To read the full report click here. Hard copies are available on request at our offices.

We’re delighted to share our 2024 Annual Report, reflecting on a year of meaningful impact and growth at Solas Project. Alongside celebrating the difference made through our programmes, 2024 marked the launch of our Five Year Strategic Plan: a roadmap that will guide our work through to 2028.

In the report, we also presented our definition of youth work and the three key principles that shape everything we do: relational, relentless, and a commitment to radical social change.

In this blog, you’ll find a snapshot of the year with key statistics from across our programmes, reflections on the launch of our strategic plan, and a closer look at how these core principles are brought to life in our day-to-day youth work. Our statistics revealed that in 2024, our programmes reached over 900 young people, with 265 involved in long-term youth work engagements. While numbers can never fully capture the depth of relationships and the growth we get to see in young people, they do help give a picture of our reach and areas of impact.

EARLY INTERVENTION AND SCHOOLS WORK

720+ hours of direct contact with young people in our After Schools Clubs and over 4,200 hot meals served.
200+ pupils took part in the Solas@School Business Programme, and 352+ in the Sports Programme.
7 schools participated in our annual Community Business Final at Griffith College, with 158 pupils attending to support their classmates as they pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges.

SOLAS@SCHOOL COmmunity Business Final at Griffith College

COMMUNITY-BASED YOUTH WORK

14 Liberate Young Leaders took part in research and met with decision-makers, including at our “Meet the Candidates” pre-election events, to share their views and advocate for change.

250+ young people engaged with Liberate programmes, 115 of which were intensive, long-term youth work engagements.
2,800 contact hours of youth work across the year.
Over 60 first time engagements in the project.
70 young people went on overnight residential trips.

New Programmes and Skills Development Included:

DJing, Instrument, & Voice Lessons
North South Conflict Programme
Barbering, Hair & Nails
Sexual Health
Outdoor Education
Film Making
Grinds
Barista Training

An overnight camping trip became a powerful turning point for a Rua young Person. Click here to Read the full story on our blog.

YOUTH Justice

Rua (D8 and D12)

53 young people in programme
2,502 hours of contract work
413 sessions of targeted outreach

“The camping trip was one of the most engaging activities we did together and became a significant turning point for the young person. Activities like this not only provide practical skills, but also open up opportunities to experience life outside their own environment.” - Jamin, Rua D12 Youth Justice Worker

TRY (TARGETED RESPONSE With YOUTH)

26 young people throughout the year.
3 graduations.
10 young people completed Fighting for Change.

Compass (Prison Programme)

206 prison sessions.
58 young people engaged in prison/detention.
22 young people engaged in community.

10 young people completed Fighting for Change, a 6-week boxing programme featuring inspiring talks, personal development workshops, and training sessions.

Young people from The Yard took part in The Fumbally Christmas Market, selling their handcrafted goods from the woodturning shop.

Social Enterprise

18 young people engaged in The Yard.
14 young people successfully completed the full programme.
87% attendance rate.

As part of the 2024 redesign of The Yard programme, we expanded our offerings to include barbering alongside our woodwork, personal development, and employment readiness modules. To support this exciting addition, we completed renovations to the workshop space, equipping it with professional barbering stations and tools.

Strategic Launch

The highlight of 2024 was launching our five-year strategic plan, Never Give Up: 2024–2028. The title reflects one of our core beliefs at Solas Project: to instil hope in our young people so they never give up on believing they can live a full and fulfilling life, and to commit ourselves to never giving up on any young person. We believe every young person is worthy of love, of someone who believes in them, and of being invested in.

Unprompted, this was beautifully expressed by one of our young people at the launch:

“The difference for me between Solas Project and other services is that they don’t give up, they actually care. On my days when I’m broken and down and feel like I have nobody, Solas is the place for me to go…it’s that little safe space so I’ll always be grateful to them forever.”

Youth Work Definition

Finally, we shared our definition of youth work, clearly articulating our approach and belief in how and why it plays a vital role in challenging injustice and inequality:

At Solas Project we achieve our vision and mission through the youth work process as we believe that youth work plays a key role in challenging injustice and inequality. Our youth work approach is based on developmental relationships of shared power, that start wherever young people are and strives to create a sense of belonging for every young person no matter their background, beliefs or behaviours. Through action, partnership, and critical social education, we support young people to develop skills to overcome the societal inequalities they face and to create a brighter vision for their future.

Building on the achievements of 2024, we’re excited to carry this momentum into the years ahead, seeing our strategic priorities come to life and creating opportunities for even more young people.

Click Here to read the full report