Regional News for the South West:

Consultative /Information Day
25th September 2007

Arising from the 7th Annual Breaking Through Conference 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 have undertaken to initiate the development of local support networks in areas throughout the country. The Breaking Through Network in collaboration with Gerard Griffin, Senior Traveller Training Centre, Ennis, Karl McGealy, N.A.T.C’ S, and Eddie Keane, Youthreach Progression, Ennis, is  pleased to invite you to a consultative/information day for practitioners in Ennis and surrounding area.
The purpose of this meeting is:

• 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
  

Please feel free to pass this information on to your colleagues who you think may be interested in attending.

Report on Consultative
Information Day 26th September 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.

Paul Flynn, Chairperson of Breaking Through, is also manager of Crosscare Aftercare Services in which he has worked with homeless boys in Dublin city centre for over twenty years. Paul explained that Breaking Through, following on from recommendations made by delegates at last year’s Breaking Through conference for support networks for practitioners would facilitate the initiating of the development of such networks. This year Breaking Through has helped to start the process in Roscommon and Wexford. Paul pointed out that the network would belong to the group therefore the vision of the network would come from the group. Breaking Through would be happy to facilitate the initiation of this process.

Karl Mc Gealy, Youth worker in Ennis and south west representative of Breaking Through said how he as a youth worker felt the need of a local support network and mentioned several areas where he felt networks would be of benefit to him and to other practitioners working in the youth sector.  Karl then invited the attendees to divide into three smaller groups thus enabling more discussion.
Gerry Griffin, Karl McGealy and Eddie Keane facilitated the groups and invited people within the groups to report the findings back to the main group.

Three questions were posted on the board for discussion within the smaller groups.

• Why did you come here today?
• What is a Local Support Network?
• What are the Local Issues?

Here is a sample of answers to the three questions.

Why did you come here today?

• To find out more about networking
• To find out what services are available
• Interested in sharing information
• Would like to be able to give good service
• Would like support for myself as a worker

What is a Local support Network?

• A safe place and guidelines for group discussion
• In absence of or as well as Supervision/ Staff Support
• A platform to discuss problems
• Non judgmental forum
• “Recharging of batteries”
• A lobbying group
• Unashamed ably supporting professional work of practitioners
• To pool experience
• A  directory of services/skills for the area
• Face to face meetings with people working in the same sector
• Professional Development
• Possibility of themed based meetings
• Access to outside facilitators
• Support for lone workers
• Not task orientated
• 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

What are the Local Issues on setting up a Network?

• Invite others who may be interested to the next meeting
• Need to engage more agencies
• 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

• Interacting with other practitioners very useful
• A network would be very advantageous
• Would have liked more information on Breaking Through
• Would like to have seen more agencies represented
• Good to meet other practitioners
• Not very informative
• A good opportunity for inter-agency work and information sharing
• Would like to be part of the network but not at committee level
• Looking forward to a productive Network

The consensus of opinion from the meeting showed there is an interest in setting up a support network. The group agreed to meet again as soon as possible
Agreed to meet on: Thursday 8th November 2007,
Venue: The West County Hotel
Time:   11.00am-1.00pm

Follow Up Day 8th November 2007

Following the meeting on 25th September in the Glor Theatre in Ennis, an further invitation was extended to  people working in the youth sector in  Ennis and surrounding areas, to attend a follow up day on 8th November 2007.
The purpose of this meeting was to:

• To bring together people working in the youth sector in Ennis and the  surrounding area
• To build on the meeting of 25th September 2007
• To facilitate setting up a local support network
• To progress the process of this initiative

Report on Follow Up Day 8th November 2007

The second meeting to develop a Local Support Network for practitioners working with young people at risk was held in The West County Hotel, Ennis on Thursday
8th November 2007

Karl McGealy, Breaking Through, South West Representative opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. A general discussion took place regarding some of the issues faced by practitioners working in the youth sector and  the need for support
In carrying out this work

Paul Flynn, (Chairman of Breaking Through and Manager of Crosscare, Aftercare Services) 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, both financially and logistically.

Marie Halligan (Development Officer, Breaking Through) referred to the minutes of the meeting of 25th September 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 or not, how often to meet, time of meetings and question of under-representation by some sectors.

The following points and questions were teased out during the meeting.

• Who are we? Independent Support Group-with linkages to other existing groups
• Will Breaking Through continue to support the group- Yes if that is what the group decides?
• The need for a committee- Not yet decided
• 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
• Where to from here?
• Agreed Karl Mc Gealy as local contact
• Agreed to meet again in December.
• Agreed to Meet quarterly
• Agree agenda before each meeting
• Format for meetings-discussion- lunch- themed workshop/speaker.

The Agenda for the next meeting will address some of the issues raised.

• Who are we?
• Elect a committee if necessary?
• Ground Rules
• Under-representation
• A shortlist of Themed workshops.

The meeting concluded with a 30 minute workshop presented by Christine Jenkins

If you would like more information about this group please contact Click Here: