Cherry Orchard Integrated Youth Service is funded by the City of Dublin Youth Service Board. There are four full-time youth workers along with placement students delivering programmes to young people in Cherry Orchard year round.
CODY
The CODY project is co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020
CODY is our Garda Youth Diversion Project (GYDP). CODY stands for Cherry Orchard Developing Youth. We have two full-time Youth Justice Workers on this project. They deliver a range of programmes to youths in the Cherry Orchard area including:
Copping On
This programme is the National Crime Awareness Programme that covers a wide range of areas such as personal values, relationships, decision making skills, understanding actions & consequences and improved knowledge of the law. The programme provides the opportunity for discussion and reflection of personal behaviour and attitudes and seeks to improve the relationship between young people and An Garda Síochana.
Sexual Health
This programme aims to look at attitudes towards sexuality and provided information on contraception, STI’s and the role alcohol and drugs play in taking risks. By using material from Channel 4 (the A-Z of Love & Sex), young people are encouraged to ask questions that they might otherwise be afraid or embarrassed to ask. . The overall aim of the programme is that young people are more informed to make responsible decisions in their personal lives.
Drug & Alcohol Awareness
In addition to Copping On, we also run a series of sessions looking at young people’s relationship with drugs and alcohol and the influence of peer pressure. Using resources from Channel 4 (the A-Z of Drugs) young people are given the facts of how drug and alcohol use impacts a person physically, mentally and socially. Using a harm reduction approach, it is hoped that young people attending these sessions are now better equipped to make healthier choices regarding drugs and alcohol.
Horse riding programme
This programme gives young people the opportunity to develop their equine skills as well as developing knowledge around animal welfare.
Outdoor pursuits programme
This programme allows the service to bring young people out of their own community. Activities includes kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, pier jumping, hill walking, swimming,
Residentials
Residential trips are hugely successful in taking a young person out of their comfort zone and challenging them to try new things and face their fears. They are an excellent way to strengthen the relationship between the youth worker and young person and also help young people to build friendships with other young people.
Gaisce
The President’s Award is an award in Ireland, earned by young people between the ages of 15 and 25 for participating in several activities for a certain period. There are three awards; bronze, silver and gold.
Groups
Young Women’s Groups
Issues based workshops encompassing all topics relevant to young women; this is developed and delivered in an age appropriate manner. These programmes also include art, outdoor activities, health, diet and well-being, yoga, drugs and alcohol awareness, sexuality, physical fitness, drama etc.
Young Men’s Groups
Issues based workshops encompassing all topics relevant to young men, this is developed and delivered in an age appropriate manner. These programmes also include art, outdoor activities, health, diet and well-being, drugs and alcohol awareness, sexuality, physical fitness, drama etc.
Drama Group
This group works on Drama and Multimedia projects. Young people get the opportunity to develop their skills in scripts writing, lighting producing, editing and act in their own short films. Workshops include ice breakers, role-play, delivery, reading scripts along with film making and acting, directing and editing.
Singing Group
Weekly workshops with a professional vocalist focusing on voice training and reading music. An end of season finale includes a city wide event in the Helix.
After School Study
A joint project between Caritas College and ourselves focusing on young people who struggle with school study programmes yet have thrived under the youth work setting.
College Support Group
A supportive space offered to young people from our project who have gone on to third level and require support with further learning as well as a facility that has computer access, materials and mentoring. Workshops around relevant study topics are also offered.
One to One work
This service offers one to one support to a young person that may require this at a vulnerable, traumatic or life changing time in their lives.
Family Support
We engage with families in a supportive way and this usually stems from our one to one service with a young person.
Outreach
Outreach helps us to identify and engage with young people who are at not involved with any services in the Cherry Orchard and Ballyfermot area.
We meet young people where they are at – providing information, advice and support.
We encourage young people to take part in existing or new activities and facilities.
Programmes
A range of Programmes are also delivered by Cherry Orchard Integrated Youth Service in conjunction with the Equine Centre. These include:
Stay in School Programme
This programme is in conjunction with both primary and secondary schools in Ballyfermot whereby young people who are at risk of leaving school early are worked with in the youth work setting.
Outdoor pursuits programme
This programme allows the service to bring young people out of their own community. Activities includes kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, pier jumping, hill walking, swimming,
The Bike Programme
This programme will teach young people how to carry out bike repairs and maintenance. The young people will get the opportunity to bring in a broken or an old bike and repair it in a number of weeks with the help of a trained person.
Teen Mothers Programme
A space whereby young mothers come together to receive support and information regarding the health and well being of both themselves and their child. Legal and economic information is also given.
Young Fathers Programme
This programme works with young men who have become fathers and need support around raising their children. The programme also has a big emphasis on promoting positive mental health using outdoor pursuits as a way of engaging with young males.
Seasonal Programmes
These programmes provide young people with a fun-filled and creative space when they are out of school. We run a number of events during the year, Easter programme, summer programme, Community days and a Halloween festival.
The Shine Programme
This programme looks at the strength, worth and purpose of young women aiming to address the many issues women face in their everyday lives especially regarding inequality.
Horse Riding Programme
This programme gives young people the opportunity to develop their equine skills as well as developing knowledge around animal welfare.
Drop Ins
Our Drop-in’s are designed primarily as a preventative strategy to encourage a decrease in anti-social behaviour, through positive relationship building, fun activities within a safe, supportive, fun and activity filled environment. We provide a safe and fun area for young people on a weekly basis whereby they can drop–in at their own leisure and engage with their peers. Food and drinks are given. The drop–in is also a progression route from outreach to maintain interest and community participation of young people.
We have two age groups 10-13 and 14 up, they take place on Mondays evenings from 5.00pm to 6.30pm and 7.00pm to 9.00pm.