This Easter Break saw young people in South Tipperary organise an innovative and exciting concert to raise awareness around mental health using wrist bands and music bands to get the message across – you are not alone!  South Tipperary Comhairle na nÓg is the elected youth council for South Tipperary and every year at its AGM over 100 delegates from across the county vote on the theme they want worked on by the council for the year ahead.  In October  2011 that theme was Mental Health and the members have been working away on this since late last year.  As part of this the Tipperary town delegates of the council were tasked with the job of organised a mental health awareness event for young people where they could promote positive mental health and its importance.  This mental health sub group of Comhairle na nÓg (Dermot Davern, Annemarie Burns, Robert O Donnell, Mikaela Coffey, Conor Jones & Clara Quinn) organised a Concert on 12^th April in Ballykisteen Hotel at 8pm with local artists such as Big Loader, Shane Fowler, Josh Tobin, Roisin Cotter, Catherine Mulcahy & Megan Brahan performing .   To raise awareness of the event, entry was by purchasing a wristband which had the slogan ‘You’re not alone’ on it.  The event targeted young people from 14 – 17 and promotes positive mental health in South Tipperary.

Alan Quinlan local Rugby hero who is a supporter of mental health awareness and also young people in the county made a visit to open the event.  The group also received backing from Headstrong and the O2 Think Big campaign nationally for this project, with members recently attending a project planning day in Dublin, as well as interested local organisations, such as South Tipperary County Council, South Tipperary VEC, Tipperary Regional Youth Service, Waterford and South Tipperary Community Youth Service, HSE, and West Tipperary Mental Health Association. Headstrong and members of its National Youth Advisory Panel were also in attendance.  It is hoped that by raising awareness with young about the importance of positive mental health Comhairle can also raise it with decision makers and people who provide mental health supports in this area. If you or a member of your family would like to learn more, Comhairle na nÓg can be contacted through their facebook page.

Want to get some experience doing a run????  In training Sign up for the TRYS 8km Fun Run

 in Tipperary Town on the 29^th April at 10 AM.

  As an extra incentive, if a group from a

club or association sign up, they get 50% of the entry fee back for their own club!!!

So raise a bit of money for us and for you

 and get fit – what a bargain!!!!

Comhairle Náisiúnta na nÓg

MEDIA RELEASE:                                                                                          March 27^th 2012

Youth Council dismay at weekday referendum date

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has expressed disappointment at the Government decision to hold the referendum on the European Stability treaty on a Thursday, as this will disenfranchise many young people in education, training or in work away from home.

“It is disappointing that Government have chosen a weekday for the referendum, as the majority of young people surveyed⁺ indicated that weekend polling was very important to encourage their participation,” said James Doorley, NYCI Assistant Director.
“It is particularly disappointing given that both Fine Gael and Labour supported weekend voting* in opposition,” continued Mr Doorley.

“In light of the Government decision, they now need to provide information to those young people who may need to change their voter registration to their current address on how and until when they can do this.”

“Furthermore, given the confusion and lack of information around the last referendum on Oireachtas inquiries, it is vital that sufficient information is provided this time for young voters to make a well-informed decision,” concluded Mr Doorley.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Daniel Meister, Communications Officer at NYCI on 087 781 4903 or 01 425 5955 or email communications@nyci.ie

Notes to Editors:

National Youth Council of Ireland

The National Youth Council of Ireland is a membership-led umbrella organisation that represents and supports the interests of voluntary youth organisations and uses its collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people.

21st – 29th April 2012

This week will be a celebration of local youth service lead by local people and will involve thousands of young people and communities participating in events around the country. To Find out about Events in your area follow this link!

http://www.youthworkireland.ie/site/

TRYS is organising a night-time walk for all people who wish to join us, many participants will be youth members of TRYS but all who wish to join us, including family members, sponsors, walkers and all interested people, are welcome.

The walk-

- start – 7.30 PM Friday 4th. May 2012

- this night walk to 694m on the 117th highest peak in Ireland will be near the time of the full moon and will be spectacular

- meet – Doonane trailhead car park 3 km from Toor in the Newport direction

- a moderate walk along tracks and trails requiring medium levels of fitness

- registration required, there will be spot prizes from the registration forms with prizes including a camera

- sponsorship not essential but will be appreciated

The aims -

- to set a healthy challenge for all participants

- to have fun participating in a group night-time venture

- to raise money to support the youth services of TRYS

For registration, sponsorship forms and advice/information leaflets contact-

TRYS (Thurles office), Croke St., Thurles

0504 23426 trys@trys.ie

After a  very shaky start to St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Tipperary (It was on, it wasn’t, then it was) we are very happy to announce for the first time EVER we won a prize in the parade.  We won the most original idea category.  As this is the year of the dragon in China and they recently visited our shores we decided to honour that and create our very own dragon.  A huge thanks to Trisha Turifi who worked really hard with ALL the kids to create this amazing creature.  Thanks a million to all the kids who came along on the day to march through the town under the dragon.  Thanks loads to all the stayawakeathoners who worked through the night putting the finishing touches.  We had so much fun we’ll be back next year bigger and better!!

Want to look and feel fabulous for the summer?  Don’t we all.

Why not participate in the Tipperary Regional Youth Service

annual fun run on the 29th of April 2012.

This is an 8km walk/run starting at the market yard in Tipperary Town.

Entry fee = €10.00 for adults or €5.00 for u 18′s.

Contact Lisa, Aisling or Donna on 062 52604 for further information and a

training programme.

invite youth participation conference 130212