Pictured above: Youth worker, Ciaran Quigley with children enjoying the community hub.
The Rainbow Child and Family Centre in Galliagh are challenging the idea that young people of the area are somehow troublemakers by giving the young people a voice.
Jacki Connolly of the Rainbow Child and Family Centre said the service has been operating in the area 33 years, firstly as a community playgroup then providing an after-school service, due to local demand.
In 2014 with the completion of their community hub, funded by the Department for Communities, they addressed a gap in the local area and started a much needed youth service.
Rainbow Child and Family Centre Community Hub.With funding from Children In Need the youth service has flourished offering full youth provision that runs six days a week with activities, programmes and a weekly drop-in facility for children and young people in the area aged five to 25 years.
“All the children and young people from the area, but particularly 12 years and older, are frustrated that there has been a lot of negative coverage around the anti-social elements within the community,” she said.
“These young people spend most of their week volunteering at Rainbow, helping out in the younger clubs, running activities for the 50+ club, and organising Family Fun Days. These positive factors are overshadowed by the behaviour of a small minority.
“Over the years we have had some antisocial behaviour and vandalism around this area and, yes, there are some young people in the area involved in negative behaviour but this is a very small percentage and those young people normally have underlying issues or lack of community involvement.
Staff and volunteers in the garden area where they have created new flower beds from old worn car tyres. Front, from left, are Christine Boyle, Jade Jackson and Paris Jackson. Standing, from left, are Shanice Boyce, Conor Jackson, Paula Moore and Kerri Connolly. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)Safe space
“Young people deserve the opportunities to engage with services such as ours and others working in the area, to have available safe spaces and environments to learn and develop, and to engage with youth programmes where they can challenge themselves and develop a sense of pride for themselves and their communities.
“This service has become a significant factor in many lives of the young people involved. Kerri, who has been part of Rainbow youth for the past three years describes rainbow as a ‘gateway to many opportunities and the chance to gain new qualifications and experience.’
“In fact our programmes and services are going from strength to strength and we are working with over 100 children and young people each day in our centre, the vast majority of which come from the Galliagh area.”
Jade, 17, attended the after school club and is currently involved in the14+ youth club, volunteering in the younger clubs weekly.
“Volunteering gives me something to do instead of hanging around the streets; I think Rainbow creates a positive and safe environment for everyone,” she said.
“For me, Rainbow has made me feel important within the community and has helped me build confidence whilst having fun!”
Children at the Rainbow Child and Family Centre surrounded by an array of brand new toys, bought for the centre from a Cash for Kids grant. Included are Jacki Connolly, manager, and Sinead King, staff. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)Enjoyable
Sarah, a member of the 9-12 age group said: “I like being able to come to Rainbow, to an enjoyable place away from the streets where I can hang out with my friends.”
Jacki said: “Our services provide the children and young people the freedom to play, use their imagination, make friends, build their social skills and create lasting memories; they are given a space where they feel safe, listened to and valued.
“The parents and local community are all very supportive of the Rainbow Child and Family Centre, with a wide range of programmes, clubs, day trips, residentials and engaging activities on offer, we are grateful to be funded by a wide range of funders including Big Lottery, the Police and Community Safety Partnership and Derry City and Strabane District Council.
“Most recently we were successful in receiving a grant of £2000 from Cash for Kids to buy well needed resources and equipment for our children and young people to enjoy.”
She added: “If you are a young person or a parent concerned about anti-social behaviour and you want to become involved, meet new people, develop confidence and make a positive impact within the community, call into our centre and find out more.”
* The Rainbow Child and Family Centre is located at 104 Bracken Park. You can contact them by telephone on 028 7135 3724.
Find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rainbowatbracken
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