TRY supports young people who, due to the societal impact of the drugs trade, have had their lives negatively affected. The impact of which can be chaotic drug and alcohol use, mental health issues, and limited opportunities in education and employment.

TRY primarily targets those aged 18 – 26, implementing a peer led approach in community settings and building relationships by acting as role models. Community, and targeted outreach as well as step by step key working is used to support young people. This model of work is centred on a youth work bridging approach which connects young people to positive community life, supporting them to pursue a more constructive and fulfilling path. TRY also progresses some of its target group into peer mentor roles to continue to expand this work with marginalised young people.

Background

The TRY Project (Target Response with Youth) 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 flat complex. The project was hosted by Donore Community Drug and Alcohol Team and overseen by a volunteer steering group.

In 2021, the geographical reach of TRY was expanded to include Oliver Bond and from 2022 TRY’s key funding was moved to the Department of Justice. To facilitate this growth and change TRY joined Solas Project and now operates within Solas Project’s justice team.

Intervention Model

TRY champions a belief in the capacity of the young people to create more constructive lives for themselves – hence why TRY works “with” the young people. By intensively and persistently engaging young people where they are at, and by providing consistent and competent practical supports, mostly in the form of an effective bridging approach, the young people gradually find trust in others and in themselves. Click the button below to view the full model.