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New group gives youth a chance

Wednesday, 16 April 2008

GOOD natured and well-behaved teenagers must feel they get a raw deal from the media. Barely a week goes by without some report of rowdy teens or youths causing trouble and strife for their community.
However, a newly formed north county Dublin group is determined to change this tarnished image of teenagers in a bid to show they can have a constructive voice in society.
Swords Youth Council, which comprises students from the four secondary schools in the Fingal town, has also vowed to put pressure on authorities to provide appropriate facilities for teenagers in the area.
Established in March, Swords Youth Council is made up of Aidan McGrath and Padraig Lillis from Fingal Community College, Robert Connon, Oran O’Rourke and Andrew Smith from Colaiste Choilm, Shaunagh Deckhors, St Finian’s, and Aoife Scallon, Rachel Hickey and Grainne Warnock from Loreto Rivervalley.

The group is already in the process of arranging a meeting with Fingal County Council and will be making strong representations to all the political parties in the area.
Speaking to Northside People, Aidan McGrath, chairperson of Swords Youth Council, said they would be working very hard to ensure that youths across Swords have an influence on local decisions.
“One of the big issues for teenagers in Swords is to have decent facilities,” Aidan stated.
“Right now there isn’t anywhere where we can just hang out in a safe environment out of the rain, something like a youth café.
“We will be letting our local council and councillors know about this and if we are told something is going to be built, we will want to know exactly when and where it will happen.”
Aidan said the group will also act as an earpiece for students who may have issues or problems they want solved in their schools.
“We are currently working on a policy to deal with bullying which we will be recommending to the schools when it is completed,” Aidan revealed.
“We will try to tackle other issues that students themselves raise with us, as well as having a say on any major decisions which are being made in the community.”
Aidan said he is annoyed that teenagers get such bad press.
“I wouldn’t agree with the impression that all teenagers are out there causing trouble,” he added.
“Many of them are making a positive impact, which is exactly what we intend to do and I hope that in time we will be able to change people’s attitudes towards teenagers.”
If you would like to get involved with Swords Youth Council or find out more information about the group, you can log onto the website www.swordsyouthcouncil.com

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