Boost for the creative youth partnership in Limerick
LIMERICK and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB) is strengthening its commitment to the region through its continued Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP).
One of three programmes piloted nationwide in 2019, the partnership is part of the creative youth pillar within Creative Ireland.
The voice of the child and young person is central to its work with state and voluntary agencies in delivering creative programmes for young people in communities across Limerick and Clare.
“At a time when young people’s mental health is a topic for more discussion, youth-centred programmes are more important than ever in providing a safe space where young people can express themselves creatively,” a spokesperson for Limerick and Clare ETB said.
This coincides with the appointment of a new co-ordinator who has plans for enhancement of its programmes in a move that will also generate more creative jobs.
LCYP’s newly-appointed co-ordinator Zara Starr Madden brings a wealth of experience to the position having worked with young people in the professional arts for over 15 years as an actor, theatre maker, filmmaker, dancer, singer and mindfulness facilitator.
“Zara is a native of Clarecastle in County Clare and is passionate about developing programmes which will not only help young people express themselves creatively but also champion the issues which are important to them,” a spokesperson for Limerick and Clare ETB said.
Speaking about her new role, Zara says her methodology has always centred on raising awareness of our own creative potential.
“Everyone holds creative value. I have always been responsive and adaptive to participants' needs and, now as LCYP co-ordinator, I get to do this work on a much larger scale. My job is to find out what local youth communities want creatively and provide support in making that happen, which is fantastic,” Ms Starr Madden said.