New community worker for Newbuildings

He is Ryan McGee, and the appointment was made by the Western Education and Library Board.

Accepting the appointment, Ryan said: “I’ve been involved in full time youth work for the past 14 years. I am a fully qualified youth worker that has worked with many young people within youth clubs, youth organisations and residential settings over the years.

“I have a great passion for working with young people and challenging them and getting them involved in new challenges, experiencing new things and meeting new people, communities and cultures,” he said.

Commenting on his plans for the centre, Ryan said: “I plan to bring new fun, innovative, educational and developmental programmes for both male and female members. A lot of my work in the past has been involved with residential work, so I plan loads of educational and activity based trips and residentials also.

“I am currently setting up a new ‘youth forum’ which will involve a core youth led leadership team in helping me plan, develop and facilitate new programmes for the community. This group will also help plan cross community, cross culture events and residentials and be part of the planning of new programmes for members, including members’ discos, members’ programmes, etc.

“The programmes I will bring to the centre will involve a lot of educational and personal development themes. This will include opening our new youth café here and encourage our young people to take part in cooking programmes and run their own café, with the supervision of a leader,” he said.

For the female senior members Ryan has designated a room for ‘girls only’ who will be able to design their own room, plan their own new programmes and activities and have a space to chill out and relax. Programmes will include health and well-being, hair and beauty, music and drama.

Another feature of the work Ryan will be doing is planning numerous fundraisers throughout the year: “Not only will we be able to use that to plan trips away, but also to get everyone together, have a bit of craic and doing something positive for your community. I meet everyone soon and looking forward to getting everything up and running very soon.”