Sep 16, 2024 | Get Involved, News & Events
We’re thrilled to announce an exciting initiative where young people from two different projects within KDYS are coming together to transform our garden space into a beautiful haven of wellbeing! 🌱✨
This collaborative effort aims to create a sanctuary where both young people and staff can relax, regulate, and ground themselves amidst the calming influence of nature. The revitalized space will offer a much-needed retreat for reflection and connection with the environment.
Project Highlights:
- Collaboration in Action: Our dedicated group of young people from two KDYS projects is working together to bring this vision to life.
- Creative Ideas: The team is incorporating innovative ideas to shape this community space, focusing on elements that promote relaxation and wellness.
- Volunteer Days: Participants will be actively involved in planting, painting, and creating throughout the garden’s transformation.
This project is more than just a garden makeover; it’s about building a shared space where everyone can thrive and fostering collaboration with the young people we work with. Let’s cultivate a place of peace and positivity!
Stay tuned for updates on our progress and ways you can support this wonderful initiative. We can’t wait to see this transformation unfold! 🌷💚
Sep 16, 2024 | Education, Health and Wellbeing, News & Events
The Croige team recently completed a First Aid Responder Training, where we gained a wealth of knowledge! Here are some key takeaways we’re excited to share with you: 🚑🩹
👷 Safety First: When providing first aid, always remember to assess the environment and ensure your own safety first before helping others. Your safety is paramount to effectively assisting someone in need.
📦 First Aid Kit: Always ensure you have access to a fully stocked first aid kit. Being prepared can make all the difference in an emergency.
🔌 Defibrillation (AED) & CPR: Did you know that using a Defibrillator (AED) within the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest can dramatically increase survival rates? Combined with effective CPR, we can greatly improve the chances of recovery. Familiarize yourself with the location of the nearest public access AED by logging onto Rescue.ie and using the AED locator function.
🔥 Burns: Quick and proper treatment of burns is vital. Submerge the burn in cool water (tepid water for a child) for at least 10 minutes to reduce pain and prevent further damage. Don’t use running water or ice directly on the burned area as that can cause more damage. Cover the burn with a clean, non-stick dressing.
💔 Breaks and Fractures: immobilize the injured area and keep it stable until professional medical help arrives to prevent further injury. Knowing how to handle fractures can make a big difference in the recovery process.
Finally we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible instructor, Sheila Nolan. Over the course of our 3-day training, Sheila’s vast knowledge and engaging teaching style made for an informative and enjoyable training. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Thank you, Sheila! 🌟
🚑 Exciting News! 🚑
As a result of our recent First Aid Responder training, we’ve decided to take action and come together to fundraise for a much-needed defibrillator for our Killarney Centre. This initiative is part of an integration program within KDYS aimed at encouraging young people to actively engage with their community.
We are thrilled to involve our young people in this important cause and are looking forward to organizing various fundraising activities to make this happen. Together, we can enhance the safety of our community and empower our youth to make a real difference!
Why is a defibrillator so important? A defibrillator can be a lifesaver during cardiac emergencies, providing a crucial intervention that can significantly increase survival rates. Having one on hand at our centre will ensure we are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in critical situations.
Stay tuned for more updates on how you can get involved and support this initiative. Let’s come together to equip our centre with this vital lifesaving device! ❤️
Sep 16, 2024 | Health and Wellbeing, News & Events
At Croíge, we love getting out with the young people we work with and immersing ourselves in nature. A trip to the beach can not only be fun—it can also be therapeutic! Here’s why the beach is such an effective stress reliever:
🔊Sound of Waves: The rhythmic sound of waves creates a meditative atmosphere, lowering heart rate and reducing stress hormones. This natural white noise also improves sleep quality.
🌅 Natural Beauty: the beautiful views help clear the mind, providing a sense of peace and tranquillity. This natural scenery fosters a deep sense of relaxation and helps melt away stress.
🌊 Physical Sensations: Walking on the sand massages the feet, stimulating pressure points and promoting relaxation. The sensation of cool water on the skin can reduce muscle tension and promote a sense of calm.
🍃 Fresh Air: The clean ocean air improves oxygen intake and boosts serotonin levels, lifting mood and reducing stress.
☀️ Sunshine: Sunlight increases serotonin production, enhancing mood and focus. It also regulates circadian rhythms, improving sleep patterns crucial for stress management.
🏃 Exercise: Beach activities like walking, swimming, or playing games release endorphins, natural stress relievers. Even light exercise can help improve mood and reduce anxiety.
🌴 Escape from Routine: A beach day offers a break from the daily grind, refreshing the mind and reducing burnout.
🧘 Mindfulness and Presence: The beach environment encourages mindfulness. Engaging in simple activities like watching waves, collecting shells, or feeling the sand can help anchor you in the present moment, reducing anxious thoughts.
🍃 Connection with Nature: Being in nature reduces cortisol levels and increases feelings of well-being. The beach’s combination of water, sand, and open sky is a great setting for stress reduction.
🌈 Sensory Engagement: The beach engages all five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. This multi-sensory experience can help ground you and provide a distraction from stressors.
🏖️ Play and Leisure: The beach is a place of play and leisure, from building sandcastles to lounging in the sun. These activities promote fun and relaxation, essential for reducing stress.
🎨 Creativity: During our time in nature, we often collect treasures such as shells and sticks to use in future craft projects. This hands-on activity not only fuels creativity but also creates lasting memories from our beach outings
Mindfulness Activity to try at the beach:
The 5-4-3-2-1 Technique
Try this simple exercise on your next beach trip to promote relaxation:
1. 5 Things You Can See: Look around and identify five things you can see.
2. 4 Things You Can Feel: Notice four things you can physically feel.
3. 3 Things You Can Hear: Listen for three distinct sounds.
4. 2 Things You Can Smell: Take a deep breath and identify two smells.
5. 1 Thing You Can Taste: Notice any lingering taste.
The beach provides a holistic environment addressing multiple aspects of stress relief, from physical relaxation to mental clarity and emotional support.
Sep 16, 2024 | Get Involved, News & Events
The Kerry Diocesan Youth Service (KDYS) in partnership with the Castleisland Garda Siochana ran their annual soccer tournament at Castleisland’s AFC Georgie O’ Callaghan Pitch, Castleisland on Thursday 18th of July. The event was a great success with record breaking number of teams entering, there was 16 teams with around 160 players taking part. This year there were three categories: Primary School section, under 15’s and under 18’s competition.
The primary school competition had 9 teams taking part. They were put into three groups with top three teams in each group getting into the semi-finals. In the end it came down to a final between ‘The Ramblers’ and ‘The Confidence Killers’. The final was a competitive match with great skill on display with ‘The Ramblers’ winning on a score line of 2-1. The team were delighted to win the trophy and victory brought huge celebrations.
There were 5 teams in this category with each team playing eachother with the top two teams in the final. The Final was between ‘Snackbox FC’ and ‘Sean Griffins’s Boys’ with ‘Snackbox FC’ winning on a scoreline of 2-0. The Georgie O Callaghan cup was presented by his brother James to the winning captain Ajay O Connor.
There were 2 teams in the under 18’s competition. They played eachother twice, and the match was played out in a great spirit and in the end ‘Aidan Joy’s Mafia ’ were victorious beating ‘The Grizzleys’ on a score line of 1-0.
In each competition, there were also awards handed out to individuals for Player of the Tournament. In the Primary game, Dylan O Biren from ‘The Ramblers’ received the award. In the U15’S category Glen O Sullivan from ‘Snackbox FC’ received the award. Maurice Lane from ‘Aidan Joys Mafia’ received the award for the U18’S category. The event was organised by Chris Brosnan and Helena Falvey, Youth Justice Workers, KDYS, alongside Garda Niamh Corkery, Sgt Marcus Twomey and Garda Mike Dwyer. However, the event depends on the support and help of many local volunteers.
The KDYS and Castleisland Garda Siochana would like to take this opportunity to thank the following people:
- Stuart Auctioneers for sponsorship of medals and plaques
- Castleisland AFC for use of Georgie O Callaghan Pitch and special mention to its member James O Callaghan for helping on the night.
- Cian Ring, Jim O Connor and student Garda Kalid who did an outstanding job refereeing the games
- KDYS staff and An Garda Siochana for their help on the night.
Thanks also to all the team organisers, players and everyone else who supported the event. We look forward to seeing you again next year.
This project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
Aug 21, 2024 | Employment, News & Events
In advance of the Budget, Berni Smyth, CEO of KDYS outlines the need for increased investment in youth work and the priorities identified specifically for the young people and youth services in Kerry.
Youth Work Ireland have produced this handy leaflet. Please use this as a reference if you are talking to politicians and relevant stakeholders about how they can show their support for young people in Budget 2025. Click Below to Read:
YWI Budget 2025
KDYS Pre-Budget 2025 submission August 2024 Final
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.
