A Co Fermanagh youth group has been praised by its members who have overcome difficulties with drugs and crime through its work.
Fermanagh Positive Youth Outlooks forms part of the Fermanagh Sports and Cultural Awareness Association, and supports young people on a range of issues to help them become more employable and develop life skills.
The youth group has been working in the Co Fermanagh area for the last two years, with many of the young people involved coming from a range of challenging backgrounds, including paramilitary recruitment, drugs abuse and dealings with the criminal justice system.
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One young man who has seen the benefits of the group is 19-year-old William, who wanted to remain anonymous.
“I grew up in a mixed religion household in a small town in Fermanagh. At a young age my parents separated, and my father went to prison,” William said.
“After my father’s release, I spent my time between two homes and struggled through primary school and was expelled from two secondary schools.
“This led to me attending an alternative education setting where I left with no qualifications.
“I started to misuse drugs from the age of 14, starting with cannabis and eventually moving on to harder drugs.
“This was my way of dealing with an unstable environment. Whilst under the influence I engaged in risk taking behaviours and often ended up in trouble with the police.”
William joined the Fermanagh Positive Youth Outlooks programme when staff reached out to him.
At first, he was a little apprehensive as it was a group of people he did not know, but it took no time for William to get comfortable and feel part of the group.
“Throughout the programme I have grown in confidence and realised I want a better life for myself," he said.
“Because of this my drug use has reduced substantially and I have no involvement with the criminal justice system.
“I attended the programme every week and pushed myself to go out of my comfort zone with the support from staff.
“I’m leaving the programme with several level 1 qualifications including Get Ready for Work, Youth Leadership and First Aid.”
A celebration event for those involved in the programme took place in the Horseshoe and Saddlers in Enniskillen, recognising the qualifications gained by young people in the last two years.
The Project has been funded by the International Fund for Ireland since April 2021 delivering 60 accredited qualifications, while seventeen young people have also secured employment through the support of the project and team.
John Quinn, Fermanagh Positive Youth Outlooks co-ordinator added: “We are delighted representatives from various organisations, including the International Fund for Ireland and Rural Action came to celebrate the achievements of our young people.
“Having collaborated with them for almost two years, it is a credit to every one of them that they are leaving with an array of qualifications that will hopefully stand with them for their futures.”
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