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| Carrickfergus YMCA Members in Stormont |
Thu 02 October 2008 |
Four youth members and staff of Carrickfergus YMCA were part of a YMCA delegation to Stormont , led by Stephen Turner the national secretary for the YMCA's of Ireland .The group meet with a number of MLA's to talk about the value of youth service in N Ireland and their concerns about the future budget for youth services .In the proposed budget youth services , which has a relatively small budget , looks as though it receive less than inflation increases over the next three years. Whilst there is some variations ,about 20% of YMCA funding comes indirectly or directly through this funding . In total twenty young people and youth leaders from YMCA's across Ulster meet with MLA's and spoke of the value of youth service and what it meant to them . The team from Carrickfergus YMCA consisted of Rebecca Carlisle , Amanda McClure , who attend Carrick college , Ioan Hughes - Youth leader, Emma McIlwrath - centre leader and Bob Loade - General secretary . Amanda and Rebecca were able to tell the MLA's present about their involvement in YMCA run programmes and the skills they had gained . Both had been involved in the young women's group looking at issues effecting women today and had taken part in residential weekends looking at issues of citizenship , environmental awareness and diversity . All important topics for young people in Ulster today . They have had fun as well , but felt that youth services were important and should be grown and fostered to allow more young people to get involved .
Ioan and Emma were both members of the YMCA who have moved onto leadership role .Emma has just completed a degree in Youth Work .
There were a number of funny incident's during the visit . Once the group was assembled , Basil McCrea MLA who had organised the visit , invited Ioan to the microphone and told him that now one was is one opportunity to get his personal message across .Ioan looked very serious and moved across to the microphone . He gazed at the assembled group and said " I am available" . which had everyone laughing .
Amanda and Rebecca who had been very impressed with the building and the parliament chambers and expressed concerns about the overall cost , which lead to a quite detailed discussion about MLA's expenses . They were however very disappointed to find the MLA's only had rich tea biscuits for their coffee . This lead to a fairly rye comment from a MLA that they make savings where they can .
The meeting had a serious intend however and the MLA's present , which included Reg Empey and Dominic Bradly , did listen carefully to what the young people had to say about the issues facing them and the real benefits the Youth Service in both the voluntary and statutory sectors brought to them.
The YMCA members enjoyed the visit and would like to thank you to Basil McCrea and John McCallister who acted as hosts for the visit , and also to Roy Beggs MLA who took time out of his schedule to meet with the group as they arrived .
And in case you are wondering Ioan is still available
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