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Headstrong’s Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) receives many requests to speak at conferences and events throughout the country. One such request was from the Community Recovery and Reconnect (RNR) project that received funding from Genio in September 2010 to run a pilot, community-based project with an emphasis on peer support.

Among the project’s aims are the development of peer-led training, workshops, support groups and initiatives in the mid west regions including Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary. The YAP was invited to speak at a conference titled The Power of Peer Support held on December 1^st in Limerick.

Darren Scully and Daire Ni Bhraoin volunteered to represent YAP and the main theme of their presentation focused on the importance of listening to your target group when delivering a project. They emphasised how the strength of Headstrong is the organisation’s ability to listen to and work with young people in a collaborative manner and take their views on board.

Youth Engagement Officer James Barry who attended the session said: “This was my first time to attend such an event with YAP members and it was quite powerful to see the effect they had on the room. The maturity and delivery of their presentation allowed them to engage with their audience whilst also showing the attendees that young people can have a voice."

If you or any group would like our Youth Advisory Panel to speak at an event please feel free to contact James on james@headstrong.ie.