Derry's Declan Doherty honoured with 'North West Business Hero 2023'

Derry Youth and Community Workshop staff, board members and learners (past and present), are delighted that their Chief Executive, Mr Declan Doherty, received the North West Business Hero Award at the Derry Chamber of Commerce – North West Business Awards, following a ceremony held recently in the City Hotel.

Declan, has been Chief Executive of Derry Youth and Community Workshop since May 1990.

The Workshop is a registered charity, founded in 1978 by Declan's father, Mr. Paddy Doherty.

Derry Youth and Community Workshop, under the successful Leadership and Management of Declan Doherty continues to deliver on its original mission statement:-

• To provide training in and facilitate the development of both personal and vocational skills: thereby allowing the person to reach their full potential and to channel their talents towards enhancing their own lives and the life of the community as a whole;
• To enhance the employment prospects of the person.

Over many years, Declan has secured funding for various programme from the Department for the Economy, Department for Communities and European Social Fund.

Declan being presented with North West Business Hero Award.

These programmes have allowed training and support opportunities for young people and long term unemployed, many of these having barriers to learning due to mental or physical disabilities, resulting in:

• Vocational areas of Retail, Information Technology, Business Administration, Hairdressing and Barbering, Pharmacy, Customer Service and Health and Social Care.
• Employability and Personal and Social Skills.
• Essential Skills in Communication, Application for Number and ICT.
• Short training courses in areas of Food Safety, Manual Handling, COSHH, Moving and Handling of People, First Aid at Work, Fire Safety, Warehousing and Storage and Safeguarding.

Declan, has earned this recognition for his contribution to supporting thousands of unemployed young people and adults over many years in their personal development resulting in them achieving qualifications and progressing into employment or further education.

Declan, is a fantastic Manager of people with a unique management style, he is approachable, shows equality and faireness to all staff and learners and has a commitment to Continued Professional Development.

This style of management is reflective in the retention of staff within the Derry Youth and Community Workshop and their dedication to both Declan and the Workshop.

Despite no funding being available to deliver the Job Assist Programme, Derry Youth continue to deliver this service, which includes help with Cvs, job search and applications.

This service is vital to enable local unemployed people to progress towards and into employment.

Derry Youth and Community Workshop staff and board members.

Derry Youth and Community Workshop continue to recruit all year around for our Department for the Economy, Skills for Life and Work Programme for anyone 16-18 years of age or up to 22 years of age if they have a disability.

This programme covers Vocational Training, Employability Skills, Personal and Social Skills and Essential Skills in Communication, Application of Number and ICT.

Work placements are sourced to match vocational area, with bonuses of over £500 throughout the duration of the programme.