NATIONAL AWARD: Pictured at the Young Social Innovators Ireland Awards 2019 at Croke Park, Dublin are students and staff from Killarney Community College who won the Social Media Award. Photo by Debbie Hickey.

By Michelle Crean

Killarney students are celebrating this week after winning a national award for their project to make their community a better place to live.

The youngsters from Killarney Community College won the National Young Social Innovators Social Media Award at the YSI Awards Ceremony under the category 'Making our Community Better' in Croke Park, for their project 'Be Dementia Aware', on May 15.

Working in teams, young people aged between 15-18 identify a social issue of concern to them, explore it and come up with real actions to create change.

The Killarney students were one of 31 finalists through to the awards out of 413 innovative projects around Ireland. Each was presented with a pin and a glass trophy designed by John Rocha.

The main aim of 'Be Dementia Aware' is to raise awareness about dementia and how it effects families, their YSI Guide and teacher, Lorraine Crowley explained.

“The students believed that this issue needed to be explored and wanted to create an environment where everyone can support people with dementia and their loved ones through their difficult times,” she said.

“The group of students were invited to Dáil Éireann  where they were greeted and guided by TD Michael Healy-Rae and treated like VIPs.”

The students created and have actively used a number of different social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to publicise their awareness campaign throughout the year.

‘Be Dementia Aware’ created innovative and educational videos to inform people in the community about dementia and support families who have loved ones with the illness . These can be viewed on their social media platforms, their YouTube channel and also their website www.bedementiaaware.com.

“The passion and innovation these students have shown since the beginning of the year is an inspiration to all young people in Kerry and beyond. They showed great care and support towards the families and the people who have dementia in their community.”

Team member Aoife O’Brien added that they know they are making a difference in their community.

“Because of us, people are much more educated and feel comforted and touched that a group of young people care so much about raising awareness about this issue.”
Student Caoimhe Fleming added that one woman donated money to them in memory of her mother who suffered from dementia and passed away in January.

“We have donated this to the Rockmount Care Centre in Kilgarvan.”