New social media tool inspiring young people in Carrick

A local social media Facebook page has been launched to provide a space for agencies to share information about education support services, helpful resources and training opportunities for young people and their parents.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Nov 2017, 10:42 BST
Updated 6th Dec 2017, 12:57 BST
Roy Beggs, Chairperson of the CYPSP Carrickfergus Locality Planning Group launching the education page in Carrickfergus Town Hall.Roy Beggs, Chairperson of the CYPSP Carrickfergus Locality Planning Group launching the education page in Carrickfergus Town Hall.
Roy Beggs, Chairperson of the CYPSP Carrickfergus Locality Planning Group launching the education page in Carrickfergus Town Hall.

The page - ‘Carrickfergus Community Education Forum’, was recently launched by The Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) Carrickfergus Locality Planning Group.

Locality Planning Group member organisations including Carrickfergus YMCA, Northern Regional College, Sure Start, Primary and Post Primary Schools, Education Welfare Services and community representatives identified through a local needs assessment that mechanism for reaching parents in relation to support their children’s education could be coordinated and done better together.

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MLA Roy Beggs, Chairperson of the CYPSP Carrickfergus Locality Planning Group, supported the development of the support platform for parents.

Key speakers attending the launch Carrickfergus Education Page in Carrickfergus Town Hall; (Left to right) Lynn Heatley, Parenting NI, Deputy Mayor Cllr Johnston for Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, Roy Beggs, MLA and Chairperson of CYPSP Carrickfergus Locality Planning Group, Selena Ramsey, CYPSP Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Una Casey, CYPSP Health and Social Care Board and Jennifer Jackson, local Parent. (submitted pics).Key speakers attending the launch Carrickfergus Education Page in Carrickfergus Town Hall; (Left to right) Lynn Heatley, Parenting NI, Deputy Mayor Cllr Johnston for Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, Roy Beggs, MLA and Chairperson of CYPSP Carrickfergus Locality Planning Group, Selena Ramsey, CYPSP Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Una Casey, CYPSP Health and Social Care Board and Jennifer Jackson, local Parent. (submitted pics).
Key speakers attending the launch Carrickfergus Education Page in Carrickfergus Town Hall; (Left to right) Lynn Heatley, Parenting NI, Deputy Mayor Cllr Johnston for Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, Roy Beggs, MLA and Chairperson of CYPSP Carrickfergus Locality Planning Group, Selena Ramsey, CYPSP Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Una Casey, CYPSP Health and Social Care Board and Jennifer Jackson, local Parent. (submitted pics).

Speaking at the launch Roy Beggs said: “School, parents and the local community all working together can reduce educational under attainment and open up greater life-time opportunities.

“I am aware that there has been an absence of any Carrickfergus

based numeracy and literacy classes and difficulty to date in gathering 12 adult learners to meet NRC funding requirements for a tutor. I hope that the new Facebook page, “Carrickfergus Community Education Forum” will help parents by sharing good advice and by sign-posting to local services. 

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“My Grandad Beggs started work at the Bleachworks in Ballyclare at age 15 where he laboured for 55 years.

Key speakers attending the launch Carrickfergus Education Page in Carrickfergus Town Hall; (Left to right) Lynn Heatley, Parenting NI, Deputy Mayor Cllr Johnston for Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, Roy Beggs, MLA and Chairperson of CYPSP Carrickfergus Locality Planning Group, Selena Ramsey, CYPSP Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Una Casey, CYPSP Health and Social Care Board and Jennifer Jackson, local Parent. (submitted pics).Key speakers attending the launch Carrickfergus Education Page in Carrickfergus Town Hall; (Left to right) Lynn Heatley, Parenting NI, Deputy Mayor Cllr Johnston for Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, Roy Beggs, MLA and Chairperson of CYPSP Carrickfergus Locality Planning Group, Selena Ramsey, CYPSP Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Una Casey, CYPSP Health and Social Care Board and Jennifer Jackson, local Parent. (submitted pics).
Key speakers attending the launch Carrickfergus Education Page in Carrickfergus Town Hall; (Left to right) Lynn Heatley, Parenting NI, Deputy Mayor Cllr Johnston for Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, Roy Beggs, MLA and Chairperson of CYPSP Carrickfergus Locality Planning Group, Selena Ramsey, CYPSP Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Una Casey, CYPSP Health and Social Care Board and Jennifer Jackson, local Parent. (submitted pics).

“Education helped my dad and his 11 brothers and sisters to a wide range of employment opportunities and I hope that greater education awareness will let others families benefit too,” he said.

Hedley Webb, Carrickfergus College principal, said: “We are delighted to see a one stop shop online for all things educational in the Carrickfergus area. CYPSP should be congratulated on their work to get this up and running for families”.

The Locality Planning Group extended special thanks to Parenting Northern Ireland who facilitated a series of engagement sessions with parents prior to the development of the Facebook page.

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For more information about the work of the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership Carrickfergus Locality Planning Group visit www.cypsp.org

Or to view the Carrickfergus Community Facebook Page visit www.facebook.com/Carrickfergus-Community- Education-Forum

Related topics:FacebookRoy BeggsPrimary Schools