Consultative/Information Day 29th March 2007
Arising from the 7th Annual Breaking Through Conference on “Mentoring”
which was held in Athlone in October 2006, the need for a local support network
for practitioners working in the youth sector was voiced by some delegates.
In response, Breaking Through, an all Ireland Network supporting people working with youth at risk, in collaboration with Bernie Downes, READ Centre, Roscommon and Olga Spellman Advocate, Roscommon issued an invitation to a cross section of youth workers in the Roscommon and the surrounding area to attend a meeting in The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon on 29th March 2007
The purpose of this meeting was:
- To bring together people working in the youth sector in Roscommon & the surrounding area
- To listen to their concerns as workers
- To facilitate the sharing of these concerns
- To provide a format for discussion
- To initiate the development of a local support network for people working with young people at risk
Report on Consultative/ Information Day 29th March 2007
Following an invitation extended by Breaking Through to attend a meeting of people working in the youth sector in Roscommon, 24 people representing a cross section of organisations and individuals working with young people at risk in Roscommon and surrounding areas gathered together in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon on 29th March 2007.
Marie Halligan (National Development Officer, Breaking Through) opened the meeting by welcoming everyone to the event and giving a brief history of Breaking Through.
Olga Spellman (Advocate, Roscommon) invited everyone present to introduce themselves and give a brief description of the work of the organisition or group they represented. Ogla then presented an overview of what a support network could offer. She also pointed out that the network would belong to the group therefore the vision of the network would come from the group following today’s meeting
Bernie Downes (Director READ Centre Roscommon) invited the group to divide into
3 smaller groups for discussion. Bernie, Olga and Sara Kickham, (Breaking Through
Representative in Co. Wexford) facilitated the groups. One person from each group volunteered to report back on the findings to the main group.
Three questions were posted on the board for discussion within the smaller groups.
- Why did you come here today?
- What do you want from a practitioners Network?
- How can you support each other in developing a Network?
Here is a sample of answers to the three questions.
Why did you come here today?
- To find out what services are available
- To find out more about networking
- Working in isolation-need support
- Interested in Symbiotic Networking
What do you want from a practitioners Network?
- A safe place and guidelines for group discussion
- In absence of Supervision/ Staff Support, a platform to discuss problems
- A lobbying group
- To pool experience
- A directory of services/skills for the area
- Face to face meetings with people working in the same sector
- A seamless service
- Themed based meetings
- Access to outside facilitators
- Support for lone workers
- Information on Career/ learning
- Sharing of premises/facilities with others in the Network as need arises
- Joining in funding applications with others in the Network where appropriate
- A database on roles/type of work undertaken by others in the Network
How can you support each other in developing a Network?
- Arrange to meet again in the near future
- Invite others who may be interested to the next meeting
- Gather information for setting up a database
- Bring information to next meeting
- Form a committee
- Agree how often to meet
- Agree a venue/s for meetings
Comments taken from Evaluation Sheet
- Really grateful to be part of this process
- Interacting with other practitioners very useful
- A network would be very advantageous
- Would have liked more time to get to know others outside my small group
- Very interesting and will be pleased to help
- Great idea for those who do not have supervision
- Directory of services would be a great help
- Good to meet other practitioners
- A pen-picture of other services would be helpful
- A good opportunity for inter-agency work and information sharing
- Found the day very informative
- Would like to be part of the network but not at committee level
- Looking forward to the next meeting
The consensus of opinion from the meeting showed that there is a definite need for a support network in the area. Agreed to set up a network. The group agreed to meet again on 24th April 2007 in The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon.
Report on meeting to develop a Local Support Network 24th April 2007
The second meeting held in The Abbey Hotel Roscommon, was again well attended by people representing a good cross section of organisations and individuals working with young people at risk in Roscommon and surrounding areas.
Paul Flynn, (Chairman of Breaking Through and Manager of Crosscare, Aftercare Services) opened the meeting by asking all present to introduce themselves and state the organisation or group to which they belong. Paul also gave a brief description of his work in Crosscare. Paul explained how Breaking Through is willing to facilitate the process of setting up a Local Support Network in this area. The responsibility for the shape and style of the group and how it is set up will lie entirely with the people within the group. Breaking Through will support the group through this process.
Marie Halligan (Development Officer, Breaking Through) referred to the minutes of the meeting of 29th March and reviewed decisions taken at that meeting.
This was followed by a general discussion within the group on practical points around how the group should operate, the need for a committee, how often to meet, time of meetings and question of under-representation by some sectors.
The following points and questions were teased out reported back to the main group.
- Who are we? Independent Support Group-with linkages –this could change
- Will Breaking Through continue to support the group- Yes if that is what the group decides?
- The need for a committee- Yes
- Ground rules- Yes
- Confidentiality- Very important
- Lobbying – The group could Lobby through The Breaking Though Network
- Information Sharing suggestions
- Set up an e-group
- Directory of services- Name, Organisation, Job Title, Other skills or
qualifications which you might like to share with the group
- Themed workshops
- Share Best Practice
The Agenda for the next meeting will address some of the issues raised.
- Who are we?
- Elect a committee
- Ground Rules
- Under-representation
- A shortlist of Themed workshops.
The group agreed to meet on Thursday 31st May 2007 at The READ Centre Roscommon.
The group has been meeting regularly since May 2007.
If you would like more information about this group please contact:
Bernie Downes
The READ Centre, Lisnamult, Roscommon
Phone: 090-6630320
E-mail: read@iolfree.ie |
