The January workshop is really practical and provides valuable information for YSI Guides. It is a fun, interactive, informal morning and allows attendees an opportunity to share ideas and experiences.

The workshop will focus primarily on preparing for the Speak Outs; writing and submitting the report, feedback and the optional elements of the programme – the YSI Den, the Fun-raising Challenge and the Technology Challenge. We will also focus on the Annual Showcase. 

Part of the session includes a creative communications session by Jenny MacDonald from Desertfish Productions, who will focus on a number of creative techniques that Guides can take back to their teams to prepare them for their Speak Out presentations.

Guides remarks on YSI In-Service Training include:

"Excellent knowledge of how teachers actually operate in the classroom";

"Fantastic, interactive, relaxed and informative";

"The best I have been to - very practical resources – excellent!".

In-Service Training workshops will take place on the following dates:

Dublin: Saturday 12th January 2013 (09:00 - 13:30)

Carrick on Shannon: Saturday 19th January 2013 (09:00 - 13:30)

Limerick: Saturday 19th January 2013 (09:00 - 13:30)

Cork: Saturday 26th January 2013 (09:00 - 13:30)

YSI recommends that all Guides book their place now by calling 01 6458030 or emailing admin@youngsocialinnovators.ie.

Several YSI projects have featured on radio recently and here, we give you links to a couple of inspiring interviews. If your YSI team has an upcoming radio or television interview - let us know so that we can share it with others!

St. Peter's College, Dunboyne, winners of the One World Challenge 2012, were interviewed on Newstalk's Global Village as part of a fortnightly series on the work of young social innovators being aired by the show. This team focussed on the issue of human rights in Zimbabwe. To learn more about the project, you can listen to the broadcast here (click the One World link). 

Largy College, Clones, took to the airwaves on Northern Sound to highlight their project on HIV for World Aids Day. They explained their ambitious aim to help rid the world of the stigma that can be attached to HIV, and highlight that the problem is still prevalent. The team also discussed their fundraising campaign for Open Heart House (over €1000 raised already). You can listen to the broadcast here. 

Several YSI projects have also been featured over the last few weeks on the Impact Youth show on Liffey FM - links will follow on our social media channels.

Follow YSI on Twitter @YSINow, Pinterest, or Facebook as we'll be uploading links to future broadcasts. 

Well done to all the teams involved! 

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: