This article is from page 31 of the 2007-04-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 31 JPG
SECONDARY school students in Shannon have benefited from the de- livery of a personal and social devel- opment programme, which has been offered by the local youth service.
Youth workers Cathal Dillon and Thomas O’Hara have linked in with students at both St Caimin’s and St Patrick’s Comprehensive School in the town, in offering the pro- eramme.
The twelve-week programme 1s Open to non-examination year stu- dents, and runs for an hour, once a week.
In all, 20 young people from Shan- non will complete the programme,
which deals with topics including family, friends, authority, loneliness and communication.
The programme offers young peo- ple opportunities to discuss and ex- plore issues, that are important to them. It is carefully designed to assist the young people in their personal and social development, by discuss- ing topics of importance to them such as relationships, friendship and trust. This also helps them to enhance their communication skills and build their self-confidence.
On completion of the programme, the young people will receive certifi- cates at an assembly where parents are invited to go along and experi- ence a taste of the programme for
themselves and see the presentations designed by each group also.
Youth worker Cathal Dillon said the group is working well together and everyone is enjoying the pro- eramme.
“The group work together bound by a contract which they come up with with the tutor at the beginning. They share their experiences and thoughts on the topics at their own level. There is no pressure put on people. Over the weeks the group gel together and trust and friendship is built up and com- munication improves. This allows the eroup to feel comfortable and speak freely about topics such as friendship and loneliness, towards the end of the program. The group also get the op-
portunity to question two visitors to the group. The first visitor 1s a youth worker and the second someone who works with people who may be lone- ly. This gives them an opportunity to enhance their communication skills and see how they react to meeting new people,’ he said.
“The whole thing is enjoyable and interesting. I’ve got to know some of the people from my school much better. One thing I think everyone thinks is how the exercises put per- sonal life into a different perspective, which can be very informing. I think everyone enjoys it and I’m definitely glad I chose to try it,” said student Garry McKee, who is taking part in the project.