Limerick Youth Service

Limerick Youth Service was founded in 1973 is an integrated youth organisation and a leading provider of youth work,
education, employability & training projects & programmes for young people.

LYS supports diverse and innovative youth work projects that include Youth & Family Support Projects, International Youth Work, Limerick Comhairle na nÓg, Garda Youth Diversion Projects, Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing Project, youth cafes, Volunteer Led Youth Clubs & a Youth information service.
LYS provides second chance educational, employability & training opportunities for early school leavers that included iScoil, Leaving Cert Applied, Employability Skills, Bakery Project, Catering Course, Early Childhood Care & Office, Hospitality & Tourism Skills.

Our Mission is
‘‘Connecting and Supporting Young People to reach their full potential

Theme 1 Inclusive & Integrated Youth Service
To develop and build a safe, integrated and inclusive youth service for young people in Limerick City & County.

1.1 Young people have access to safe, accessible and youth friendly facilities and services where they can socialize, develop and have fun.
1.2 Regardless of level of need, young people benefit from a range of high quality and responsive youthwork activities, supports and services.
1.3 As part of an integrated service, marginalized, vulnerable and at risk Young People are prioritized and supported to access a holistic range of service and supports
1.4 Young people benefit from programmes and services that promote personal development, communication, positive relationships and physical and mental health and well being

Theme 2 Youth Participation
To ensure that young people are actively involved and have real influence and voice in decision-making on matters affecting their lives, both directly and indirectly.

2.1 Young people are encouraged and supported to be active citizens and engage in political, social and civic life.
2.2 Young People have access to appropriate and relevant information and are supported to develop the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need to make informed choices about their lives.
2.3 Young people are involved in the process of developing, planning, implementing and evaluating programmes, activities, projects and services

Theme 3 Supporting Volunteers
To attract, support and sustain active volunteers so they may positively contribute to improving the lives of young people, and to strengthening communities and civil society.

3.1 Volunteers are supported and facilitated to provide a high quality safe experience to young people.
3.2 A greater number of parents and volunteers and supported and sustained to work with young people in their local communities
3.3 Young People themselves have meaningful opportunities for volunteering
3.4 Volunteers receive training which is relevant and appropriate to meeting the needs of young people with whom they work.

Theme 4 Young People achieving their potential
To empower and facilitate young people to develop personally, economically and socially to meet their needs and realise their full potential.

4.1 Young people are engaged in learning and have access to relevant formal and informal education and training opportunities and alternative routes to qualifications.

4.2 Young people are supported to progress to formalised skills training programmes/courses

4.3 Young people are supported to develop their skills, employability and increase their self-sufficiency through the development of key life skills

Theme 5 Enabling our Strategy
To build a strong organisation that is open to learning, responsive to change and committed to its ongoing development.

5.1 LYS is continuing to strengthen governance and organisational management to ensure effective delivery of this Plan.

5.2 LYS is building knowledge, skills & capacity so as to be proactive in meeting the needs of young people.

5.3 LYS is developing a strong evidence and research base for our work and establishing robust data collection and evaluation mechanisms.

5.4 LYS is engaging in collaborative partnerships and activities in order to maximise outcomes for young people

5.5 LYS is communicating and promoting our work and profiling our achievements.