Youth Work Ireland Cork

Youth Work Ireland Cork (YWIC) are a not for profit organisation working with young people from Cork City. Our vision is to provide a quality, holistic, inclusive and empowering service for the well-being of all young people. We aim to provide a community based response to young peoples needs by offering them the opportunity to contribute to and participate in social eduction, artistic and recreational activities.

Our methodologies include consultation, group work, harm reduction, one to one support, drop in service, youth participation, research and development. Our approach offers an integration of services in the community by providing young people with: a creative outlet, opportunities to develop their social skills, information to young people and adults on related issues, developing community services links with schools, agencies and sports clubs, supports for parents, developing a family network, allowing young people to become their own advocates, supporting young people in becoming politicized.

Youth Work Ireland Cork operates from the following clearly defined operational procedure; Young People’s needs are addressed by Youth Workers. Youth Worker’s needs are addressed by the Management and Administration Personnel Organisational needs are addressed by the Board of Management.

Youth Work Ireland Cork is a member of Youth WOrk Ireland which is a federation of 22 Local Member Youth Services and a national office which combine and operate an Integrated Youth Services Model which delivers a range of targeted projects, services, youth clubs and programmes to young people. The aim of Youth Work Ireland and its Member Youth Services is to provide every young person with the opportunities to get tools for life and change communities.

Youth Work Ireland Cork started off life as “The Cork Youth Federation” a VEC funded initiative special project for youth (SPY project) in the area in 1989 with Mairead Tobin as the project worker. This project was located within the parochial hall in Churchfield and was known locally as “Youthlinks”. In 1994 the project’s name was changed to “The Gurranabraher Youth Development Centre”. In 1999 the Cork Youth Federation ceased operations and the National Youth Federation (now Youth Work Ireland) took over the management of the SPY project, appointing David O’Donovan as the manager in 2000. Eleanor O’Sullivan became the project coordinator in 2000. In 2012 David O’Donovan stepped down and Eleanor O’Sullivan assumed the role of Director of Services and Manager

A local management board was formed in 2004, tasked with eventually taking responsibility for all Youth Work Ireland operations back to Cork; this process culminated in January 2010 when a new company was formed.

Youth Work Ireland Cork, officially became responsible for all Youth Work Ireland activities in the Cork city region. Youth Work Ireland Cork became a full member youth service of Youth Work Ireland in May 2009.

The project changed premises a number of times before moving to its current location in September 2008. It now employs 3 full time staff, 3 part time posts and 5 part time VEC tutors to cater for the needs of young people in the area. The Arts Programme started in 2000. The Outreach Drugs Task Force project commenced operations in 2001.

Cumann Spraoi Limited trading as Youth Work Ireland Cork is a company limited by guarantee (Co. No. 470849) and a registered charity (CHY 18908). A voluntary Board of Directors is responsible for the overall management of the company.