
Youth Initiatives News
May
2025
Revolutionary Digital Platform Launches to
Transform Youth Voice

Voices for Impact to be officially launched at Bytes Youth Hub in Glengormley on Wednesday, 14th May 2025 at 11am
Voices for Impact, a groundbreaking digital platform designed to capture and amplify the voices of children and young people across Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the UK, will be officially launched at an event in the Bytes Youth Hub in Glengormley on Wednesday, 14th May at 11am.
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The initiative represents a collaboration between seven leading youth organisations: The Bytes Project, YMCA Ireland, Boys & Girls Clubs NI, Youth Initiatives, National Youth Council of Ireland, Youth Link Scotland, and Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services.
Voices for Impact aims to transform how young people’s views are gathered, understood, and used to influence policy decisions. This project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Breaking Down Barriers to Youth Participation
The new digital platform offers young people the opportunity to share their views on six key themes derived from the UN Sustainable Development Goals:
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Good Health and Well-Being
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Learning, Skills and Work
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Safer Society
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Fairer Society
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The Planet
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Digital Access
Minister of Finance, Dr John O’Dowd MLA, said “I welcome the launch of the digital PEACE PLUS funded Voices for Impact project. This initiative is a positive example of cooperation across this Island, Scotland and Wales and provides a digital platform for young people to collaborate on key areas that are important to them. It also ensures that their views are heard to inform future strategy and engagement. I wish all involved every success and I look forward to hearing how the project progresses.”
Minister of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform & Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD, said “I welcome the launch of the Voices for Impact project, funded under the €1.14 billion PEACEPLUS programme.
“This innovative project will capture and amplify a wide array of youth voices, and gather important insights that can inform development of inclusive and data-driven policies for young people.
“The Voices for Impact project will make a valuable contribution towards fostering dialogue and engagement and supporting the objectives of PEACEPLUS.”
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre, said “The Strategic Planning and Engagement support within the PEACEPLUS Programme brings with it a real opportunity to address and overcome challenges to future economic prosperity and growth North/South, and East/West.
“Voices for Impact is a fantastic project aimed at transforming how young people’s views are gathered and understood, which is so important in helping to understand their needs and hear their voice to help shape future polices and interventions.”
Stephen Dallas, CEO of The Bytes Project, said: “Voices for Impact represents a significant step forward in digital youth participation. By creating this accessible online platform, we’re removing traditional barriers that have prevented many young people from having their say, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.”
The initiative’s objectives align with SEUPB’s vision to foster sustainable and structural cooperation across borders, with targets including 1,000 responses per year and the creation of youth-led content reflecting on the data findings.
Data-Driven Youth Advocacy
A key innovation of Voices for Impact is its focus on generating actionable data that can be used to advocate for increased investment in youth services and to shape policies affecting young people.
Initial survey data already collected through the platform reveals important insights into young people’s well-being, educational experiences, and social concerns across the regions, with patterns emerging that will help inform service provision and policy development.
Youth-Led from the Start
Young people have been central to the development of Voices for Impact from its inception. The platform’s design, survey questions, and implementation strategy have all been shaped by youth input, ensuring the initiative truly reflects young people’s needs and preferences.
For more information, contact:
Liam Mc Cusker
Email: liam.mccusker@bytes.org
Website: www.voicesforimpact.ai
Notes to Editors:
PEACEPLUS
The PEACEPLUS Programme has been designed to promote peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, and has a total value of €1.14bn, to be delivered over the next four years.
PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
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About SEUPB:
The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
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About Voices for Impact:
Voices for Impact is a digital platform designed to capture and amplify the voices of children and young people across the UK and Ireland. The initiative focuses on effectively gathering young people’s views on issues that matter to them, ensuring these insights shape the policies that affect them.
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Partner Organisations:
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The Bytes Project
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YMCA Ireland
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Boys & Girls Clubs NI
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Youth Initiatives
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National Youth Council of Ireland
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Youth Link Scotland
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Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services
Photograph
Photograph included in email includes: (L to R) Éadaoin Patton, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; Paul Sheridan, SEUPB; David Lynch, Department of Finance; Stephen Dallas, the Bytes Project
June
2024
Sessional Youth Support Worker Posts
27th June 2024
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We have a number of youth support worker post open to application. Adverts for each of the posts can be viewed by clicking on the buttons below. If you are interested in applying please complete the online application by Midnight Sunday 30th June. The online application can be accessed by clicking the button below the job adverts.
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June
2024
Transforming Local Youth Work
26th June 2024
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Youth Initiatives CEO Tony Silcock at the Education Committee presenting the ‘Transforming Local Youth Work’ paper and alongside Boys and Girls Clubs NI, Bytes, Youth Action NI and Youth Work Alliance. #youthworkworks
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June
2024
Boys and Young Men Animations
4th June 2024
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Three animations have been created by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI), YouthAction NI & VOYPIC to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation (CSE) as experienced by boys and young men. To view these, please click the image to the right.
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May
2024
Safeguarding Helpline Contact Information
31st May 2024
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If you are concerned about a person or situation, work with children or adults and need
safeguarding advice for any concerns. Please seek advice from any of the below organisations.
If a young person is in immediate danger, contact the PSNI on 999.
Thirtyone:eight Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm 0303 003 1111
Lifeline 24hr helpline: 0808 808 8000
Samaritans 24hr helpline - Call 166 123 e:jo@samaritans.org
Domestic and sexual abuse helpline 24hr helpline 0808 802 1414
NSPCC 0808 800 5000 e: help@NSPCC.org.uk
Childline (if under 18) 0800 1111
These organisations are there to help whatever issue you are facing.
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May
2024
thirtyone:eight Safeguarding Case Review
31st May 2024
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Safeguarding Case Review completed by thirtyone:eight​. To view please click the button below.
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Roundtable discussion with local youth providers
May
2024

On Friday 10th May local youth service providers gathered at the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim, for an insightful round-table discussion. We explored innovative delivery models to maximize youth work resources and better support our children and young people. A big thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to these vital conversations!
Following on from this productive discussion with local youth service providers, we are energized and more prepared than ever to tackle the challenges facing our youth. Together, we'll refine our approaches and strive for a future where every child and young person in our community thrives.
YI Belfast Marathon Team
April
2024
3rd April 2024
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2 of our staff and 3 of our young people from West Belfast are raising money to send other young people to Camp this summer.
Click the link below to learn more and/ or make a donation

YI DERRY/ LONDONDERRY ARTBRIDGE SHOW
Mar
2024
29th March 2024
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On the 9th of March, our young people in the Northwest exhibited a project that was the culmination of a year’s work. Artbridge allowed these young people to make art centred around themes of community, identity, legacy, and culture. Additionally, the way Artbridge facilitated artistic expression gave young people spaces for reflection, meditation, and a genuine focus on their emotions, both positive and negative.
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Click on the image to the right to see some of the artwork and read a bit more about the show.
VOICES FOR IMPACT SURVEY
Jan
2024

16th January 2024
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Today's the day! We're thrilled to announce the launch of the Voices for Impact survey. Calling all young people to share their views. Youth Workers please share with young people.
For more info email voicesforimpact@bytes.org or read more here.
SUMMER CAMP 2024
Jan
2024

CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER
Dec
20th December 2023
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Check out our latest newsletter and see what our hubs have been up to this past year
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2024
BIG GIVE DOUBLE DONATION - Thank You
Dec
6th December 2023
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We want to take this opportunity to thank all of those who supported us during the Big Give Christmas Challenge. ​
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2023

BIG GIVE DOUBLE DONATION
Nov
14th November 2023
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The Big Give Christmas challenge is a fundraising campaign that doubles any donation up to an agreed target. The Challenge will run from 28th November to 5th December.
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Our target this year is to raise £25,000 which will be doubled to give Youth Initiatives £50,000
This year we are raising money for our Volunteer work. Volunteers are a vital part of Youth Initiatives. It is a chance for our young people to step into the next phase of their journey, and grow in leadership, confidence and many other skills. Our theme for the campaign is “Contributing to a shared future”, a future that is shared amongst different cultures within our society that we are trying to bring together, but also among different generations.
2023

Response Update
May
2023
Updated Information
April
2022
14th April 2022
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Please find below an update to on Mr Jamie Treadwell
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Mar
2020
Youth Initiatives
COVID -19 youth work response
The staff at Youth Initiatives still want to be able to connect with and work with the young people who attend our programmes regularly. We recognise that our current situation has come as a shock to most and presents challenges with schools being closed, job uncertainty amongst other challenges.
We want to respond to the different needs that are being experienced by those we work with. During our time of self-isolation, social distancing, schools and gathering being shut we want to ensure that the mental, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing of our young people is protected and nurtured throughout this uncertain time.
Mar
2020
YI Downpatrick featured on BBC Songs of Praise
YI Downpatrick featured on the BBC programme songs of praise, doing a spring clean of their centre and the local area.
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Catch up here on BBC iPlayer
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Or see a snippet on Facebook
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Mar
2020
Crosslinks Show​ - POSTPONED
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Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 the Crosslinks show has unfortunately been postponed. We want to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the participants who put so much into the show from learning lines and writing songs to practicing dances and building props. We are sad the show will not take place as planned but we will be back...
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POSTPONED
News Release
Feb
2020
Feb 8th 2020
(date correction)
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Please find below an update to our March news release
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Crosslinks Celebrates 20 Years!
2019
Sept
Youth Initiatives is launching our weekly cross community 'Crosslinks' youth arts project on Monday 7th October. Participants aged 14-20yrs from Catholic, Protestant and Ethnic Minority communities in Belfast, will take part in good relations workshops using drama, art, music and dance. A final theatre performance showcasing their work will take place 29th March 2020.
For more info please contact Lynda e:admin@youthinitiatives.

Apr
2019
Community Relations Council awards YI £25,800
The Community Relations Council is delighted to reveal the successful organisations that will be receiving support from its Core Funding Grants Scheme for the 2019/20 year. The fund is supported by The Executive Office.
There are a total of 29 projects receiving support of £1.2million.
Speaking at the official launch of this year’s scheme, Community Relations Council Chair, Peter Osborne, said:
“Reconciliation is about relationship building on the ground. It is hard, challenging work made more so within the current environment. We are deeply appreciative of the courage, resolve and commitment of these organisations and their staff as they do their part to build a better future for us all.”
Youth Initiatives has been awarded £25,800 for our reconciliation project “Lasting Impact". The project will tackle sectarianism and racism at its roots working with young people currently disinterested or dissident and, through a 5-7 year process, help them to become leaders for good relations and change agents in their communities.

Nov
Big Give Christmas Challenge 2018
2018
This year Youth Initiatives is delighted to have been asked to take part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, sponsored by Garfield Weston. From 27th Nov until 4th Dec, all donations made to YI via theBigGive.org.uk will be matched!
If you are interested in donating and would like a reminder sent to you on 27th Nov, please email admin@youthinitiatives.com.
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June
2018
New Banbridge Youth Centre!


Apr
2018
Youth Initiatives: Under New Management
We are delighted to announce, that as of 1 April 2018, YI is being run by a new management team and new CEO. Following a three year long succession process, Tony Silcock has taken on the role of Chief Officer and Siobhan Darragh, Matt McCullough and Lynda Whinnery have been appointed to the new management team.
Tony, originally from Twinbrook, began in YI at age 16 through an outreach football programme and the YI Lifeline Project. Siobhan, our new deputy Chief Officer, began YI as a 10 year old coming to the YI summer programme. Lynda joined the YI Crosslinks project at age 14 and Matt started with YI as an 18 year old volunteer intern. The new management team models the YI mission of awakening hope, inspiring initiative, and mobilising young people - showing young people from their own community that success is possible and the future is full of opportunity for those who go for it.
Special thanks goes to Doug Smith and Andy Hewitt who have led YI for the last 15 years. We are indebted to their contribution and their equipping of and making space for this new generation of leaders to take the reins.
