Laois Comhairle na nÒg hosted their annual youth conference and AGM this week in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise.
This is where the Laois Comhairle members got to culminate all the amazing work done throughout the year.
Comhairle na nÒg are councils for the youths located in 31 locations in the Republic of Ireland, which gives the youth in Ireland the opportunity to be involved in the progress of local services and policies.
In the weeks leading up to the whole event Laois Comhairle members prepared PowerPoints, videos to showcase everything they have taken part in throughout the year.
“We had fantastic speakers throughout the day which included Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Thomasina Connell and James McInerney (make up artist and former runner up in Netflix Glow Up programme) who gave speeches and presentations on positive Mental Health and what it has meant to them.
“We were so grateful to have our AGM in the Midlands Park for the first time since 2019 as Covid forced us to have it online and it was fantastic to have it in person again,” said Niamh Kavanagh, who is co-ordinator of Laois Comhairle.
The day began with Ice Breakers to introduce everyone before moving on the welcome speeches from Niamh Kavanagh and chairperson Lauren Traynor who facilitated the day.
The agenda of the day started with a short presentation on what Comhairle na nÒg means followed by young members experience on what they got out of Comhairle and what it meant to them.
National executive member Lucy Doyle spoke of her role followed by Darragh Prendergast who is the PRO.
Next came the open space session which gave young members the opportunity to speak about local issues that are affecting them, to open up a discussion in a safe environment and giving the space to allow this to happen.
There was then a short presentation by CYPSC which Niamh Dowler and Deirdre Phelan made on the new website “open up”. This new website will have information on all the local services around Laois and Offaly under one platform which will be easy to access.
James McInerney then spoke about positive mental health, his experience and held a Q&A with the young members.
Next up was Ben Cambell who did a small presentation on the topic of positive Mental Health and spoke about the Colour Fun Run, organised by Laois Comhairle na nOg, “in which we wanted to create positive memories and bring the Laois community together”.
“This was the topic that was picked last year and we worked on creating a proactive change showing and stating that it takes time and effort to put a plan in place.
“After lunch we held the World Càfe, where there were discussions, ideas and solutions – followed by the voting of next year’s topic, which will be ‘Discrimination in Laois’.
“We had such a great interest when the expression of interest forms went around for young members to join the Comhairle Group in Laois. We finished off with an evaluation before everyone went home.
“We had great representation throughout the whole of Laois and we want to say a huge thank you to Portlaoise Family Resource Centre, Mountmellick Family Resource Centre, Mountmellick and Portlaoise Youth Reach. LTAG, Youth Work Ireland Laois, Mountmellick Community School, Clonaslee Community School, Colàiste Ìosagàin Portarlington, Portlaoise College, Dunamase College, Scoil Chriost Ri, St Mary CBS, Heywood Community School, St. Fergals Rathdowney and Mountrath Community School.”
Rose Doolin and Anne Maire Kirrane from Laois County Council were thanked for their input as were LTAG, local family resource centres, youth work Ireland Laois, local community guards, local Laois councillors Thomasina Connell, Padraig Fleming, CYPSC, Credit Union Portlaoise and Mark O’Dwyer, Participation Coordinator.
“Overall our three main aims was to promote Comahirle na nÒg, explain what Comhairle na nÒg does and pick a topic that is currently an issue in Co. Laois.
“After yesterday’s event we certainly ticked off all the boxes and from the feedback so far it was an successful event.”
You can check out a selection of images from the event below.
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