Young people celebrate success

The event applauded the young people on their achievements gained through Cedar’s Youth Matters Service which operates within the Belfast, Southern and Western Health and Social Care Trust areas. The group of young people opened the event by performing a ‘drum circle presentation’, playing hand-drums and percussion in a circle formation.

The Youth Matters Service provides a range of programmes and activities that promote confidence and self esteem for young people with disabilities up to 20 years of age. The service to supports young people to access to participate in inclusive activities within their local area which will impact positively on their general health and wellbeing whilst also offering the opportunity for parents and carers to have a short break.

Stephen Mathews, Chief Executive of The Cedar Foundation said, “Today we congratulate the young people on their achievements with qualifications gained in Youth Work, Disability Awareness Training, Human Rights, Good Relations and Cookery. We are also recognising those who volunteered with the 2009 Special Olympics in Foyle and the young people who took part over the last year in the Youth Exchange with German partner group, Josefheim Bigge, funded by the Youth Council for Northern Ireland.”

Giving a young person’s perspective, 19 year old Austen Burns who spoke at the event commented; “Over the past couple of years I have found many valuable positives with the service from Cedar. From meeting new people to learning new skills, along with participating in various activities and it has been great to have the opportunity to take part in the Youth Exchange.”

David Guilfoyle, Chief Executive of the Youth Council for Northern Ireland (YCNI) said, “I am delighted to be associated with any event where the achievements of young people are celebrated. In this case I am especially pleased since the Youth Matters project has been designed to offer young people with disabilities greater opportunities to participate in a wide range of exciting activities, including an international exchange supported by the Youth Council with funding from the EU Youth Action Programme.”

The Cedar Foundation works in partnership with disabled people across Northern Ireland providing quality support, care, accommodation and training services to enable disabled adults and children to participate in all aspects of community life. To find out more tel: 02890 666188 or log on to www.cedar-foundation.org