A Keady woman who felt isolated after the birth of her first child has told how she benefitted from programmes by YouthAction NI, a National Lottery-funded charity.
Aileen O’Callaghan (46) was just 18-years-old when she had her first child, and felt isolated living in rural Co Armagh.
This led her to join a programme at YouthAction, which supported young mums into training and employment.
From leadership training for young mums to mental health support for young men, YouthAction NI has developed youth programmes tailored to the needs of various groups of young people across Northern Ireland, including from their base in Armagh.
The youth charity says the £2 million of National Lottery funding they’ve received over the last 30 years has helped them to invest in young people, to give them a more positive future.
Aileen recalled: “The programme sounded perfect – I could train, earn money and be in a supportive environment with other young mums who understood my situation.
“It also had the bonus of providing childcare and travel allowances, so I didn’t need to worry about how I was going to be able to afford to get my son minded.
“It’s amazing how YouthAction were able to put a whole package in place to help young women like me to enter the workplace.”
The programme, called ‘Lifting the Limits’, was a pilot which went on to be funded in 2000 by the New Opportunities Fund, now known as The National Lottery Community Fund.
The Fund has been celebrating 30 years since the first National Lottery draw on November 19, 1994, and during this time £786million funding has gone to good causes in Northern Ireland communities.
Aileen went on to be a Peer Educator on ‘Lifting the Limits’ and worked at YouthAction for 11 years while studying for a degree and balancing home life with five children.
She then moved to the Education and Library Board, now known as the Education Authority, where she supports the development and delivery of Youth Work across Newry, Mourne and Down.
Continued Aileen: “The skills I learnt at 19-years-old on this course and as a Peer Educator helped me get to where I am now as a Senior Youth Officer for the Education Authority.
“I didn’t want being a young mum to define my life so I worked hard, progressed my career, and managed a family. It’s been amazing, but I couldn’t have done it without the support YouthAction invested in me.”
Margaret Guy from Armagh had a similar experience with the charity.
She was 25 when she became a Peer Educator at YouthAction, while juggling life as a single mum, and she hasn’t looked back.
She said: “I’d been out of education for years, I didn’t have a job, I was dealing with my marriage breaking down, I felt isolated, and all I wanted was to be a good role model to my son.
“Joining the ‘Lifting the Limits’ programme was the opportunity I needed to help find my feet.
“I learnt so much on the course and being able to support other young mums made me realise that a career in youth work was the right path for me – I’d found my passion.”
She added: “After 26 years working at YouthAction and VOYPIC, I’m now a Youth Engagement and Wellbeing Support Worker for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust where I get to go out and speak to young people about their health.
“The communication skills, youth work courses and confidence in myself that I learnt on ‘Lifting the Limits’ really set me up for my career.”
Clare Conlon, Senior Leader from YouthAction NI, commented: “The funding we’ve received from The National Lottery Community Fund has been vital in helping us to challenge outdated gendered expectations and behaviours which limit the development of young women and young men in all aspects of life.
“When we take the time to support a young person in a way that is adapted to them, not only can it shape their future, but it can also have a positive impact for the young people around them and the people they then go on to support throughout their lives.”
