Young people celebrate their experiences on the GRIT Programme, with (L-R) Minister for Social Development Alex Attwood; Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland; Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Naomi Long; and Liam Parker, GRIT Chairman.
With 89% of participants still in training and 94% reporting greater respect for others on completion of Programme
An innovative new programme for addressing the needs of young people who face barriers to fulfilling their potential was recognised today (28 May 2010) in Belfast City Hall at an event to mark the completion of the inaugural Gerry Rogan Initiative Trust (GRIT) Residential Experience Programme.
Supported by the International Fund for Ireland and the Department for Social Development, the Programme has peace building and reconciliation at its core and one of the main aims is to help young people at risk of dropping out of training and give them the capacity to make better life choices. An estimated 15% of 16-20 year olds in Northern Ireland are currently not in education, employment or training. Youth unemployment on the whole costs the local economy ca. £250 million annually.
The innovative delivery methodology employed in the GRIT Programme challenges participants through in-depth personal development and exploration activities. The Programme includes a combination of residential events and one-to-one mentoring sessions aimed at keeping young people engaged with training through improving self-confidence and respect for others, and empowering them to make positive choices for their futures.
The cross-community nature of the Programme provided participants with an opportunity – for some, for the first time in their lives – to meet and mix with other young people from different community backgrounds.
123 young people, 16-19 year olds, from throughout Northern Ireland participated in the GRIT Programme from April 2008 to March 2010. A post-programme evaluation demonstrated very positive and encouraging results. For example: 89% of participants have remained in training, 90% reported increased self-confidence, and 94% indicated that as a direct result of the Programme they had a greater respect for others.
Denis Rooney CBE, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, said: “Providing support for initiatives that will have a lasting positive impact on peace building and reconciliation long after the Fund ceases to exist is one of our key priorities.
“The resounding success of the GRIT Programme is testament to the importance of supporting work that ensures the most marginalised of our young people are given opportunities to fulfil their potential and share their hopes for the future with young people from different cultural backgrounds.
“I am very pleased to formally announce today that following the great success of the recently completed GRIT Programme the Board of the International Fund for Ireland has approved funding for a second two-year programme.”
Alex Attwood, Minister for Social Development, said: “By funding the GRIT initiative, my Department is giving young people at risk of falling out of training the opportunity and encouragement to focus on realising their potential. It has been a pleasure meeting participants and hearing their personal experiences of positive changes in their lives made possible through this scheme.”
Liam Parker, Chairman of GRIT said: “GRIT’s initiation came about in memory and honour of the late Gerry Rogan who had a great respect for young people and a belief that every young person deserves a chance in life to maximise their potential. The initiative has proven to be a unique and successful model to support young people who are finding it difficult to remain within the training system, it has offered a range of supports to help them refocus and remain in training so as to reach their own potential and we are delighted to have been approved funding from IFI and DSD to continue to deliver the programme for a further two years.”
The GRIT Programme is delivered by the Gerry Rogan Initiative Trust in cooperation with Opportunity Youth.