REACT, the Armagh-based community organisation, has announced the launch of its ‘think out loud’ programme which aims to bring the community together through a range of activities.
The programme is organised by their new speak up team, and the entire team have worked hard to put together fun-filled activities for all those aged between 12 and 17.
The next event in the programme’s calendar will be ‘fun with drums’ in the Armagh West Consortium, based at Sherry’s Field, on November 6, followed by Artfunkle on November 13 and a social action project on November 20.
On October 16, the group held a games night in Armagh West Consortium which involved confidence, teamwork and get-to-know-you games.
Then on October 23, they organised a trip to Orgas fright night in Coalisland.
REACT (Reconciliation, Education and Community Training) is based in the city and is a voluntary and community organisation which provides a range of services through their youth projects.
The organisation has as its vision: “To have confident, cohesive communities participating fully in a peaceful and equal society”, with a mission purpose of “building capacity and empowering groups and individuals through support and development”.
React Youth consists of two projects. The first is the youth development project which provides programmes of mental health & wellbeing, improving life skills & developing relationships with groups of young people aged 10-18 years, supporting them to achieve their potential.
The second is the youth mentoring project which provides 1-1 sessions with young people aged 10-18, focusing on issues like confidence-building & self esteem, family & problems at home.
It also helps to equip young people with the skills to overcome barriers they face in life.
With funding secured from ‘Elevate’, the think out loud program was designed by the REACT Speak out loud Steering group.
This was in response to young people highlighting the low mental health statistics of young people in the wider Armagh area.
Padraig McBrien, Mentoring Project Officer, said: “The REACT Steering group and Armagh West Consortium wishes to address the mental health issues and concerns of the young people by creating a holistic participatory approach sharing resources, having a wider outcome of personal and social development.”
