Fermanagh Young Leaders Forum was established by Fermanagh Trust as part of the Community Leadership Programme, supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, to allocate resources to initiatives, tackling issues of direct importance to young people. This year’s group took complete ownership of the programme, leading their own research, planning, promotion and decision making. The team have been meeting since October 2022, developing their skills and knowledge of the process of grant making; together they created ‘The Hope Grant’ to help tackle issues of direct importance to them – poverty and domestic abuse.
The process is about listening to and engaging with young people who are passionate about making a difference and providing them with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to develop their thoughts and ideas into reality. It’s the belief that these young people will be our future leaders, so it is important that we support them to fulfil their potential and help them contribute to improving the lives of others. Fermanagh Trust are keen to engage with young people and learn from them about their priorities and their vision for the future.
This year they were delighted to have Bethany and Sarah from Enniskillen Royal on the Team. They were able to articulate the issues that were important to them through their presentations and then work with the rest of the Team to agree the priorities for tackling with this year’s Fund.
At their celebration event in Fermanagh House, the Fermanagh Young Leaders Forum saw their hard work come to fruition awarding grants totalling £4000 to three local organisations.
Cancer connect has been awarded £1500 of which £800 will be used on complementary therapies to help reduce the side effects of cancer treatments. They will also use £700 to buy multiple food and fuel vouchers to support cancer patients.
Women’s Aid have been presented with £1500 which will be used to purchase many food and fuel vouchers. These will be used by victims of domestic abuse who need help with the financial pressures they face.
Enniskillen food bank have been granted £1000. £800 will be used to provide food and fuel vouchers to those in need and £200 will be used to create a cook book of low cost recipes so people can save money on meals.
Well done Bethany and Sarah, we are very proud of you both here in ERGS.
