Strathfoyle youth help St Vincent de Paul

The evening was to celebrate the success of the young people's accomplishments during the SYCH project.

The SYCH project is a group of eleven young people from the Strathfoyle area who were triumphant in securing monies from the Big Deal Lottery Fund, to enable them to take part in a variety of projects to help them attain their Youth achievement Bronze Award. The projects undertaken were WELB Good Relations Programme, Northern Bank Money Matters Programme, an Entrepreneurial project, a Cooking project, and a variety of day trips

As part of their Entrepreneurial project the young people opened and successfully ran a business called the Smoothie Heroes within the youth centre under the guidance of Stephen Doherty. The young people established a business which they felt was unique to the centre, selling freshly made smoothies and toasties, encouraging the young people of Strathfoyle to think and eat healthier.

They operated the business within the youth centre opening five evenings a week over a period of six weeks. During the course of the business the young people addressed issues in relation to Marketing, advertising, stock , and business management.

The project has enhanced the young people's skills in personal organization, time management, leadership development, and interpersonal relationships. It also increased their potential for the future, igniting social awareness, and developing their talents to make a unique, innovative, and creative contribution to the world of work.

The group decided from the onset that should they have success and make a profit, they would give it to a local charity. They chose the local St Vincent De Paul as they admire the quiet workings of the local conference within the estate, helping local people in times of need.

John Doherty the president of the local St Peter's conference accepted and thanked the young people for their kind donation saying: "All too often we hear negative comments about young people, and about Strathfoyle, but we know and appreciate the many good deeds that young people within the Strathfoyle area strive to do. On behalf of the conference I thank you all."