Young people from across South and East Tyrone have gained a range of levels 3 training and personal development certification thanks to their participation in  a project funded by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI). The ‘Game Changer Project’, delivered by Galbally Youth and Community Association and funded through the IFI’s Personal Youth Development Programme (PYDP) provides young people with an alternative pathway into education, employment, or further training.

Galbally Youth and Community Associations’ ‘Game Changer’ project has been supported by the IFI since 2016 and welcomed 15 young participants from across South and East Tyrone to celebrate their achievements at an event in the community centre, located in Galbally, Dungannon. 

In recent years, the area has witnessed an increase in the number of young people involved in risk-taking behaviours e.g. drugs, alcohol, anti-social behaviour.  There has been an increase in the number of young people leaving school with no or low qualifications and more people suffering from poor mental health problems.  Due to its rurality, isolation is also an issue in the area – young people having no or little access to public transport which limits opportunities for training or employment. 

Speaking at the event, where participants discussed the impact, the project has had on their lives and how the range of accredited and non-accredited training and workshops they have received has opened up opportunities they would not have otherwise availed of.

IFI Chair, Paddy Harte said,

“A key element of all the IFI funded projects is securing tangible life changing outcomes for those who take part and the ‘game Changer’ project has been doing this successfully since our partnership began in 2016.

“The young people involved deserve great credit for their achievements – stepping outside your comfort zone can be daunting but seeing how much they have developed and progressed and the opportunities they are grasping demonstrates how important facilitating opportunities for all of our young people is.

“The IFI’s Personal Youth Development Programme was launched in 2015 and aims to help young people build and develop life skills that foster good relations, build confidence and resilience, and make them more employable.”

Participants were joined at the event by a wide range of partners who have worked with Galbally Youth and Community Association in their work supporting young people. Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Cllr Eugene McConnell also attended  where he commended the young people and also praised the new purpose-built young annex recently developed at the community centre which will serve as an important hub for young people in the area.

The ‘Game Changer’ project facilitated training across three levels - Personal Development & Good Relations, Skills & Social Development and Education & Employability Development. Since the partnership began in 2016, this project has supported young people from across Galbally, Cappagh and the surrounding villages and rural towns including Castlecaufield, Donaghmore, Pomeroy and Dungannon. 

Bridget Nugent, Project Co-Ordinator of the PYDP ‘Game Changer’ Project added,

“The Game Changer programme has been running for nearly 8 years and within that time we have been able to support nearly 100 young people through education, employment and training opportunities and provided 1-1 mentoring, counselling, driving incentives and most importantly a safe space where our young people feel comfortable to be themselves, to be heard and ask for help.

“We aim to support our young people in the best way possible to ensure their needs are met. Without the funding and support from the International Fund for Ireland this would not have been possible. We are very grateful to have had this opportunity and hope to continue this partnership and deliver this much needed work in our area".

Galbally Youth and Community Association (GYCA) is a grassroots community organisation based six miles outside Dungannon.  Established in 1993, GYCA has a key role in providing a range of social, cultural, and educational activities within the Galbally and Cappagh areas and surrounding rural hinterland.