YAFTA's awarded

Young people from the Newry & Mourne Youth Council and Down Youth Council (Education Authority), finally saw months of planning and hard work come to fruition with the YAFTAs (Youth and Future Talent Awards) event in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on 22nd March. This was a programme delivered in partnership between the youth councils and the Newry, Mourne & Down District Council.

These awards were created by young people for other young people and all aspects of the programme are planned, designed and managed by the youth councils. The aim of the youth awards is to raise the positive profile of young people and to celebrate those “unsung heroes”. Young people across our district are involved in some fantastic youth work programmes, volunteering, supporting of their peers, friends and family and this deserves to be highlighted and recognised.

Speaking at the event Vice Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick said ‘I would like to congratulate all of the young people nominated for these awards, whether individually or as a group, winner or runner up. The Youth and Future Talent Awards allows us all to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our young people. With the huge number of nominations highlighting the positive impact the young people have made in their own lives, their families lives, the wider communities and the District’.

There were 6 categories

Good Relations Award:

Winner: YEPIE Youth Exchange Programme

Runner Up: LOHAH, Kilkeel

Young Carer Award:

Winner: Chloe Watt

Runner Up: Niamh Kearney

Community Safety Award:

Winner: Killean Youth Group

Runner Up: Newry Youth Forum

Voice of Young People Award:

Winner: Tara Connolly

Runner Up: Ross Connolly

Creativity & Innovation Award:

Winner: Project 500, Assumption Grammar School

Runner Up: Carnagat Youth Group

Inspirational Young Person Award:

Winner: Ryan Bogues

Runner Up: Ryan McGivern

The event was supported by the Office of the First Minister & Deputy First Minister through its Good Relations Programme, the Policing & Community Safety Partnership, Newry Credit Union, KCYC Youth Forum EA, CR Wheels Downpatrick, FM Environmental Newry and Bayview Contracts Newry.