Youth Officer: Trevor Sweetman
  Sligo VEC
  Quay St
  Sligo
Telephone: 071 - 9138305 (direct line) / 9145025 (reception)
Fax: 071 - 9144121
E-mail: tsweetman[at]sligovec.ie

Welcome to the Youth Affairs section of County Sligo VEC.  In this section, you can find information about youth work in general, the VEC’s role in relation to youth work in Sligo, registration of youth work grousp and also on grants for youth groups.  We also have information here on the different organisations and activities catering for young people in Sligo.

If you would like any more information, please feel free to contact the Youth Officer, Trevor Sweetman.

What is Youth Work?

In the Youth Work Act, 2001, youth work is defined as:

A planned programme of education designed for the purpose of aiding and enhancing the personal and social development of young persons through their voluntary participation, and which is complementary to their formal academic or vocational education and training.

This normally includes groups such as the following:

Youth clubs                            Scouts, etc.                Special interest groups

Foróige Clubs                       Guides, etc.                Youth work services

Youth arts groups                 Girls’ Brigade             Youth work projects

Girls’ Friendly Society          Boys’ Brigade

 The definition of youth work does not include sports groups.  Support services for sports groups are provided in Sligo by Sligo Sport & Recreation Partnership.

Models of Youth Work

This document can be downloaded in two parts:

Click link to download first part (large file - 9.7MB):
Models of Youth Work, Louise Hurley & David Treacy, 1993 (first part)

Clink link to download second part (large file - 8.9MB):
Models of Youth Work, Louise Hurley & David Treacy, 1993 (second part)

 

NQSF seminar, Sligo, 20th September 2012:

Download seminar documents here:

 

NQSF Roadmap

 

NQSF resources

Role of Co. Sligo VEC

The work of Co. Sligo VEC in relation to youth work is funded and supported by the Department of Children & Youth Affairs (DCYA).  The role of the VEC includes: 

  • Supporting the development of youth work. 

  • Promoting the integration and coordination of youth work with other programmes, including educational programmes for young people. 

  • Grant administering agency for a number of DCYA funding schemes, as well as other government funded youth related schemes. 

  • Reporting to the DCYA and other government departments on projects and services funded through the VECs, including the validation of annual reports and funding applications. 

  • Implementation of the National Quality Standards Framework for youth work and support for any arrangements for the implementation process. 

  • Administration of the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme. 

  • Supporting best practice in child protection and child welfare in youth work provision. 

  • Participating in the work of the Children’s Services Committees regarding formal and informal education, including youth service provision.

Grant Scheme

The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme aims to support aims to support voluntary youth club activities at local level.  Details of the scheme for 2012 have been announced by the Department of Children & Youth Affairs and the scheme is being administered locally by the VEC.

The scheme is intended to support the work of volunteer-led youth groups in the county, with a particular focus on those with members aged 10-21 years.  If you would like your group to be considered for funding from this grant scheme, please complete and return the grant application form by Friday, 29th June 2012 (please note that late applications can not be accepted).

An Information Leaflet and Application Form for the scheme are available to download below.  Copies of the form are also available from the VEC offices, or by email from tsweetman[at]sligovec.ie.

If you would like any assistance with the form or if you have any questions, please do feel free to get in touch with the Youth Officer, Trevor Sweetman.  Assistance can be provided by telephone or by arranging for the Youth Officer to call to your group.

 Points to note in relation to the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme:

  • Priority is given to groups with members between the ages of 10 and 21 years.
  • Groups must be volunteer led and operated.  This grant scheme is not open to staff-led groups.
  • In cases where there is more than one section in a group (e.g. Scout Group with Cubs, Beavers and Venturers / youth club with Junior and Senior sections), only one application should be made for the combined group as a whole.  (Please note however that the numbers in the whole group will be taken into account when any grant is allocated.)
  • Please note that sports clubs are not eligible for funding under the terms of this scheme.  Such groups should contact the Sport & Recreation Partnership.

Closing date for receipt of applications:

Friday, 29th June 2012 (please note that late applications can not be accepted).

Downloads:

Contact details for further information or assistance:

If you have any queries on this grant scheme, please feel free to get in touch with Youth Officer, Trevor Sweetman, ph. 071-9138305 / 087-7678327 / email tsweetman[at]sligovec.ie.

Funding for the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme is being provided by the Department of Children & Youth Affairs.

Registration

Youth work clubs and groups are currently being invited to apply to register with County Sligo VEC. To do this, simply complete and return the registration form (available below).

Why should my youth group register with the VEC?

County Sligo VEC has a role to support the development of youth work in the county.  As part of this role, the VEC requires all youth groups wishing to avail of financial support from the VEC to firstly apply for registration.  Registering with the VEC will also ensure that your group is given the opportunity to shape how any support and development is developed and gives access to information and advice.  When groups are registered, it will also help the VEC to meet youth needs in the entire county and will support our case for any additional resources that may be required.

Is my group eligible to apply for registration with the VEC?

Youth work groups are eligible to apply for registration with the VEC. Sports groups are not eligible. This normally includes groups such as the following: Youth clubs Scouts, etc. Special interest youth work groups A full list of registration conditions is contained at the back of registration application form.

How do I apply to register my group with the VEC?

Complete and return the Application Form for Registration.  Completed forms should be returned to:
Youth Officer, County Sligo VEC, Quay Street, Sligo

If you have any questions or would like some help with the form:

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you would like any help with this form. The Youth Officer can provide assistance by telephone or by calling out in person. Contact: Trevor Sweetman, Youth Officer, Co. Sligo VEC, Quay Street, Sligo Ph. 071-9138305 / 087-7678327 / Email tsweetman[at]sligovec.ie