

A (13.5%) (14.4%) (18.1%) (30.2%) (23.8%)
Rotunda 173 148 206 447 200

B (14.7%) (12.6%) (17.6%) (38.1%) (17.0%)
Total NEIC 4084 2971 3726 6236 3812

(% of Total) (19.6%) (14.3%) (17.9%) (29.9%) (18.3%)
Dublin 132,593 136,170 203,823 238,175 50,316

(17.4%) (17.9%) (26.8%) (31.3%) (6.6%)
State 552,220 565,433 724,099 646,837 133,869

(% of Total) (21.1%) (21.6%) (27.6%) (24.7%) (5.1%)
12
Annual Report 20 06

Funded through: Dept Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs Community
Development Programme, Irish Aid, Dormant Accounts, VEC.
Staff:
Colette Spears Co-Ordinator
Noreen Byrne Community Integration Worker
Philip Daly Community Development Worker
Helena McNeill Development Education Worker
Riona Rochford Development Education Worker
Merlyn Cooke Housekeeper
Jenny Arkins Administrator (May – December)
Tutors
Mary McCann
Georgina Granaghan
Charlotte Murray
Paul Geraghty
Kathleen Sankey
Joan Bacon
Advisory Committee Volunteers

Adrienne Annene Sr. Mary Moynihan
Kay Boyle Larry Wheelock
Linda Hyland Michael Moore
Bernie Dunne Lorraine Deegan
Berno Arkins
Rosaleen Whyte
Larry Molloy
Molly O’Duffy
Bernadette Sproule
Marie Casey
13
Aims of the Programme

LYCS sought to consolidate and integrate the 2003 – 2006 work plan of the Adult
Education Programme (AEP) into the actions for 2006 through the following
objectives:
To continue the provision of a basic education programme including

induction and progression during 2005 – 2006 to 120 participants
To ensure understanding of the principles of community development and

building participation within the AEP
To develop a new layer of leadership in the community
To consolidate our previous development education outreach programme

locally and facilitate the integration of development education into the work
of LYCS
To consult nationally with CDPs and education organisations on the

establishment of a new service that will integrate development education
into their work.
Overview
In 2006 the Adult Education Programme had another successful year in achieving
our objectives. Between January to June we completed certified and non-certified
classes. One of these included a module previously developed by LYCS on Local
and Global Development (FETAC Level 4). Thirty-two FETAC Certificates were
achieved.
Ninety-three participants were registered in September with 62 of these people

new to LYCS.
The following is a breakdown of the profile of our participants:
AGES > Total no. 18 – 25 26 – 35 36 – 45 46 – 55 56 – 65 66 +
Women 63 8 10 12 7 12 10
Men 29 3 10 3 6 5 2
Total 98 11 20 15 13 17 12
Age left Less than 12 years old 3

school
Less than 15 27
Less than 18 24
Over 18 6
Third level 12
14
Annual Report 20 06
Courses requested in order of demand
Course Title Number Number able Notes

Requesting to facilitate
Basic Computers 32 18
Computers Fetac 4 20 18
Craft: Knitting &Crochet 19 16
Pottery 19 10
Reading and Writing 15 8

(majority
special needs)
Art 11 11
Cookery 16 8 Added
extra
course
Ready Steady Cook for men 8
ESOL 10 All
referred
Voter Education 2
Personal Effectiveness 10 10
Local and Global

Development Fetac 4 16 16
Those who were unable to access courses were either referred to other agencies
or put on a waiting list.
At a Participants Forum all present were presented the final LYCS Participants’
Charter indicating the individual rights and responsibilities. This was
accompanied by a grievance procedure. Once again participants were invited to
participate on an advisory committee to the AEP.
As part of our support to CDVEC tutors LYCS ran an induction session on the
above documents, linking between staff and participants as well as an input on
mental health from Schizophrenia Ireland.
The first half of 2006 saw a new co-ordinating style given by Helena McNeill
(Development Education Worker) who covered for maternity leave. Helena
achieved this while facilitating and supporting 16 women in the FETAC level 4
15
module on Local and Global Development alongside setting up mentoring

relationships with
local community and youth organisations on Development Education. From

May to December the AEP had the support of an administrator who helped in
setting up systems relating to participants, a resource library and databases.
Unfortunately it was a temporary funded post which was discontinued, proving a
significant loss to the adult education programme.
Throughout the year the AEP networked with other CDPs, Development
Education groups and participated in Cluster meetings led by Tosach Support
Agency.
Participants and programme

To facilitate the integration of participants into the adult education programme,
the development of progression route in their educational and personal lives
and to enable them to link with the wider community LYCS sourced funding for
a Community Integration worker in 2005. The role of Community Integration
Worker allowed for very valuable and appropriate work to happen. This work
required both simplistic and sophisticated approaches to complex issues
arising from negative life experiences. The causes and affects of these
experiences can be found through exclusion from the education, health, and
social welfare structures and this is evident in the social and economic exclusion
of people from mainstream society.
Progression
The approach used for this was one to one engagement with participants in order
to record education and employment history, and explore options for further
education and training or referrals to other services and agencies. Five people
moved into full-time employment.
Support and Mentoring

The provision of support and mentoring to local women participating in Leader-
ship training enabled the women to manage the imposing effects of external
influences e.g. family issues, childcare, health. The completion of assignments
was another positive outcome of the support and mentoring provided to the
women.
Organic process
By this we refer to being active on a daily basis, responding to needs of people
and the community as they occur. Community development work in its entirety
16
Annual Report 20 06
often requires immediate responses. These situations and responses inform the
future work, function and role of the Community Integration Worker and the
Organisation.
Ultimately the process and method used can and does empower people to
discover they can be part of the solution. Thus becoming instrumental in their
personal and community transformation. As LYCS enrol new participants
annually this work is invaluable to the participants and the Organisation.
Certificate Ceremony
At the end of courses in June an event was held in Killarney
Court where Peter Sheridan presented certificates of participa-
tion, completion and Fetac Certificates. Food was prepared for
the event by Georgina Granaghan and her Food and
Nutrition / Cookery Class.
Advisory Committee
Three meetings were held over the year, one to develop terms of reference, and
the others discussed relevant themes such as linking with other education
agencies and ideas on the meaning of literacy. This committee allows it’s local
participants to be nominated to the LYCS Board of Management after 2 years
participation.
Participation of Men
Continuing the work of 2005 a men’s group met using guitar lessons as a tool
to meet socially, hold discussions and explore issues in the community. Seven
men attended and took part in the Aontas “Men in Education” Seminar
and another group of men attended a play “Men at Work”. The guitar group
performed at the end of year certificate ceremony in June, where they received
certificates of participation. Following a facilitated meeting with the men’s
group a tin whistle class was held from October to December and a “Ready
Steady Cook for Men” course ran for six weeks resulting in an article in the
Sunday Tribune in January 2007.
Attending Conferences and Seminars

Participants were briefed before attending local, regional and national
conferences, seminars, and meetings. Meetings included regional cluster
meetings organised by Tosach, Banulacht conference, Aontas conference, and
events with Calypso Theatre Company, GP representative from Royal College of
Surgeons. Following these events participants were then de-briefed.
17
Development education
Development Education is a major part of the LYCS Adult Education Programme.
It involves exploring issues relevant to the community from local and global
perspectives. Essentially, Development Education is about linking the local to the
global, and empowering people to become active players in our increasingly
globalised world.
In 2006, key activities included the delivery of FETAC local and global
development modules as part of the Women as Leaders in Equality project: the
development of the LYCS website; establishment of a resource library and
database of materials and books related to the subject was established so that we
can provide a lending resource to the community and to the CDPs regionally.
Mentoring: Community and youth groups were approached and offered a

mentoring service regarding the use of development education as a tool in
social analysis. LYCS has entered a mentoring relationship with Swan Youth
Services. The aim of this work is to support the staff / management to integrate
development education into the work they do.
Seminar on Health Inequality

During One World Week in November a seminar was delivered in partnership
with Practice and Participation of Rights Project and Cááirde on Health Inequality
in the Community. 30 people attended. Representatives from 8 organisations
including the Health Promotion unit of the HSE were in attendance.
MULTI-Cultural Fun Day

LYCS played a key role in the organisation and promotion of the Dublin
Multi-Cultural resource centre Multi Cultural Fun Day. 390 people attended
and approximately 40 young people participated in development education
workshops involving art, west African drumming and Brazilian Capoeira.
Women as leaders is equality programme

The aim of the Women as Leaders prog-
ramme was to empower women to
become more active in their community.
This 18 month project in partnership with

Cairde saw 11 women complete FETAC
level 4 Local and Global Development
with 3 distinctions and 6 merits and 7
FETAC level 5 Community Development.
18
Annual Report 20 06
In September the ethnic minority women joined the Dublin inner city women to
work on issues relating to gender, health and education.
The participants were women who are traditionally removed from mainstream
training opportunities, who do not hold any qualification, or qualifications
recognised in Ireland. Participants included disadvantaged minority ethnic
women and disadvantaged Irish women living in Dublin’s North East Inner City.
It is my right in LYCS Adult Education Programme:
To receive a basic education
To be treated with respect
To receive a welcome every time I enter the building
To be in a safe and clean environment
To be free from bullying, slagging, intimidation and harassment
To have nobody intoxicated by drugs and alcohol in my class
To have a class that is not disturbed
To be heard
To have my privacy respected
To feel comfortable asking questions
To have a good induction to the project and building

(fire escapes and fire drills)
To make a complaint if l feel my rights are not being

respected or if l have a problem or difficulty
From the Participants’ Charter

Participants’ comments:
“The people here are so friendly and helpful. Everyone is encouraging!”
“Coming here has really improved my life. Education is very good.”
“I got here when I met people delivering leaflets on the street. I was
trying to involve myself in this community so I started here in LYCS.”
“People should come here because they can really improve their life.”
“I knew nothing about computers, computers are the future.

Now I want to get one for home. I can show my kids up now.”
“I got a job today and I don’t think I would have got it if I hadn’t
done this computer course.”
19
First Steps Childcare centre

Opening hours:
Mon –Fri: 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
33 children under 5 years access full-time,

part-time and sessional places each week
Work based training for C.E. Workers
Student placements from Colleges
Funding:
Dept. Justice, Equality & Law Reform
Dept of Family & Social Affairs
Staff:
Jackie Maguire Childcare & Youth

Programme Manager
Monica Brady Crèche Supervisor
Childcare Workers:
Wendy Byrne Michelle Costello Esther Coyle
Michelle King Marisa Kinlan Amanda Meehan
Sandra Pethke Aoife Rogers Joanna Walsh
Flora Whelan Sabrina Whelan
Housekeeper
Brigid Brennan Linda Page
20
Annual Report 20 06
Childcare Programme Aims

First Steps crèche prides itself on its child-centred approach and aims to offer
each child a safe, caring environment in which to develop physically, emotionally,
intellectually and socially. We also aim to ensure that learning takes place in a
fun environment for children and to foster strong relationships with parents.
First Steps crèche is a community crèche and works from a not for profit ethos.
Therefore, all funds that we generate go back into developing the service and
enhancing the childcare experience for all of our children. We give priority to
parent(s) resident in the local area who are in employment or education.
We work from an equality perspective, ensuring that myths regarding gender,

race, class etc are dispelled through all the activities we do. We also recognise
the diversity of our children and reflect this in reading materials, music, language
and food to name but a few.
We promote healthy eating and have a qualified Housekeeper who prepares

freshly made meals every day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all provided
each day.

In March 2006 we extended our operating hours to open full time so that we
could meet the needs of the community. The morning and afternoon sessions
were extended and the crèche opened on a Friday afternoon. In order to do this
we had to employ full and part time staff.
Statistics – number of children availing of childcare in 2006
The makeup of parents whose children accessed our service included parents
from the CTC, Adult Education Programme, local colleges, CE participants, lone
parents and those living in the local area.
No of children Boys Girls Age
57 27 30 1–5 years
To facilitate developing the team we carried out a staff development day that
aimed to build relationships among the team.
Training was also an important factor this year with staff receiving training in
Manual Handling, First Aid and Personal Development. Two staff also did a Peer
Mentoring module which gave them the confidence and skills to act as mentors.
21
Peer mentoring focuses on empowering people by facilitating them to become

solution focused and use their own skills.
Our Crèche Supervisor commenced training in the Childcare Supervisory FETAC

Level 6 course which focus’s on supervising the day to day running of a crèche
service. This course will be completed by mid 2008.
We remained actively involved in the Young People at Risk (YPAR) 0 – 5 year

Working Group and facilitated a survey on parents needs in the area. Similarly,
we also researched Early Learning Initiatives that focus on dramatically
improving services to children / their families and reviewing the way agencies
work. Crèche staff in partnership with Hill St. and Casper organised the Childcare
workshop at the ICON conference in 2006 where Barnardos, Pavee Point and
Pobal where all in attendance.
In June 2006 the Childcare Manager in partnership with local Childcare providers
from the inner city, presented at the Diversity and Equality Forum that was held
in Pavee Point. There were also other international speakers present from
Germany, Holland and Australia. Resulting from the event has been the
establishment of a National Forum on Equality and Diversity for the early years
sector, which LYCS is actively involved in.
At the end of the year we carried out a strategic plan for the crèche with one
objective focusing on sustaining the service. In 2006 we sought additional
funding from Pobal for staff and also applied to the Dublin City Childcare
Committee for a capital grant. We have found it increasingly challenging to meet
the costs of running a community crèche.
We know that the Pre-School Regulations will come into being in September 2007
and have been restructuring our service to meet these changes while maintaining
Full and Sessional day care for children.
22
Annual Report 20 06
Special Events
During the summer we delivered a centre based summer project which was an
action packed two weeks. We also held a farewell party to all the children who
were leaving us to go on to primary school and invited parents to attend. At
Christmas a party was held where Santa was invited in to the crèche along with
the parents for mince pies!
Maintenance and repairs to the service were also carried out and the hall was
painted at the end of 2006. We wanted to create an indoor play area that would
give the children a sense of being outside. In consultation with Aoife Robinson
(Decorative Artist), a mural was created depicting a forest scene with wildlife. So
now we have created a garden in our urban crèche!
The LYCS website was created this year with the Childcare Manager being
trained in updating the website. This means that we can edit the website on a
daily basis when necessary. To have a look at our website see www.lycs.ie and
click on Childcare.
Parental Involvement
As we continue to facilitate parents to become more involved in our service
they took part in a parent evaluation through YPAR where they reviewed
Childcare Services in the area, facilitated by an external facilitator in different
projects around the inner city. Parents were invited to take part in the summer
project, to attend the fare well and Christmas parties.
Staff training & development

In order to develop staff and keep apace with training in the Childcare sector
training is essential for the Childcare team. Below is a list of the training courses
that staff from the Childcare Programme attended:
Masters in Equality Studies
Childcare Supervisor – FETAC Level 6
First Aid
Peer Mentoring Module
Childcare Training – FETAC Level 5
Personal development training
Management Training
Manual Handling training
LYCS inter-programme training
IT Training
23
Achievements during the year

Summer project: This year over 40 children took part in our summer project
which involved a diverse range of activities. Funding from DCC was obtained and
so we are most grateful to everyone for their support.
Funding from School Meals Programme: Continuation funding was obtained

from the Department of Family & Social Affairs towards meal costs.
Farewell party for the Children: We held a farewell party for the children in the
crèche who were going on to primary school and invited their parents. An event
was held for each room which worked well.
Staff completing training: staff this year took part in a range of training with many
achieving certification so congratulations to everyone for all their hard work.
A view from parents:

‘The crèche to me has made a big difference for my life as I can go out and work.
‘She is starting to sing Old MacDonald and we do Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,
she actually has me ma and all singing twinkle twinkle little star, but she calls it
“pinkle”, not twinkle’.
‘I do find her very outgoing because of the songs and I do think it is very
educational in here (crèche)’.
‘Last year when you did the

Christmas show here, my mother
thought it was hilarious that kids that
age would put on a show’.
24
Annual Report 20 06
Youth Programme
Funders:
City of Dublin Youth Service Board
CDVEC
Dublin City Council
Irish Youth Foundation
Staff:
Jackie Maguire Manager
Thomas Dunne Youth Worker
Trish Martin Youth Worker
We also have some active

volunteers and 10 Junior Leader
volunteers who support the club
activities.
Programme Aims
The Youth Programme is committed to providing a quality service for young
people from the local community that is directed by the young people themselves
and as such responds to their real needs.
The Youth programme aims to:

Prevent young people from getting involved in anti-social behaviour and
drug use through diverse programmes that meet their needs.
To develop programmes in direct consultation with young people.
To offer a range of challenging opportunities to young people and to

broaden their horizons through the outward bound programme and trips
away.
To reward young people who demonstrate real potential as leaders

through formal training opportunities, such as Junior Leadership training,
CYC Adventure programme and other exciting opportunities.
To promote integration and share good practice through partnership

projects with other youth groups in the Dublin area.
25

The number of young people the Youth Programme worked with in 2006
Male Female Total
57 27 84
A range of projects were delivered during the year that responded to the needs
of the young people from the inner city, as well as providing them with new
skills and opportunities. Some of the highlights included the Junior Leadership
Project and the ICON Arts Festival to name but a few.
Junior Leadership Programme

The Junior Leadership Project started in September 2005 and funding has been
secured for 2007/2008 through Dublin City Council’s Community Gain to sustain
this project. Through the Junior Leadership project young people were given the
necessary skills to be able to act as volunteer Junior Leaders in LYCS’s Youth
Programme through the provision of theoretical skills e.g. Youth Work Theory,
Anti-Bias training, First Aid, Childcare Protection Training, Personal Development
training, Team building residential weekends etc and practical skills including;
water safety, canoeing, Graffiti art, healthy eating, pottery, crafts, outward bound
residential week etc.
This programme included compulsory and optional modules which were

designed to give young people theoretical and practical skills so that they would
understand the theory around Youth Work and gain practical skills that they could
use in sessions with young people.
By January 2007 the group had taken part in 1268 hours of training combined
and volunteered for a total number of 844 hours.
During the first quarter of 2006 the young people began to volunteer on the
Youth programme and assisted us on weekly clubs, residential weekends and the
summer project. Likewise, their voluntary commitment continued for the year
and they are all active volunteers now in 2007.
The difference the Junior Leadership programme has made to these young
people and their community includes the following;
26
Annual Report 20 06
Young People are becoming Leaders and Role Models in their community –
represented on the NEIC Youth Forum which received an award from the
President for their work in 2006.
Active citizens & giving something back.
Increased confidence – facilitation skills, knowledge around Youth Work,

first aid, water safety, canoeing, child protection, face to face Youth Work;
have all enhanced their confidence.
One young person who went on to study Social Studies in Coláiste Dhulaigh
as a result of the Youth Work Theory course and another Junior Leader is
interested in doing Youth Work in college next year.
Interagency Work
Consultation with Young People
Youth Forum (Young People at Risk Initiative)
LYCS has been an active member of the YPAR process over the past two
years. As part of this a new group of teenagers has been established with an
aim of creating a voice for young people in the north east inner city.
‘We need a voice in how things are done and this is how’ (Youth Forum
member)
A residential weekend occurred in May ’05. Four Junior Leaders from LYCS
participated and have been actively involved in moving things forward.
The consultation weekend resulted in a Youth Forum being established
which has since been extremely active. As a result, these young people
have become more politicised and have been addressing some of the
issues relevant to their age group. One of LYCS’s Youth Workers has
been responsible for chairing the Youth Forum and the forum attended the
recent ICON conference in 2006. Over the past year the young people from
the forum have been involved in numerous events and conferences.
Youth Forum members received the President’s award for being active
citizens.
Four members attended an intercultural exchange to Turin to present/discuss

their experience of setting up a youth forum.
The forum is continuing to work on it’s charter and in the coming months will
set in place formal structures for the youth forum committee.
LYCS is committed to the YPAR process and will continue to support it.
27
Other Projects
Residential Weekends
Young people often learn to take responsibility for themselves while away
from home, they also have the opportunity to move outside the city and
see country life. They learn the importance of working as part of a team
through planning every aspect of the weekend including; menu, ground
rules, cleaning rota, etc as a team. All the young people have a real voice
in planning and have to take responsibilities.
Independence and life skills are fostered during these weekends as well as
friendships established. Mutual respect is established between the young
people, youth team and volunteers.
This year the youth programme delivered an outward bound camping

programme in Achill and 4 residentials in the Wexford Centre. A sleep over
fundraiser night was held in LYCS for the Junior Leader’s Achill Trip.
Date Nights Group Number
2nd – 5th 3 nights junior leader group 9 participants

March 2007
11th – 13th 9 participants

2 nights intermediate group
May 2007 2 junior leaders
15th – 18th 3 nights senior group 13 participants

June 2007

2 nights boys group
July 2007 3 junior leaders

2 nights Mixed group
July 2007 4 junior leaders
20th – 22nd adventure club

2 nights 6 participants
July adventure marathon
camping trip
Summer Project:
This year’s summer programme was lengthened to 3 months (Jun–Aug). The

programme was action packed and provided a real variety of activities.
The good weather allowed for more day trips and activities away from the
centre. For June and July we concentrated on young people in their own
groups, while during August all the groups mixed together with the
support of the Junior Leaders. This also facilitated smooth progression into
new groups for September. At the end of the Summer Programme this
year participants chose to clean up the school yard with cleaning materials
given to us by Dublin City Council.
28
Annual Report 20 06
Larkin Project
A 9-week programme involving LYCS, SWAN and Ballybough Youth services

was delivered in the Larkin Community College. The programme was
delivered in 2006 and included a diverse range of activities including
football, indoor climbing and disco dancing. The project had approx 24
young people attending each week from LYCS. Skilled facilitators provided
quality training, which made it accessible to everyone and allowed young
people from the different projects to mix. Resulting from this project the
football group were invited to play a match in Donaghmede and the youth
programme team are keen to develop this further linking the girls and boys
football teams with other clubs in Dublin. Similarly, the skills that the young
people acquired through indoor rock climbing were put to good use during
a residential week in Achill in June 2006.
Certification
Canoeing Level 1: 9 young people took part in
2 sessions and all received certificates.
Canoeing Level 2: 5 young people participated in

3 intensive sessions and all received certificates.
Water Safety Course: 9 young people received

certificates in Water Safety levels 1–2. This
programme was delivered over 10 weeks.
Pottery Course: a 6 week pottery programme was

delivered to 6 young people who all received
FETAC certificates for their work.
First Aid Training: 9 young people participated in a

one day First Aid course in LYCS.
Child Protection Training: 8 young people

participated in a session on Child protection
List of courses, programmes and events

12 week Youth Work Theory & Personal Development / Anti Bias
programme
Outward Bound week in Achill in June 2006 – activities included caving,
abseiling, camping & cooking, mountain walking and snorkelling.
5 young people took part in a Creative Arts – Graffiti project and have
their final piece exhibited outside LYCS.
Summer project
Junior Leadership Volunteer Programme
Weekly clubs
Larkin College mixed programme
29
Events
Icon Arts Festival 3 month Summer Project ICON conference
Achievements in the year
ICON Arts Festival
The second ICON arts festival was delivered this year and was extended to
three months, whereas last year it was delivered over one month. This year
international artists were employed to work with the young people and the
festival engaged over 70 young people from the inner city of Dublin.
The official launch was held on the 17th June and over 200 people attended
the showcase. Twelve young people from LYCS took part in the graffiti
project, hip hop and DJ workshops and all presented their work at the
launch. The launch received national coverage and featured on RTE and in
the national and local media.
Fishing Project
Fishing taster sessions were delivered in the second quarter of 2006 to

divert young people away from the drug culture in the inner city. The North
East Inner City Development has funded a grant to develop a fishing club
that would incorporate drug awareness training and get young people out
of the city which will run into 2007.
Junior Leadership Quotes:

“I’m really glad I got the chance to be a Junior Leader because it’s
given me the confidence to apply for this course” – Social Studies in
Coláiste Dhulaigh – Junior Leader quote.
“She would never have considered social studies as a career until she
started the youth work theory course” – Junior Leader’s mother.
“For the first time in years we now have in the youth programme
young people aged 16 and 17 years who are ready to act as Junior
Leaders and volunteer” Trish Martin, LYCS Youth Worker.
LYCS’s Youth clubs helps to
“keep you off the streets and that and gives you time to hang with your
mates and have a laugh”.
“When you’re doing all the courses and that it makes you look around and
see what’s going on out there’ from Alan Mulcahy Junior Leader Volunteer”.
30
Annual Report 20 06
Administration and
Security Services
Administration
Staff:
Tessie McMahon, Paul Bogle, Alison McCormack,

Cathy Geoghegan & Frank Burke
Our office is a busy dynamic hive of activity, which provides administrative

support to all LYCS programmes. It now has four members of staff who carry out
a broad range of activities from ‘meeting and greeting’ to being the guardians of
our finances. It is no easy task to provide information and advice to over 40 staff,
300 participants not to mention the huge numbers of phone calls and e-mails
received on a daily basis. A sincere thanks to all.
Security
Staff:
Pat Collins, Nicky Houlihan, Glenn Byrne
Several years ago LYCS took over the responsibility for the security team which
previously had been managed in partnership with our neighbours NYP and ASP.
The security team provides all night and weekend cover for the School-on-Stilts
with much success. Our thanks to them all.
31
Management Structure
The project is managed by a locally based voluntary Board of Management which
has over the past 20 years shown huge commitment to the development of the
organisation. The board meets once a month. LYCS employs a Director who is
responsible to the Management Board for the work of the organisation. The
Director manages the Managers of each Programme of work who are in turn
responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation
LYCS Board of Management
John Farrelly Chairperson
Celsus Fennell Treasurer
Joe Kelly Secretary
Bernie Walsh
Carol Smith
Dave Little
Philip Boyd
Denise Foley Dublin City Council
Maureen Downey Staff member
Margaret Hayes CDYSB, ex-officio
Sarah Kelleher LYCS Director
32
What is Lourdes Youth
& Community Services Ltd
Lourdes Youth & Community Services (LYCS) was
established in 1984, as part of a broad based community
development movement, which emerged in Dublin’s north
inner city in the late 70’s and 80’s. This community
mobilisation was an attempt to combat the relentless
economic and social decline being experienced in inner city
Dublin. Families living in the area experience severe levels
of economic and social disadvantage. Unemployment
levels are high and the mis-use of drugs is widespread.
LYCS is an integrated community based education,

training, recreation and development project which is
concerned with giving participants the opportunity to
become involved in their own development and the
development of their community. The organisation is
locally based and participatory. Personal development is
seen as inextricably linked to the development of local
community resources.
To address the diverse needs of the local community LYCS

operates four programmes:
Community Training Centre (CTC)

Lourdes Youth &
Forty Early School Leavers have the opportunity to gain Community Services Ltd
certified training in FETAC Foundation & Levels 3, 4 and Lr. Sean McDermott Street,
5 and undertake the Junior Cert in a range of modules.
Dublin 1
Telephone:
Provides informal training and education for over 100 01 836 3416 and 836 5984
women and men each week, all of whom have little or
no history of formal education. Fax:
01 855 6445
Crèche
E-mail:
Full-time crèche provides 28 places for children from
info@lycs.ie
1-5 years each day. Many of the parents of the children
who use the crèche are drawn from all four Website:
programmes within LYCS and live locally.
www.lycs.ie
Youth Programme
The youth programme offers afternoon, evenings and The 2006 census figures for
weekend programmes for young people aged 10-21 population changes in the NEIC
plus regular trips outside of Dublin. are not currently available.

LYCS Annual Repport 2006 4sept

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Оригинальное название

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

LYCS Annual Repport 2006 4sept

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Lourdes Youth & Community Services Ltd

Awareness Power Change Participation Community Country Development

Telephone: 01 836 3416 E-mail: info@lycs.ie Website: www.lycs.ie

Lr Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1

01 836 3416 and 836 5984

Dept. of Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs –

City of Dublin Youth Services Board

• Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme

• Dormant Accounts Fund

City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee (CDVEC)

Dept of Foreign Affairs: Irish Aid

Dublin City Council

Irish Youth Foundation

Dublin Docklands Development Authority

Lourdes Youth & Community Services Ltd

Our Philosophy is:

To encourage people to be aware of their own power and how

3. LYCS’s Programmes of Activity

Community Training Centre 7

Adult Education Programme 13

4. Administration & Security 31

The Adult Education Programme in partnership with Cairde continued to

Staff and CTC trainees surpassed themselves with 80% of trainees

The Youth Programme continued to develop its much lauded Junior

Sarah Kelleher, John Farrelly

Throughout spring and summer of 2005, Kainos worked on

A number of staff were trained in updating and site

LYCS also had a stand at the conference which allowed community

LYCS is an integrated community based education, training, recreation and

Community Training Centre (CTC)

Adult Education Programme

The School-on-Stilts accommodates the Youth Programme and the CTC.

The Craft Centre at the base of Rutland Street School accommodates

The Crèche is based in one wing of Rutland Street School.

Community Training Centre

40 full-time learners (age 16–21) participate in

Maureen Downey: Job placement & Personal

Anthony Furlong: Pottery and Arts Instructor

Carol Higgins: Childcare Instructor (Part time)

Angela McGreer: IT Instructor (Part time)

Jim McLoughlin: Woodwork & Painting &

Frances McCole: CDVEC Literacy Teacher

Melanie Billings: CDVEC Psychological Services

Mary Ward: Housekeeper

Paula Gallagher: Housekeeper

Overview of the Year

New timetable & curriculum development

Alternative Programme of Activities

Each summer the CTC embarks on an alternative

Description of Client Group Being Serviced

LYCS has identified the following groups of people as requir-

Early school leavers

LYCS aims to work with 16 – 21 years who can be sub-divided

Young People who have left school without any exam.

Young people who have passed Junior Cert / Leaving Cert

Young people with special educational needs / at risk.

Local Trends Impacting on the CTC

As LYCS CTC has had a majority of women accessing training in recent

LYCS – CTC Statistics Learner Placement

Age Number Youthreach / Other CTC’s 9

Learners who left the centre without a placement – 2006

Personal / family reasons 3

General Statistics for the NEIC