Jul 4, 2024 | Current Vacancies, News & Events
Our Board is expanding to recruit 5 new non-Executive Directors
ABOUT KDYS:
Founded in 1971, KDYS is a voluntary youth work organisation providing a range of programmes and services to young people and communities across the entire county of Kerry, the Beara Peninsula and the North West Cork region of Duhallow.
KDYS is a registered charity and operates in accordance with the Charity Regulator guidance. KDYS is Governance Code Compliant and was awarded Triple Lock status in January 2024.
Our vision is for all young people to be valued and supported to achieve their full potential as participating members of the community.
Our mission is that KDYS is a community-based youth work organisation committed to serving all young people in a safe, fun and positive environment, through the provision of youth spaces, services, mentoring, training and ongoing opportunities for their holistic development, and by advocating for their needs.
Our goals for 2023 to 2026 are:
- Support young people in Kerry to achieve their full potential
- Provide targeted and integrated supports to meet the needs of young people in Kerry and their families
- Be recognised as a centre of excellence for youth work
- Establish ourselves as an independent young person-centred charity
- Strengthen our governance, management and internal coordination
- Be an organisation that enables staff and volunteers to deliver and develop
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
In line with our goals for 2023 to 2026 we are now planning to strengthen our Board with governance, management and internal coordination.
KYDS is recruiting an additional FOUR new Non-Executive Directors and are seeking a suitable person to take on the role of Chairperson. We are interested in hearing from interested applicants with one or more the following skills:
- Legal
- Marketing and PR
- Governance and Risk
- Community Youth and Family Support skills
- Volunteer/service user representation
- Fundraising and social enterprise
- Human Resources.
New Board members will also be expected to Chair or participate in subcommittees of the Board as required.
ELIGIBILITY
Previous board experience is desirable.
Willingness to work with the KDYS Youth Advisory Group and to take the wishes and views of young people in line with our commitment to youth participation is also a priority for KDYS Board members.
Candidates with local knowledge, previous Board experience and a background working with young people and in the voluntary sector are preferred.
Our goal is to maintain our current 50/50 gender balance.
INFORMATION
The Board meets 9 times per year. Most of these meetings are virtual, the others are held in Killarney or Tralee Co. Kerry. The Board meets in person at least twice a year.
KDYS Board may also call single item/specific purpose meetings and working groups on occasion as needed.
KDYS will provide new Board members induction training and on-going Board development.
The term of office is three years with an option to be reappointed for a second and third term.
This is a Trustee role. In accordance with Regulatory requirements this role is not remunerated. Necessary and vouched expenses are reimbursed following approval by the Board Chairperson.
HOW TO APPLY
Please email a brief CV and cover letter to the following email address: boardrecruitment@kdys.ie
Applications will close on Friday 23rd August 2024.
Please note: KDYS will be appointing a new Chairperson in the near future. Prospective Directors are welcome to indicate an interest in this role in their application.
May 13, 2024 | News & Events
KDYS Youth Information delivers a ‘KDYS Transfer Programme’ to 6th class students across Kerry. The programme aims to support young people in their transition into secondary school.
KDYS have been delivering the KDYS Transfer Programmes to schools across the county for over 15 years and have impacted on more than 35 schools annually since 2021. The programme was researched and produced by KDYS youth workers, utilising both internal and external resources and was reviewed and updated in 2022 by the then 6th class students from several schools across the county. The programme is delivered in a fun, informative and interactive manner.
KDYS Transfer Programme is made up of four sessions delivered weekly using a workbook. . This workbook will remain with the student at the end of the programme. Each session focuses on a different aspect of secondary school. The programme aims to reduce anxiety associated with moving onto second level education. Young people are encouraged to ask questions, to identify their concerns and expectations. To get to know as much as they can about their new school prior to moving in September.
In 2024 KDYS Youth Information introduced a pilot peer education programme, to enable 4th year students to deliver the programme to 6th class students. The programme has been piloted in Castleisland and Killorglin. The Transition Year students in Castleisland Community College and Killorglin Community College have trained to deliver the KDYS Transfer Programme to three primary schools in Castleisland and one primary school in Killorglin.
This programme provides TY students with the opportunity to gain additional skills and to share their knowledge of life in secondary school with 6th class students. The 6th class students in turn get to build positive relationships with the TY students, providing them with a readymade support network when they move into secondary school in September.
For more information regarding the programme, do not hesitate to contact KDYS Youth Information: Anne on 087 7801575 or Shannon on 085 8075996.
annemurphy@kdys.ie or shannonosullivan@kdys.ie
Apr 5, 2024 | Leisure, Sports/Travel, News & Events
What is there to do in Kerry?
Sports/ Clubs & Societies
- (KRSP) Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership Tralee – aims to increase participation in sport and physical activity and, thereby, the creation of a more active, more inclusive, and healthier society. Contact information 066 718 4776 / info@kerryrecreationandsports.ie
- GAA Football clubs in Kerry- https://www.kerrygaa.ie/clubs/
- Visit the Aquadome, an indoor pool with fun slides and water effects. Open 10am-10pm Monday – Friday and 10am-7pm weekends. https://aquadome.ie/
- Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre Open 10am-10pm Monday – Thursday, 10am-9pm Friday and 10am-7pm weekends. https://killarney.coralleisure.ie/
- Tralee Park runs happen every Saturday @9:30am. Take place at Tralee Town Park, Denny Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
There are multiple clubs and societies available in the MTU Munster Technological University. To view clubs https://www.mtu.ie/campus-life/clubs/ and to view societies https://www.mtu.ie/campus-life/societies/.
There are various clubs and societies depending on your interests. If you need more information contact KDYS Youth Information 087 7801575 / 085 8075996.
Entertainment
- Bowling Buddies in Tralee https://bowlingbuddiestralee.com/
- Omniplex Cinema located in Killarney and Tralee
- Killarney Skate Park located beside Killarney Sports and Leisure club.
Adventure
In Kerry we are fortunate to have some of the most beautiful beaches, national parks and hidden gems dotted across the county. For more information visit https://www.discoverkerry.com/
Mar 27, 2024 | News & Events
In Spring 2023 the Listowel Tidy Towns committee approached KDYS youth worker, Edel, looking for help with picking up litter around our town. Young people who attend the KDYS Listowel Youth Café weekly were asked if they would like to help and a group, The Green Beans, was formed.
The group of nine young people regularly helped throughout the spring and summer, litter picking, weeding, maintaining areas and giving ideas how to make the town and the Youth café more environmentally friendly.
Then in the Autumn the group were given the opportunity to start a Youth Climate Justice Project under the guidance of Youth Work Ireland. This project focused on increasing the engagement of young people in climate justice activities through creating an evidenced, manualised programme of developmental group work that would support young people to take a leadership role in climate justice activism.
Throughout the project young people were given the opportunity to take part in team building activities, to learn about climate change, climate action and climate justice.
We also had Norma Keane, from the Truth Be Told Vintage shop speak about sustainable fashion, changing habits when purchasing from fast fashion apps and upcycling old pieces of clothing.
The main piece of the project however was an art mural the young people planned and completed, under the guidance of local artist Amy Sheehy. The aim of this mural was to increase awareness about recycling, the environment and climate change in our lives and the communities in which all participants live in.
Group members Kora and Katie will describe the process of making the mural.
“We then started on the mural and a woman called Amy came in to help us with it. We brainstormed ideas and worked as a team to see what we wanted it to look like. We started by all painting sections on the wall all different colours. We taped off parts of the wall to create a flow through the wall which we thought was cool and unique. Then with recycled cardboard we made stencils of flowers, animals, and different shapes. We then used recycled sponges to paint on and around the stencils. We finished the mural by picking out short effective slogans about the environment and again using stencils, painted them onto the wall. We wanted this wall to represent us, and our group aims. It brought us together and we love seeing people stopping to read it when they are coming in and out of the building.”
In early 2024 The Green Beans met again to plan and prepare their presentation about their involvement in the Youth Climate Justice Project. The launch was held in Youth Work Ireland Dublin, along with their peers from Youth Work Ireland Tipperary and Youth Work Ireland Galway.
The Climate Justice Group Work research conducted by Dr Morgan O’Brien and Majella Finnegan of SETU was launched along with officials from the DCEDIY. The work showed how group work empowers young people to address needs and aspirations around the things that matter to them in their lives – whether that’s big things in the wider world like climate change, or big things taking place in their homes and schools.
Mar 22, 2024 | News & Events
Our dedicated team gathered at the Killarney Centre for a Strategic Planning day. Together, we delved into our 6 strategic goals for 2023-2026.
Our incredible senior managers and board members took charge, each focusing on a specific goal. They shared insights, and accomplishments, and explored new avenues during open discussions among all employees.
The day was a resounding success, with amazing conversations about our organisation’s future.
To view our KDYS strategic plan 2023 – 2026 Click Here!
Feb 29, 2024 | News & Events
WHAT IS COMHAIRLE NA NÓG?
Comhairle na nÓg are youth councils which are based in 31 local authority areas in the country. They give young people and children the opportunity to be involved in the development of local services and policies that affect them. Our members then try to influence local decision-makers to achieve their desired outcome, impact or change.
WHO ARE WE?
We are Kerry Comhairle na nÓg and we represent young people aged 12 – 17 years of age from all over County Kerry.
We are from all from different parts of the county as well as different backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities. We meet at least once a month, usually on a Friday evening or a Saturday and work on our chosen topic, as voted on by you during our Annual General Meeting. We have previously worked on Facilities for Young People and Climate Change as well as Positive Youth Mental Health. This year we will be working on the topic of School and Exam Pressure.
WHY JOIN COMHAIRLE?
All children and young people have a right to be heard in all matters affecting them. If you feel like your voice is not being heard, or you would like to be part of something that values what you have to say, then this is the group for you. We seek to include and encourage ALL young people from every background, ethnicity and ability to participate in Comhairle.
WHERE DO WE MEET?
In Kerry, we hold Comhairle meetings at least once a month, although this increases when we are working on a certain topic or project. We may also have smaller sub group meetings between the main meetings. Meetings are generally held in Tralee although we do try to vary this as much as possible to try to accommodate young people from all over the county. If a meeting is to be held in Cahersiveen for example, we will provide a bus from Listowel or Tralee to travel there. Meetings are also held over Zoom when necessary.
HOW TO JOIN KERRY COMHAIRLE NA NÓG?
To find out more about joining Kerry Comhairle na nÓg contact Ann Marie Spillane annmariespillane@kdys.ie or on 085 787 5138.
Kerry Comhairle Info Flyer
