Projects > Youth Engagement Service
A youth friendly, holistic health and wellbeing service.
Age: 11-25 Areas: Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey
The Youth Engagement Service offers a unique blend of activities and programmes to enable young people to access health and wellbeing provision easily and without judgement.
The YMCA has been providing this unique service for many years in the community and offers safe social and recreation spaces, community outreach, and educational workshops, allowing young people the opportunity to socialise, to learn how to live healthier lifestyles, and receive the support they need.
The Youth Engagement Service uses a variety of innovative approaches to encourage young people to feel included, use their voice, and achieve their goals.
The Youth Engagement Service is funded by the Public Health Agency.
Email: info@carrickymca.org
What we offer
It’s important for young people to have the opportunity to relax, socialise and meet new people within a safe, friendly and welcoming environment.
Our social spaces run alongside our youth centre opening times and include:
• Afternoon Drop Ins
• Senior Youth Club
• Teenager Club
Drop in environment includes a study space. For more individual support around socialising please make a referral request.
We’re passionate about empowering young people through education and awareness, and we regularly run workshops and campaigns that tackle real-life issues and inspire positive change.
We have worked with local primary schools, post-primary school, colleges and voluntary groups to deliver targeted workshops.
Our Youth Committee gives young people a real voice in shaping what we do – and their ideas help drive the topics we cover. Recently, we’ve delivered workshops in partnership with MindWise, White Ribbon NI, and CoppaFeel!.
We can also create bespoke workshops to meet your needs – whether it’s mental health, confidence and self-esteem, self-care and stress management or healthy relationships. If you have a specific workshop in mind get in contact with the team to see what can we deliver.
Our One-to-One Mentoring program is all about you. We create a supportive, person-centred support to help you achieve your personal goals, overcome challenges, and build confidence by thinking through what’s right for you. We regularly provide mentoring support in a number of local post-primary schools and sessions are also delivered within Carrick YMCA.
Our mentors are there to listen, ask the right questions, and guide you in a way that puts you at the centre of the process. Whether you’re figuring out your next steps, tackling a challenge, or simply need someone to talk we would love to help support you.
We’re here to support young people in every way we can — and that includes knowing when and where to connect you with extra help. We work closely with a range of trusted agencies to ensure young people have access to the support they need through agencies such as Here2Help, Samaritans, CAMHS and Childline.
Whether you’re struggling with emotional wellbeing, need someone to talk to, or just want information, these services provide confidential support at any time. For individual support please contact the Youth Engagement Service Team.
Carrick YMCA provides the C-Card (Condom Distribution) Scheme which is a PHA funded confidential sexual health service for young people aged 16 – 25 years across Northern Ireland. The scheme provides free condoms, lubricants, support and signposting to other local sexual health services.
Where: 30-34 Irish Quarter West
When: Every Monday evening from 5:00 – 7:00pm
(other times on request)
Find out more about the C Card scheme registration process here.
It’s important for young people to have the opportunity to relax, socialise and meet new people within a safe, friendly and welcoming environment.
Our social spaces run alongside our youth centre opening times and include:
• Afternoon Drop Ins
• Senior Youth Club
• Teenager Club
Drop in environment includes a study space. For more individual support around socialising please make a referral request.
We’re passionate about empowering young people through education and awareness, and we regularly run workshops and campaigns that tackle real-life issues and inspire positive change.
We have worked with local primary schools, post-primary school, colleges and voluntary groups to deliver targeted workshops.
Our Youth Committee gives young people a real voice in shaping what we do – and their ideas help drive the topics we cover. Recently, we’ve delivered workshops in partnership with MindWise, White Ribbon NI, and CoppaFeel!.
We can also create bespoke workshops to meet your needs – whether it’s mental health, confidence and self-esteem, self-care and stress management or healthy relationships. If you have a specific workshop in mind get in contact with the team to see what can we deliver.
Find out more >
Our One-to-One Mentoring program is all about you. We create a supportive, person-centred support to help you achieve your personal goals, overcome challenges, and build confidence by thinking through what’s right for you. We regularly provide mentoring support in a number of local post-primary schools and sessions are also delivered within Carrick YMCA.
Our mentors are there to listen, ask the right questions, and guide you in a way that puts you at the centre of the process. Whether you’re figuring out your next steps, tackling a challenge, or simply need someone to talk we would love to help support you.
Signposting & Referrals
We’re here to support young people in every way we can — and that includes knowing when and where to connect you with extra help. We work closely with a range of trusted agencies to ensure young people have access to the support they need through agencies such as Here2Help, Samaritans, CAMHS and Childline.
Whether you’re struggling with emotional wellbeing, need someone to talk to, or just want information, these services provide confidential support at any time.
Carrick YMCA provides the C-Card (Condom Distribution) Scheme which is a PHA funded confidential sexual health service for young people aged 16 – 25 years across Northern Ireland. The scheme provides free condoms, lubricants, support and signposting to other local sexual health services.
Where: 30-34 Irish Quarter West
When: Every Monday evening from 5:00 – 7:00pm
(other times on request)
Find out more about the C Card scheme registration process here.
