Youth Programme

Next Step Programme

Every September thousands of children embark on one of life’s significant changes: the start of secondary school.

After eight years of being surrounded by classmates they have known since junior infants, they are catapulted into an unfamiliar world of lockers, complicated timetables, new demands from teachers, new social circles and – as if that wasn’t enough – puberty.

The effect of transition from primary to post-primary school has alarmed educators with evidence that many children end up regressing in their first year, meaning that children could lose motivation, fall behind or make no progress in their first year of post-primary school.

The Next Step Programme encourages young people to build self-confidence, as well to express any fears or concerns they may have. And it allows them to talk through things with mentors and volunteers, whether it’s bullying, confidence issues, lost locker keys, whatever. The idea is to make sure no one feels alone and to create a supportive environment.

Raheen Family Resource Centre delivers the Next Step Programme to sixth class students in national schools in Raheen, Adamstown, Newbawn & Clonroche.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/the-programme-helping-to-ease-the-primary-to-secondary-school-transition-.32140801

MindOut Programme

This programme was developed for young people ages 15 to 18 years of age. The programme supports young people to develop social and emotional competencies in the areas of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management and responsible decision making. These competencies are protective factors that encourage and equip young people to deal with daily challenges and the stresses of life.

The programme is delivered by trained facilitators, and is comprised of 12 sessions, each session lasting 1 hour.