‘When I look back to last summer I can’t believe how different my life is right now…’ European Solidarity Corps update nine months in!

Our European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteers have completed 9 months with Solas Project so far! It’s hard to believe they only have a few months left. We wanted to ask them a few questions to hear how the last 9 months have impacted their lives…

The ESC volunteers as the year went on became part of a larger group of international students and volunteers. It’s been great to see them bond as a team and support each other in the day to day teamwork required.

Ruth, ESC, Germany

Sometimes you don’t realise how much you grew and how much you changed until you look back. 

And when I look back to last summer I can’t believe how different my life is right now. 

Through the last 9 months I was able to build relationships with the young people in Solas Project based on trust and mutual understanding. I grew in my role in the After School Clubs. I found really good friends among the team I’m working with. I successfully lived on my own abroad. I improved my English. 

I got more confident in my own body. It wasn’t always easy and sometimes it still isn’t easy but I grew from the challenges. 

It is hard to pick a highlight about my time here so far. But if I had to choose, it would be the welcoming atmosphere at work. The feeling when you come to work and everybody is glad you are there. The staff, the other students and also the children (though they often don’t like to let on that they are). 

I’m looking forward to enjoy my last 3 months with Solas Project. I’m sure the summer project is going to be super fun and I’d make plans to explore Ireland even more.

Sarah, ESC, France:

I’m proud of the relationships that I’ve formed with the kids. It’s something that took effort and energy. Spending time discovering their personalities taught me how to be myself and to create a bond with them.

I’m also so happy that I’m way more confident with the language now, I used to be very hesitant thinking about what I wanted to say but now I’m comfortable.

The team has been so encouraging and was always pushing us to take initiatives. My leader was trusting me to suggest activities, to work directly with the kids and to manage challenging situations, it really gave me a boost of confidence. I feel free in my work because I know that my opinion matters in the team and that we rely on each other to make everything work.

I’m going to go home in August 2022 feeling more confident about my work, knowing that I’m able of handle situations and that even if it seems hard and stressful it’s getting better with time… One year ago there’s things I would have never been able to do or to manage, and today, with the time that I spend with the children and my co-workers it’s so much easier.

I’ve grown so much because of the independence I have gained and the trust that the Solas Project team gave us. This experience which was a huge challenge for me is now my everyday life and I’m so grateful for that.

Jana, ESC, Germany

Ireland is not all sheep and meadows — not that surprising since we work and live in the capital. But I wouldn’t have initially expected such a colourful mix of people and sceneries in Dublin alone.

In Solas Project, I am positively surprised by the open dynamic that can be seen throughout all different programmes: The entire staff including the CEO communicate with us the volunteers and the young people as equals.

One of the first significant things that made me feel good as a volunteer, was hearing the kids call my name when they were in need of help. I felt recognised. By now, when young people remember the smallest details I have mentioned weeks ago that shows me that I have an impact on their way of thinking and that I have to use it in the most positive way possible.

Volunteering here has confirmed my career plan of becoming a teacher. Showing and teaching the kids how I draw and paint, for example, never fails to make me happy.

Now that we’ve escaped the awfully cold winter, I am looking forward to my summer in Ireland. I am eager to see more of the Island. I am grateful that I will get to experience summer projects with the after schools club the bonus being adventuring to many fun places with the children.

As I think about my return to Germany, all the knowledge about a whole different culture will have changed my day to day views. Hopefully, I will be able to maintain my self-reliance at home having now lived on my own.

Actually, I really don’t want to think about going home yet. Time is flying over here and I still can not believe that nine months have passed. It’s going to be over way too soon! 

Targeted Response with Youth (TRY) joins Solas Project

Solas Project is pleased to announce the addition of the TRY (Targeted Response with Youth) Project to our organisation.

Targeted Response with Youth (TRY) is a peer - mentoring project based in Dublin's south inner city, which targets young people involved in or at risk of becoming involved in the drug economy and antisocial behaviour.

The TRY Project was started as part of the St. Teresa’s Gardens Regeneration in 2017, initially on a small pilot basis targeting a group of young men who were engaged in public drug dealing in the flats complex. The project was hosted by Donore Community Drug and Alcohol Team (DCDAT) and overseen by a volunteer steering group.  

In 2021, the geographical reach of TRY was expanded to include Oliver Bond and TRYs key funding was moved to the Department of Justice. This meant that TRY could no longer remain part of DCDAT. After exploring the possibility of becoming an independent entity, the TRY steering committee approached Solas Project to see if they we would assume the Governance remit of TRY under our organisational structure.

The young person centred approach of TRY fits well with the vision and values and Solas Project and we share the same ethos of never giving up on young people. The leadership of Solas Project saw the value the skills and specific skillset of the TRY team would bring to our organisation and most importantly to the young people in our community.

In February 2022, after a period of discussions and a formal transfer of undertakings process the three TRY employees joined Solas Project. TRY have come in as part of our larger Justice Team while retaining their unique identity.

We have developed a Joint Project Committee for the Rua and TRY programmes and are delighted to have some of the TRY steering group members join this group, alongside the Gardai and other experts in the field.

Our focus in now on re-establishing and developing the important work of TRY in both Donore Avenue and Oliver Bond. We look forward to the continued, and growing success of this programme.

Liberate Launch

Cause for celebration

The Liberate Launch on 21st February 2022, was a youth centred event and a much warranted celebration of our new full-time mainstream youth service in the Liberties! We’ve shared some extracts from those who participated including songs, poems and inspirational speeches below. As well as that there was food, dancing, karaoke and a lot of fun had!

“Do you know what’s really special about today? [Young people ask what?] What’s really really special about today is this is the first time in nearly 10 years that there has been a new youth project in Dublin city the first in 10 years, and it’s here and you’re part of it! [cheers]”

Christy Duffy, director of CDETB, City of Dublin Education and Training Board

Our guests at the launch included staff from local schools, local youth and community workers, politicians, local residents, community Gardaí, representatives from CDETB and CDYSB, our own team of staff and volunteers, and most important of all young people!

It was a pleasure to welcome Minister of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O Gorman. The Liberate programme has come out of an extra 5million provided in the 2021 budget for this area of development. We were honoured to be able to showcase what the Liberate team of five staff plus volunteers and young people have accomplished thus far.

Liberate still in its formative stages already engages with approximately 100 young people through a variety of targeted groups, community outreach, drop-ins, one-on-ones and mentorships.

CHANGE makers

The Liberate Youth Work team at Solas Project operates under the shared vision, ethos and values of love; hope; joy and justice with a vision for the young people to realise their true potential.

Minister Roderic O’Gorman challenged young people to see themselves as change makers:

“See yourselves as people who are able to actually change your community, do something different, make something exciting happen.”

Christy Duffy, director of CDETB had a great rapport going with the young people and challenged them to use their voices for change with the help of the service provided by Liberate:

“It’s all about having a place and safe space for you the young people to find your voice… It’s about being able to use that voice here in the local community and in the whole of Ireland…. The key piece of that is actually using your voice to help one another, as you grow through the years.”

As well as creating the safe environment where critical conversations can take place, Liberate hopes to inspire young people to use their voices to influence change. Solas Project’s long term model engaging with a young person from childhood into adulthood allows for a greater impact over time.

Young people are encouraged to cultivate a sense of ownership in their life, their community and develop a sense of belief in themselves. One of the young people who has been a part of Step Up, Solas Project’s mentoring programme for the last 4 years spoke on the night about his growing confidence as a result of being part of the club, Eric demonstrated this increased confidence by standing in front of the crowd to share his experience:

“Hello everybody my name is Eric. I’m 18. I’ve been coming to club since 2nd year, and the club has basically given me a lot of confidence to like grow as a person even through lockdown I started doing a lot of stuff that I wouldn’t have necessarily had the confidence to do before. I started up doing a podcast. I took acting up again… Also talking to people was something I struggled to do but club really gave me the confidence to talk to people… But even just coming to club chatting to your mentor about how you feel or anything that’s going on during the week or if there’s anything at all that you want help with, they’re there to help you … at club you just relax, chill, learn new skills, talk to new people, try new experiences.”

PREMISES

Another young person Ellie, new to us since Liberate’s inception, wrote a poem for the Minister:

‘Minister, we are glad to see that we are finally free for this cup of tea. We never feared that we would meet this year, thank you for UBU, this group has just begun, we’re all having so much fun, and it’s well up and running, all because of your funds We are glad there’s something new to do, Liberate is really great, unfortunately we’re tight on space, we would really love a bigger place, somewhere that’s inclusive and is always safe’

Eddie D’Arcy, board member and former Solas Project CEO elaborated on Ellie’s request to the minister reiterating our imminent need and ongoing plea to secure a suitable premises in Dublin 8. He detailed our endless attempts to gain access to unused sites owned by public bodies or vulture funds in the area.

Addressing Minister O’Gorman directly, he listed the buildings in the area which would provide ideal spaces for Solas Project but have been lying empty for several years. He pointed out the disparity between youth services in the north inner city compared our part of the city which has the most Dublin corporation tenants of any other:

“If you walk from Gardiner street to the canal there’s 14 different youth projects all with their own premises.      

We have this vision of a youth village where we’d have… a performing arts centre and workshop and music space, and our youth café all within that. And it’s lying there and it’s empty. We just need somebody with a bit of mouth to say to the corpo stop selling off these resources. The community deserves them.

The Liberties hasn’t had a youth service in 10 years. And it’s a needy community. And it’s a great community. So I mean they’re getting a good package with Solas Project.”

Credit goes to

Our dedicated Liberate youth work programme manager and superhero, Leanne Lowry is responsible of much of the event's planning, smooth sailing, and success. Without Leanne and her team’s vision, determination, and dedication to all things youth work, none of this would have been possible.  

Liberate's young people were central to the success the launch. The event would not have been such a joyful success without their enthusiasm and energy. Although, it should be said that things did become heated at one point over who got to sing Maniac 2000! We resolved this problem where everyone got to sing their own rendition of it. Oggie Oggie Oggie… Oi! Oi! Oi!

We’ll leave you with these lyrics written and performed by young person Hannah, along with one of our Youth and Community work university students on guitar:

“Monday 21st and the ministers here, What do we do, get up and cheer, Let me tell you about what we do, Because its all brand new, Need somewhere to have the chats

Don't worry Gayle always has your back, And what is her motto here, YUP THE FLATS

Jamin is always bouncing with cheer, Stephen gets you involved with no fear, When it's cold Leanne brings us in, Makes us hot chocolate that’s a win! Aoibhinn is the creative gal Her and Gayle are great pals.

Emily helped me with this today, She’s got her own musical way, There is so much to achieve this year, Thank you all for being here… (Shout) DUBLIN 8 GIVE US A CHEER

“It has opened their minds to the world of further education”… Solas College, what the teachers say…

Solas College introduces 6th class children to the idea of attending third level education. In this blog we are going to let feedback we’ve received from teachers do most of the talking. You’ll hear more about the purpose and impact of Solas College.

Why Solas College?

As one of the schools we partner with has highlighted:

“You may think that in this day and age that all pupils would naturally aspire to go to college but unfortunately for a lot of pupils in DEIS schools this is not the case”.

Scoil Íosagáin Crumlin, Dublin 12

In their final year of primary school we, and schools in our community, feel passionately that 6th class pupils can hugely benefit from being introduced to the idea of college. Our timing is intentional:

“Being exposed to third level options at such a young age is vital as it helps to motivate the students in secondary school. It impacts on the choice of what subjects to pursue”.

George’s Hill school,  Dublin 7

Our aim is that in introducing third level education as an option to pupils about to transition to secondary school, they will be motivated enough to entertain the idea that it could be for them. We encourage them:

• to make a choice to pursue and place value on their education and;

• practically, to understand their potential and future prospects.

“Although their decision about attending third level education is not imminent, continuing their education and completing secondary school is …”

6th class teacher, Dublin 7

Many children at risk of educational inequality have very little grasp of college or what it entails. As another 6th class teacher observed:

“My pupils do not know of anyone who has studied in college.  They have no clue where any of the Dublin colleges are.  This is something I found quite shocking.  When I asked this year’s class how many of them had any idea of where UCD is based only 4 out of 24 had any idea.  We are only 20 minutes from there”. 

This same teacher asked her 6th class boys ‘What would stop you going to college?’ Their answers were:

• Fear 

• Money 

• Distance 

• Didn’t know anything about it 

The same boys were also asked if they knew anyone who had gone to college:

Out of 24 pupils, 3 knew of someone who had gone to college.

Through Solas College children can make a link and begin to understand what it’s all about. We aim to alleviate the fears and obstacles as they perceive them.

In addition to the factors listed above influencing how these 11 and 12 year olds view third level education, there are societal barriers in place statistically making them at higher risk of leaving school early or giving up on education. For many of these young people the hurdles to overcome can feel insurmountable due to their context and so we aim to support them to overcome these hurdles, imparting hope and opportunity!

We start with an interactive classroom discussion around third-level education outlining access opportunities and immediately breaking down some of the more obvious obstacles for the children.

“Olive and Eimear (Solas College Staff) connected so well with the students and delivered lessons in a fun, engaging way, helping them break down their career goals into manageable steps”.

6th class Teacher, Francis Street CBS, Dublin 8

The programme is in three parts, first we run an interactive session in their classroom, then we take them on a trip to a college campus, and we end with another classroom session to debrief and embed the learning.

“In the classroom, the children can learn about college and begin thinking towards furthering their education and all of this culminates in a trip to a university. This trip is often a highlight of the year for children in our school as they are provided with the access and opportunity to visit a university for the first time, exploring a campus seeing buildings and engaging with subjects they have learned about”.

6th class Teacher, Francis Street CBS, Dublin 8

The trip gives children a taste of the life of a student, including a campus tour.

“The trip to the college and tour of the college shows the children how close the campus actually is to them.  Although the campus is big in size having the tour shows how easily accessible everything is. 

It also shows that college is not just about work – it’s about creativity, socialisation, sports, entertainment. 

As money is also an issue, the boys found out during the tour that there are scholarships available to make it more accessible”.  

6th class teacher, Scoil Iosagain, Dublin 12

Over the past 5 years we have partnered with UCD Explore bringing the children into a science laboratory to carry out all kinds of experiments. They’ve had so much fun being mini scientists whilst getting an insight into college life!

“The experience of attending UCD this year allowed students to work in a science laboratory, complete experiments and explore a new environment of education”.

Frances Street School, Dublin 8

The trip to college gives the children a tangible experience which, according to more than one teacher is often a highlight of their final year in primary school:

“We were lucky to be invited to UCD for a science experience which was a wonderful opportunity for the boys to see the university and inspire their creative minds. The experience ended with a pizza party which was a great celebration and an afternoon they will not forget”.

Teachers have observed the change in attitude from their pupils as a result of participating in Solas College:

“I could see this had an extremely positive effect on the students as for a lot of them they believe third level was out of reach due to their socio-economic backgrounds. 

The Enthusiasm and optimism I felt from my students after the visit to UCD was undeniable”.

Teacher, St George’s Hill School, Dublin 7

We are delighted to have schools behind us supporting of Solas College. It’s so great to hear the children’s enthusiasm and increased motivation as a result of the programme.

“I have worked with several different 6th classes in the last couple of years and the Solas College programme is without doubt one of the most memorable parts in the year”. 

Teacher, Dublin 12

We are honoured to engage with these young people in helping them see their potential as their minds expand and possibilities open up before them.

Teachers working with 6th class day in day out are seeing the benefits to young people. We look forward to continue working with each of our partnering schools across Dublin on Solas College as well as our other Solas at School programmes in the coming months and years.

“This project was nothing short of fantastic. It was very well organised, informative and engaging”.

6th Class Teacher Dublin 8

We leave you with this comment from a teacher which is our ultimate aim:

“It has opened  their minds to the world of further education”.

St George’s Hill School, Dublin 7