Fermoy drugs initiative makes a big impact
 
_{This Article in The Avondhu Newspaper 07/05/09}

Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services Ltd has had a project operating in Fermoy since 1996.

Fermoy Community Youth Project funded by the Department of Education and Science aims to facilitate the personal social development of participants to realise their potential. Most activities are run after school through group work or on a one to one basis.

In August 2007 CDYS welcomed the addition of FREE – Fermoy Community Drugs Initiative.

Claire O' Mahony, Project Leader and Martina Munnelly, FREE Drugs Outreach Worker, are currently based at Fermoy Resource Centre.

2009 has been a busy year so far for FCYP. Claire, the project worker sits on a local volunteer committee that are interested is seeing a Youth Cafe being established in Fermoy. The committee applied for consideration, to Cork County Council, for the old fire station as a possible location. The committee also had consultations with Fermoy Community Youth Centre who could unfortunately not facilitate the caf£ at present but wish the project and the committee all the best on their future ventures. The project welcome any new young people that would be interested in becoming part of the committee as our current members will be sitting for their Leaving Certificate exams in June. If you are interested please contact Claire for more information, The animated movie 'Fermoy Drift' that our girls group had produced in 2008, with thanks to funding from Irish Youth Foundation was entered into the Fresh Film Festival. FCYP was one of 28 groups to receive a grant from the leading fundraising charity dedicated to providing positive opportunities for young people all over Ireland. Bill Cullen IYF president said, 'We are delighted on this occasion to be able to give a grant of EUR3,000 to Fermoy Community Youth Project. We are confident that this grant will be used to achieve positive outcomes for its participants."

The Fresh Film Festival takes place yearly allowing young film makers to showcase their work. The movie made it through the Cork heats in the Triskel Arts Centre to Limerick so well done to all the young people involved. Well done to Mr. O' Mahony's transition year pupils of Flapjack Productions who won a Radharc Award for their documentary 'Faith of Today'

The music scene has had a really busy year with performances in Fermoy and Mallow, a trip to Dublin to support our Mallow friends, Karma at the Irish Youth Music Awards and excitingly the opportunity to record our very own CD in Rough Cut Lounge Project Studio in Bandon. A big thank you to Bobby and Feargal Lee of Sacred Roots for all their help with this group. We would love to have new members come on board as we grow and develop this music project so if you are into any type of music get in touch and in the meantime check out our My Space page 'Fermoy Music Club'.

Any young people interested in becoming involved in any of the youth services can call to Claire in the resource centre, ringing her on (086) 8031291, emailing her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or leaving a message on the FCYP BEBO site www. bebo.com/Fermoy _Youth_ Project.

DRUGS INITIATIVE

Fermoy Responds Enounters & Engages (FREE) is a community drugs initiative which was set up in August 2007. The project was set up as a result of a lot of hard work from a local group of Fermoy Representatives who felt there was a need for a community drugs worker in the Fermoy area. Martina Munnelly is the project worker and is employed by CDYS but managed by a local management group comprised of local people who help steer the project and make sure it is based on the needs of the Fermoy community. The project is funded by the Southern Regional Drugs Task force.

The project worker works with young people aged between 12-25 who have any issues, worries or concerns relating to drugs or alcohol. It has been a busy year and a half for the project worker. The initial couple of months were spent trying to promote the project and make people aware that it was in Fermoy and was easily accessible. Young people can access the project themselves but GPs, gardai, social workers, teachers, parents and concerned persons, can also refer them.

The project provides one to one support for young people who are experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol in a safe, friendly and confidential environment. The project worker also links young people and their families to relevant services such as counselling, residential treatment, education and training programmes etc

STRENGTHEN FAMILIES

The project worker co-ordinated a 14 week family skills programme for parents and teenagers aged 12-17. The programme which originated from the University of Utah provided families with essential skills such as communication, anger management, stress management, listening skills etc. This programme was extremely well received and the families involved are still very much linked up with the project.

The project worker has commended Ger Canning from the V.E.C for providing the rooms to run the programme and also Kevin and Ann Dolan of Tara Catering for the excellent food provided and also the families who were so committed throughout the 14 weeks.

CLUB CO. CORK

A current initiative which the project worker is involved in is Club Co. Cork – a training module for publicans, bar staff and anyone who sells alcohol on a premises. If you think you may have a problem relating to drugs or alcohol or are a parent and would like to get some advice or information please contact Martina Munnelly Community Outreach drugs worker on 025-51887 086-6096874 email martina® cdys.ie