Last week, Team Tomar ran their first ever Summer Programme in Lismore Co. Waterford.
The Summer Programme offered young people in the West Waterford area the opportunity to take part in Module 1 of Leadership for Life and a taster of NFTE. The week was strongly supported by the Carrick-on-Suir and Portlaw Foróige staff.In total, the Summer Programme had 38 consistent participants, with over half of the young people currently not in any Foróige club. The programme had young people from all backgrounds including those seeking refuge in Ireland from Syria, young people in care and those from the travelling community. Participants ranged in age from 12 – 18 years old.
The participants undertook NFTE and Leadership for the first 4 days of the week and were then treated to a day in Waveworld, Clonea where they engaged in beach games, kayaking and water trampolining. The week also included a very inspirational talk from guest speaker Pádraig Fitzgerald, International Programme Manager of the Hope Foundation.
Following successful completion of the respective programmes, the young people were then invited to a Graduation Ceremony in Lismore Heritage Centre where family and friends were invited to attend – the ceremony was a full house. The participants were presented with their certificates by Foróige’s Rachel Murphy and given the chance to pose for a photo in a Foróige cap and gown.
The Graduation Ceremony was then followed by a Family Fun Day in Lismore GAA Community Centre, Co. Waterford. The Family Fun Day was hosted by staff, volunteers and Beat FM, and was open to all those in the West Waterford area. Families flocked from surrounding towns and villages to enjoy the sunshine, garden games, face-painting, colouring competition, food and fun. There was also an information stand at the event which provided parent and adults in attendance with information on Foróige Clubs, Foróige Juniors and Special Interest Groups.
In addition to funder The Tomar Trust, this week was also supported by Local Link who provided transport free of charge for young people travelling from Dungarvan to the Summer Programme, Lismore GAA and Blackwater Community Hall who allowed complimentary use of their premises.
The Tomar team are absolutely blown away by the success of their premier Summer Programme and feel that the week truly made an impact on the young people in attendance. The week was also an excellent way of showcasing and spreading awareness of the work Foróige does and will be doing in West Waterford.
