Youth advocates are seeking applicants

YOUTH Advocate Programmes ( YAP) Ireland are currently looking for applicants for exciting, flexible roles working as Advocates with young people and families in the Drogheda area.

Siobhán O’Dwyer, CEO of YAP Ireland, said “This is an exciting opportunity for anyone in the Drogheda area interested in working with young people and families in their own community. Advocates can come from all walks of life. There is no specific qualification necessary with people of all ages and life experience thriving in the role. Full training is provided to all successful candidates. It is a role that offers great flexibility – with Advocates needing to be available for up to 15 hours per week. We are looking for people with a positive attitude and a never give up approach to help us achieve great things with young people in Drogheda.

“YAP worked with 53 young people in Louth in 2017. Our model is an incredibly effective way of improving outcomes for young people, with 83% of the young people we worked with in 2017 showing an improvement in their self-esteem and confidence; 77% showing an improvement in school attendance and 78% showing improvement in feeling withdrawn and isolated. 93% of those who were living at home when they commenced with YAP, remained at home at the end of the programme.”

Joan King, Service Manager for Louth said “Under the YAP model, we seek out Advocates living in the same community as our young people and families, to help them to build up supports that will remain in place after they have completed the programme. We are looking for people based in the Drogheda area who want to work with young people and families to help them to build a better future. I’d encourage anyone in Drogheda who is interested to apply through the YAP Ireland website before the deadline of Sunday 1st July.”