BELB Youth Service: Young People

Overview

The youth service in Belfast seeks to work with young people to facilitate their personal, social and educational development. They will also work to enable young people to gain a voice, influence and place in society in a period of their transition from dependence to interdependence.

They have approximately sixty full time staff and two hundred part time paid and voluntary staff working for the benefit of young people in the city. They also have over three hundred registered groups.

The Belfast Education and Library Board is charged under Article 37 of the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 1986 to secure the provision of adequate facilities for youth service activities.

In Belfast they work directly with young people who attend the many youth centres and provide financial assistance and support to those centres. They also have seven area projects, which work, in communities across the city.

Each year the BELB youth service provides a range of training opportunities for adults involved in youth work and courses for young people on issues such as:

• personal development
• communication skills
• leadership training
• drug education and
• community relations.

They also encourage community relations as part of their work and provide support through the Youth Service Community Relations Support Scheme.

Bursary scheme

The board is prepared to consider applications from young people resident in the board's area for financial assistance to:

• Attend courses and conferences.
• Participate in expeditions/projects.
• Take part in a study tour.
• Acquire skills.

Local Youth Council Support

The 'greater involvement of young people' government policy has lead to a network of local youth council throughout Northern Ireland. The board support the development of this facet of participation in terms of exercising influence on the policy and practice on its education committee (youth). Contact the relevant area youth officer for advice on specific support available.

Adventure/Outdoor Activity Residential

The board provides opportunities for individual young people to appreciate the environment and experience challenging situations in a controlled setting. Details available from the outdoor education centres.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme

The board is the operating authority for a number of schools, youth groups and projects and administers the scheme for young people involved with these units.
Financial assistance may be available for gold candidates towards:

• Residential project.
• Attendance at gold award presentation.
• Expedition expenses outside Ireland.
• Trainee Leader Certificate

This course is aimed specifically at young people in the 16 - 19 age group who demonstrate leadership aspirations and potential