Bushmills young people celebrate five years of achievement in 'The Den'

The Den drop in centre has been providing activities for young people in the area for five years.

Invited guests from Moyle District Council and the Northern Area Children and Young People's Committee - a committee set up and led by the Health and Social Care Board, heard from the local young people about the activities provided over the years.

These have included air hockey, pool, high ropes course at the local Bushmills Education Centre, play station games, hill walking as well as organised trips include absailing and combat games.

The young people thanked the Bushmills Children and Young People's Planning Group for their support. They also extended their gratitude to the funders - Moyle Local Strategic Partnership, North Eastern Education and Library Board, Health and Social Care Board, Lottery Fair Share and Awards for All who have supported them in this initiative.

Jack Gault, Chair of the Bushmills Children and Young People's Planning Group and member of the Northern Area Children's and Young People's Committee, commended the young people for the success of the project. He said:

"The Den meets a need identified by the young people of Bushmills and furthermore it has been instrumental in meeting that local need.

"One of the main aims of children's services planning is to give young people a voice in shaping services to meet their needs. This project goes further in that young people are the main contributors to the design of the programmes."

Anne Hardy, Children Services Planner , Health and Social Care Board, commended the commitment and dedication of the project support workers, Judith Getty and Mervyn Greer as well as members of the Bushmills Children and Young People's Planning Group.

She said: "This is a great example of what can be achieved through partnership working. I would like to wish the young people of Bushmills every success with 'The Den' for the future."

Bushmills Children and Young People's Planning Group is a locality group of the Northern Area Children and Young People's Committee, led by the Health and Social Care Board.