Now in its fifth year the Centres of Social Innovators (COSI) programme is delighted to welcome our six new Centres. We can't wait to see the projects you'll inspire! We'd also like to extend our gratitude to our existing Centres for their continued work- well done on all your successes and good luck with this year's projects.

Since their training in September, the YSI Advocate teams from each of the Centres have been hard at work leading and facilitating social innovation in their schools and local communities. It’s very exciting to see the range of ideas, actions and events already coming through. Each month we plan to highlight a small selection of the great work being done in four different Centres.

Cashel Community School is new to the Centre’s programme this year and have got off to a flying start! One issue that the Advocates of Cashel Community School want to raise awareness about is that of male cancers. As part of their Blue Day, all staff arrived in wearing shades of blue, while male volunteers from Tranistion Year and the staff body plucked up the courage to have their legs waxed as part of the campaign. Along with a bake sale the Advocates raised €1,500 which they donated to the South East Radiotherapy Trust (SERT) and Whitfield Cancer Unit as well as providing an important platform for fathers, brothers, uncles and friends to become aware and talk about male cancers. The Advocate Team is continuing to grow and the range of ideas and plans they have seems to know no bounds.

The YSI Advocate Team from Cashel Community School. A new Centre of Social Innovators in 2012-13.

Ballincollig Community School is also new to the Centres of Social Innovators programme this year. Their Advocates have called their team Cloud9 and, with help from volunteers such as the Art & Woodwork teachers, they have created a wishes box and mini Ferris wheel to collect and highlight ideas coming from the other students. They are currently working closely with 1^st and 2^nd years to run fun events to give people the opportunity to get to know each other and build awareness of the work of local charities such as Trace and Marymount Hospice, through brainstorming classes, human bingo, and movie nights. Complete with Santa, his Elves and lots of food, the group and their volunteers screened Elf on November 21^st for students and the wider community to get into the Christmas spirit!


The YSI Advocate Team from Ballincollig Community School who have named their group Cloud9.

The Advocates of Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty continue to build upon the foundations set by previous years. The ten strong Advocate Team have worked with staff, the students union and others to run a Friendship week for first year students, each day hosted by different representatives. Activities included; speed friending, fun-day, social networking, Balloon Buds and the week culminated in a Friday Party. Future plans include Mental Health Awareness Week, Multi-Cultural Week and the generation of social innovation ideas from the school community through a “wispa for wishes” event as well as raising the profile of their team and Centre through their noticeboard, social media and school website.

Presentation College Tuam Advocates recognised through a survey of first years that there were opportunities to hold a variety of events to promote an open, friendly environment within the school community. Starting with Toast & Tea Fridays, the Advocates have been hosting breakfast mornings for first years that arrive early to the school, providing a new space for getting to know new people, as well as an opportunity to get extra help with homework from the Advocates and to play games before classes begin. A really innovative initiative has been the establishment of “Junior Advocates”; three students selected from each first year group will lead and encourage their classes to become actively involved in new projects and events throughout the year.

The 2012-13 Centres of Social Innovators are: