School Name: Mount Mercy College, Cork, Co. Cork
Project Name: Divert Your Stride From Suicide
Award: Young Social Innovators of the Year 2011

Award presented by Sr. Stanisalus Kennedy, YSI Chairperson.

This project aimed to promote awareness about the growing and tragic issue of suicide. The team aimed to break the silence around the issue and to encourage people to communicate openly about the subject. The students researched the issue using a variety of methods which included sourcing and reading articles on suicide prevention and inviting guest speakers to talk to the team and other students. They also carried out a survey in several different schools in the area to establish what people actually knew about suicide.

Within the school, the team created partnerships with the Mount Mercy College Transition Year Coordinator and Anti-Bullying Committee. Externally, links were made with Suicide Aware, Social Health Education Project, Red FM, An Garda Siochana, The Irish Aviation Authority, Rochestown Park Hotel, local and regional newspapers, politicians and psychologists.

A Facebook page called “Divert your Stride from Suicide” has been set up to raise the profile of the project. The team designed posters and fundraised by holding a cake and pizza sale and ran events to promote positive mental health including a balloon release. A ‘Beat the Blues’ workshop for all Transition Year students was organized to help students to gain self-awareness and to promote positivity.

The team’s biggest achievement was in planning, organising and hosting a Suicide Prevention Conference in Cork raising awareness of the issue of suicide. They invited 600 Transition Year students from Cork schools to attend the conference which featured presentations from various professionals such as a psychotherapists and lecturers. Celebrities such as members of the Munster Rugby Team attended the event which was emceed by Paudie Palmer.

The talks and workshops informed students about how to be positive, to look after their mental health and how to help other individuals who may be depressed. Contact details for appropriate help lines were also distributed. The team hopes that the conference may become an annual event.

The Judges said “This project undertook a huge amount of work on a very sensitive issue, culminating in a conference for 600 students. Future plans include making this a national event.”

School Name: Davis College, Mallow, Co. Cork
Project Name: Missing Persons
Award: Young Social Innovators of the Year 2011 - Silver Award

Award presented by Sr. Stanisalus Kennedy, Chairperson, YSI.

The aim of this project was to create awareness of missing persons in Ireland as the team felt that this was an issue that often gets overlooked or neglected.

The team held a full day workshop where the chairperson of searchingforthemissing.net spoke about the work of the organisation and a relative of a missing person spoke about her experience in relation to her missing brother-in-law. Mallow Search and Rescue and CERT (Countrywide Emergency and Rescue Team) were in attendance and spoke of their work in pursuing missing persons.

The students were trained by Mallow Search and Rescue and CERT who took them to a local wood where they were trained to be volunteer searchers. The team ran a Facebook campaign highlighting their project. Other innovative responses included the production of a calendar featuring images of missing people. The team secured the support of Tesco who will be stocking the calendar for sale in Tesco supermarkets nationwide. The team also developed an application for smartphones linking missing persons’ websites together. They designed bumper stickers which will be placed on the back of haulage companies’ trucks throughout Ireland spreading the message of their campaign even further.

Many partnerships were made with searchforthemissing.net; Mallow Search and Rescue; missingpersons.ie; missing.ws; Barnardos; CERT; Tesco, Barry Cummnis, RTÉ journalist and individuals whose loved ones have disappeared.

With the help and support of 25 other VEC secondary schools this team plans to roll out a vigil as a national event on the 26th of September at 2pm every year. Participating schools will receive pack with songs, poems and readings.

The judges said “This is an innovative project that included writing songs, poems, speaking to organizations, setting up a Face book page, smart phone applications and designing bumper stickers to raise awareness of the issue of missing persons.”

School: St. Declan's Community College, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford
Project Name: Under the Influence
Award: Young Social Innovators of the Year 2011 - Bronze Award

Award presented by Sr. Stanisalus Kennedy, Chairperson, YSI.

This project was a Step-Up project which means that it was a continuation and development of a previous YSI project, the focus of which was on peer pressure on young drivers. In the summer of 2010 there were two multiple fatality car accidents that shocked the country and the YSI team in St. Declan’s Community College wondered how this could be avoided.

They learned from the previous year’s team that the negative influence of peer pressure when driving is of major concern. They also surveyed students in a variety of different educational settings, conducted a focus group and created a questionnaire based on the information gathered. The questionnaire was aimed at parents, the Gardai, the Road Safety Authority and political representatives in order to establish their opinions.

An event called ‘Overtake’ was established and the team believes that it can be easily replicated in any education centre nationally. It is aimed at potential young drivers (17-19 years of age) in the hope of raising awareness about negative peer pressure on young drivers and providing strategies for dealing with it.

The team liaised with Aviva Driving School which has agreed to include a driving lesson based on the issue of peer pressure in their driving curriculum. They have also updated the existing website and linked it to social networking sites to expand its reach. They continue to be involved in the RSA Transition Year ‘Your Road to Safety’ Programme.

Partnerships were made with a number of second and third level educational institutions in Waterford, the RSA (Road Safety Authority), Aviva Driving School, the Gardai, Rosemary Smith of Rosemary Smith Driving School, psychologists and politicians. Ultimately, the team’s work is about positive internal motivation and empowerment to prevent injuries and save lives.

The judges said “This team took the development of this project to an impressive level through working with national organisations to improve information on road safety and creating a driver training model for young people in partnership with Aviva.”

School Name: Our Lady's College, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Project Name: Actions Speak Louder than Words
Award: Making Our Country More Inclusive and Poverty Free Challenge

Award presented by Joan Burton TD, Minister for Social Protection.

The team decided to focus on the topic of deafness after a team member shared the experience of her deaf cousin who has an adapted door bell which alerts them to the presence of visitors by flashing lights. The group realised how little they knew about the difficulties faced by the deaf community and decided that they wanted to learn more.

This YSI project had several key goals which were to raise awareness and educate people in the school and wider community about deafness, to encourage schools to become more ‘deaf-friendly’, to make You Tube more accessible for deaf people and to highlight the need for improved newborn hearing screening in Ireland.

The group studied the issue and conducted a survey in their school as well as three other local schools. Over 100 students were surveyed in total and, after analysing the results, they decided that they would launch an awareness campaign in the school. Partnerships were formed with Caroline Carswell, the founder of ‘Irish Deaf Kids’. The organisation provided the group with sponsor cards and the team organised a sponsored silence during which they raised over €400.

An information display stand was put together to inform students in the school about difficulties faced by deaf members of the community. A parent of a deaf child spoke to the group and they found this to be very insightful and helpful. Partnerships were made with LMFM and The Drogheda Leader. A causes page was set up on Facebook and an online petition was created to campaign for improved newborn hearing screening in Ireland. The group created booklets to distribute to schools with information on how schools can be made more 'deaf-friendly'.

They held a subtitling marathon which is still ongoing where they are trying to subtitle as many YouTube videos as possible. At present the team is in contact with the YouTube Sales Development Manager who is giving the group information about how to subtitle videos on YouTube to make YouTube more accessible for the deaf community. 

The judges believed this was an “Innovative response to the challenge faced by young deaf people. There is potential to roll out subtitling and texting ideas to a wider audience. Excellent teamwork and presentation.”

School Name: Presentation College, Askea, Co. Carlow
Project Name: Youth Alive, Alert, Enthusiastic
Award: Making Our World One World Challenge

Award presented by Austin Gormley, Director of Information and Development Education, Irish Aid.

This project highlighted how HIV and AIDs affect young people in Ireland and Zambia and aimed to pass on the message of HIV/AIDS prevention to students and to stamp out the stigma associated with these illnesses. A quote from Kader Asmal embodies their work ‘In the absence of a cure, education is the social vaccine.’

Various websites were researched - www.aids.org, www.concern.net and www.stampoutstigma.ie. The team completed a HIV/AIDs quiz from Concern’s ‘Positive Youth’ and they watched Concern’s ‘Positive Youth’ DVD.

The group ‘Combat Diseases of the Poverty Consortium’ in NUI Maynooth was contacted and the class registered to attend a cluster group Development Education Workshop with other schools. They also participated in workshops given by two Tanzanian researchers on HIV/AIDs and representatives from Concern.

The project was a joint initiative between Presentation College and Kaoma Community School in Zambia. Educational resource materials were shared amongst the two schools to help the two classes understand the diseases fully.

The team in Presentation College then launched a peer education programme with the Junior Cycle students in their school to raise awareness about the facts of HIV/AIDS and to try to reduce the stigma and discrimination still associated with the illnesses.

The judges said the team demonstrated a “Deep understanding of the issue of stigma of HIV/AIDS and is an excellent model of partnership (with a school in Zambia) and shows clear evidence of reciprocal learning.”

School Name: St. Paul's Secondary School, Oughterard, Co. Galway
Project Name: Sow the Seed, Sit and Read
Award: Making Our World a Better Place for Young People Challenge

Award presented by Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

This project highlighted the importance of literacy among young people and the importance of parental involvement in instilling a lifelong love of reading in children, by educating them in the benefits of paired reading.

The team believes that this will, in turn, improve literacy levels at a local level. The team created, illustrated and produced a book called ‘Holly Learns her Lesson’ to be used as a tool to teach parents and children how to do paired reading.

An information leaflet was also produced for people using the book. All parents and students in second class in the feeder schools for St. Paul’s were targeted and the team hopes to share their information on paired reading with all of them. A workshop has been organized to educate parents outside the community on paired reading also.

External links were made with Department of Education in University of Limerick, a publishing company and Galway Bay FM, who will advertise the group’s product in order to create further awareness of the issue. To raise money for the book, fundraisers were held which included a non-uniform day, a cake sale and a raffle. These funds enabled the group to order 150 copies of their book and the focus now is to promote use of the book in primary schools.

The judges said “In addressing an issue that is currently on the rise in Ireland, this group made external links with the Department of Education, Mary Immaculate College and local schools. They developed a child friendly storybook to facilitate paired reading in local schools. They have ISO books and will continue to promote paired reading in local schools.”

School Name: Presentation College, Tuam, Co. Galway
Project Name: I Need You
Award: Making Our Community Better Challenge

Award presented by Ciarán Cannon TD, Minister of State for Training and Skills.

The team noticed that many voluntary organizations in the locality were suffering due to a lack of volunteers and simultaneously there were a large number of people unemployed. In order to match these two needs, they set up a Tuam Volunteer Centre.

The class researched the issue by doing a survey of members of the public and by sending questionnaires to voluntary organisations. Students also used the internet to see how beneficial volunteering centres are. A representative from the volunteer centre in NUIG gave the group insight into volunteering. 

The team travelled to Galway Volunteer Centre where they received lots of information about setting up a centre. They visited Tuam Chamber of Commerce to discuss a suitable location for the Centre. Mayor Flanagan provided the group with space in Tuam Town Hall and Marian Harkin, MEP for the North-West constituency visited the school in March. A website and Facebook page were created and an advertising campaign was developed to create awareness and promote the Centre. The volunteer centre opened in March.

The judges said “They addressed an issue of serious social concern by surveying members of the public. In developing their innovative solution, they partnered with the chamber of commerce and other important stakeholders. They used a website, Face book page and advertising to create awareness of their new volunteer centre which already has over 100 volunteers.”

School Name: Coláiste Muire, Ennis, Co. Clare
Project Name: C the Bright Side
Award: Making Our World Healthier - Physical Health Challenge

Award presented by Dr. Nazih Eldin,Director of Health Promotion, HSE Dublin North East.

The tragic passing of Ciara, a school friend of this team, due to cancer in May 2010, inspired this YSI class to celebrate and commemorate her life. They did this by designing a memorial garden in the school. This project also aimed to raise awareness about teenage cancer and raise money for CanTeen Ireland, an organisation which supports teenagers with cancer.

The team formed many links within the school community including teachers and fellow students. They also worked with Ciara’s parents and cousin. A representative from CanTeen Ireland visited the school and spoke to the students about the realities of teenage cancer.

A survey was carried out to discover how students in the school had been affected by cancer. The results were carefully analysed. A fashion show was organised to celebrate Ciara’s life and to raise funds. They linked with several commercial outlets for sponsorship and with a local modeling agency.

Since September 2010, they have worked to create a memorial garden to embody Ciara’s positive spirit. The team aimed to produce a book of poetry in memory of Ciara so that other teenagers with cancer can be inspired and feel stronger throughout their treatment. Ciara’s motto was ‘C the bright side’ and the project has helped them to follow this view.

The judges said “This project dealt with a deeply sensitive personal issue in a way that is creative, inspiring and positive, through celebrating the life of a school friend. They raised awareness of the issue of teen cancer and raised significant funds while leaving a lasting memorial of their friend.”

School Name: St. Columba’s Comprehensive School, Glenties, Co. Donegal
Project Name: I Swing that Way?
Award: Making Our World Healthier - Mental Health Challenge

Award presented by Geoff Day, Director of the National Office for Suicide Prevention, Health Service Executive

The students focused on the subject of homophobic bullying in secondary schools. Information was collected from Glen and BeLonG To websites, from equality documents, newspapers and magazines. The team also contacted an Advocacy Officer from BeLonG To and a Director in Donegal Youth Council.

A survey was distributed to the teachers within the school on the issue to establish their feelings and attitudes towards the topic. The results prompted the students to ask their principal for permission to organise a half day in-service workshop for teachers focusing on homophobic bullying. A representative from Breakout facilitated the workshop.

Every second level school in Ireland was written to, to inform them of the project in the hope that they will do the same. To cover the postage expenses, they organised a non –uniform day - Rainbow Day, where students paid €2 in the hope of raising the much needed €800.

The team organised and held a Stand–Up week to allow students to stand up for their LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) friends and stand up against homophobic bullying. Posters were displayed around the school and the team approached SPHE teachers and asked them to do some exercises with the classes on the issue. The students feel confident that they have created awareness about the issue of homophobic bullying, especially amongst teachers.

The judges said this project “Identified the need to challenge and train teachers and staff in the school as part of wider community education on LGBT issues. The work culminated in Stand Up week in the school to stand up against homophobic bullying.”

School Name: Loreto Convent, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Project Name: Reduce the Abuse
Award: Making Our World Fair and Just Challenge

Award presented by Sr. Miriam Hennessy, Mother Provincial, Irish Sisters of Charity.

This project highlighted the need to raise awareness about the issue of domestic abuse. The team used the internet and visited websites such as Childline and Barnardos.

A partnership was formed with Childline and a speaker from the organisation came to the school to speak to the group about the issue. Contact was also made with Donegal Domestic Violence Centre and they visited the centre to gather additional information.

A conference was organized in the An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny in January 2011. The conference consisted of both a morning and an afternoon session. The group created a drama based on domestic abuse and this was shown during the conference. Articles promoting the event appeared in The Letterkenny Post.

Representatives from Barnardos, The Donegal Woman’s Domestic Violence Service, an Garda Siochana and individuals who have been affected by domestic abuse spoke at the conference. Feedback from the event showed that the audience found the conference to be extremely informative.

The group hopes to hold an event in the school gym in the future, in which 1^st year students and Transition Year students will wear white t-shirts and form the shape of a ribbon in order to further raise aware of domestic abuse.

The judges said “This team demonstrated a high level of organisation and co-ordination in organising a conference on domestic abuse for schools in the area. Excellent partnerships made and a real empathy and understanding of the issue shown.”

School Name: Mercy Heights Secondary School, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
Project Name: Smooth Cycling
Award: Making Our World Safer Challenge

Award presented by Karina Howley, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, KPMG.

This project aimed to get the local community more involved in cycling and to secure more cycling facilities in Skibbereen, for example, bicycle stands for the public. The group also wanted to highlight the importance of safety while cycling, especially the importance of wearing a helmet and making drivers more aware of cyclists and their safety.

Research was conducted using the internet and the Road Safety Authority was contacted for information. A survey was compiled and distributed to students in the school in order to ascertain what level of information the students had about cycling safely. The group was shocked to discover that a large percentage of students were not wearing their cycling helmets when cycling.

External links were made with Headway - a brain injury organisation. A local bike shop owner and a member of the community who organises sponsored charity cycles were contacted and visited the school to give their experiences of safety and awareness of cyclists on the roads.

In response to the issue the group held an 8 mile cycle for 1st to 4th years. Local media such as The Southern Star and Red FM were contacted to cover the cycle and contacts were also made with The Civil Defense, paramedics and the local Gardai who all attended.

A forge worker was commissioned to construct bicycle stands for the town. The team aims to change the law in relation to cycling in Ireland to make the wearing of cycling helmets compulsory and they will continue to promote their wise advice “Wear Your Helmet, Save Your Head”.

The judges said “This was an exceptionally innovative project which highlighted the importance of safety while cycling. The team developed partnerships with Headway, the Civil Defense, paramedics and the local Gardai. They used a variety of communication methods including contact with local newspapers and radio.”

School Name: Mercy College, Coolock, Co. Dublin
Project Name: Let’s Get Greener
Award: Making Our World Greener Challenge

Award presented by Tommy Walshe, President, National Parents Council, Post Primary.

This project aimed to increase student awareness of recycling and reduce their school’s litter problem.

The students studied newspaper articles on the topic, surveyed the students in their school to get their opinions on the litter problem and interviewed teachers on the issue.

The team took part in a workshop about litter with an Environmental Protection Officer who discussed how Environmental Protection Agency protects the natural environment. A Green Schools Officer also gave a presentation on waste disposal.

During Repak Recycling week, the students organised a poster campaign and several competitions including a tidy class competition, best recycling superhero drawing, best recycling motto for the school and they offered a prize for the best recycling poem. Students took part in the National Spring Tidy competition 2011.

A ‘Let’s Get Greener’ notice-board was created in the school, as well as a Green Committee. In the future, the team would like to increase the number of green committee members, increase recycling facilities, achieve green flag status for the school and create further awareness about recycling and reducing school litter.

The judges said this is a “Very well researched project with strong partnerships. They employed innovative awareness-raising, which included a puzzle. The team has very good ideas to keep the project going.”

School Name: St. Angela’s College, Cork, Co. Cork
Project Name: Because of You
Award: Relationships and Sexual Health Challenge

Award presented by Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe, Acting Director, HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme.

The team wanted to promote positive relationships amongst teenagers and to demonstrate that all teenagers deserve to be treated well in a relationship. The aim was to raise awareness about abusive relationships and give people the courage to break away from unhealthy relationships.

The internet was utilized to collect relevant data. A number of speakers were invited to discuss the topic with the class, including a Home School Liaison Officer, speakers from Mná Fease and Barnardos. All speakers spoke about unhealthy relationships amongst men and women and the different types of abuse and how difficult it is for someone in an unhealthy relationship to break free.

The students performed a sketch in the school Christmas concert and set up a stand in the school library with information and leaflets. A comic strip was designed to engage fellow students.

They organised an awareness day in their local shopping centre and set up an information stand where they gave out packs containing fact cards, questionnaires, information on local services, pens, balloons, and lollipops to the relevant age group. They also spoke to members of the public.

A balloon day is planned to continue the awareness raising. By the time the project is completed, they aim to educate teenagers on how to avoid unhealthy relationships.

The judges said “This project deals with an issue that affects all teenagers. Along with organising numerous activities in their school, they partnered with their local shopping centre to create awareness of this issue. They gave out fact cards and lollipops and spoke to the general public.”

School Name: Presentation College, Tuam, Co. Galway
Project Name: Hope Square
Award: YSI Step-Up Challenge

Award presented by Annalisa O'Carroll, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland.

This was a continuation of the project ‘Bloom and Broom for Tuam’ (2009/2010) through which students greatly improved the appearance of Bishop Street in the town of Tuam. This year’s team wanted to expand the project further and continue improvements to their town.

The team believe there is a strong connection between the physical appearance of a town and its commercial viability.

Five hundred people were surveyed in the town and, based on the findings, they put a plan in place to improve the town’s appearance. A public meeting was organised and local County Councilors were invited.

A neglected square was transformed into an enclosed space of beauty and character as the team aimed to creat a strong sense of pride of place.

Improvements included creating a sculpture and a history wall, planting trees and planting tubs, creating paintings and graphics. These were financed by the YSI Den 2010, Tuam Town Council and NAPD (National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals). Other partners included Galway County Council, Tuam County Engineer, Galway Planning Officer, a Garden Centre, Coffey Construction and Mayor Flanagan.

The community has been empowered to become the architects of their own town and their physical environment.

The judges believed “This project maintained its commitment to its town and the team showed determination to follow through on developing the project and is making a real difference in the community.”

School Name: Coláiste Muire, Ennis, Co. Clare
Project Name: C the Bright Side
Award: YSI Fun-Raising Challenge

Award presented by Norma Smurfit, Smurfit Foundation.

The tragic passing of a school friend, Ciara, due to cancer inspired this YSI class to do something special to celebrate and commemorate her life.

The team raised awareness about teen cancer as well as using that opportunity to raise much needed funds for CanTeen Ireland, an organisation which supports teenagers with cancer. 

They team organised a high profile fashion show to celebrate Ciara’s life and raise funds for their chosen charity. Their fundraising efforts gathered support from the whole community.

School Name: St. Anne’s Secondary School, Rosanna Rd, Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary
Project Name: W.O.O.F. – Welfare of Our Furry Friends
Award: YSI Using Technology to Change the World for Good Challenge

Award presented by Leo Norris, YSI Board Member.

This team used on line media to increase awareness about the amount of neglected animals in the area and the idea of raising funds for Cottage Rescue Centre.

http://welfareofourfurryfriends.weebly.com/ is the address to the website created by the team - an informative and youth friendly website which gives information on a range of topics including pet adoptions, dog walkers and even a dog wash the team holds every Friday.