Larne YMCA's New Year programme

This week has been spent completing the pre-inspection report for the annual inspection in February, which has prompted Larne YMCA to review and discuss various topics.

Meanwhile, afternoon sessions are operating as normal with the children taking part in activities such as junk art, baking, free play, den building and games.

Dean and his team of staff, volunteers and junior leaders were on a very early Spring cleaning binge last weekend, clearing out cupboards and making numerous trips to the local recycling centre. The organisation wishes to thank all those who gave up their free time last weekend to tackle this job.

The youth club resumed this week with sessions including hand massages, cookery, art, and the DOE-funded Road Safety project.

Dean is also in communication with the Diana Award staff as Larne YMCA puts plans together for a review of the Anti Bullying Ambassadors programme.

This will involve young people and their teachers, as well as Diana Award staff, reflecting on the programme and identifying possible improvements.

This weekend sees the start of the 2016 RLSS NPLQ programme with eight young people committing to the training to qualify as pool lifeguards. The programme covers the RLSS syllabus as well as youth work sessions on team work and communication, which will be delivered by Joanne and Adam.

This project is funded by the Education Authority and their support is appreciated.

The EA-funded Autism Support Project resumes next Monday night. As well as co-ordinating the project, Joanne is continuing to work in an effort to secure funds for this vital project post-March 2016.

Finally, the Youth Service are conducting a survey to assess the needs of young people and to help inform the work they do, and where resources are most needed. The EA invites young people, their parents and any other key stakeholders to express their opinions via a short online survey which can be found at www.ywp.org.uk. If you have a few minutes please share your views.