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Youth reach Amber status for promoting positive mental health

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By Michelle Crean

Hard work promoting positive mental health and well-being has secured an Amber Flag for the students and staff at Killarney Youthreach.

The Amber Flag is an initiative run by Pieta House that recognises the individual efforts of schools, Youthreach centres, third level institutions, and community groups to create healthy, inclusive environments that support mental well-being.

Killarney Youthreach students and staff came together in order to create a safe, positive and healthy attitude towards general physical and mental health and well-being.

In order to promote positive mental health and well-being, they engaged in a range of activities and actions including: mindfulness, creating a mental health and well-being noticeboard, organising a positive mental health week, engaging in mental health awareness training, timetabling physical activity in the outdoors, practicing gratitude and journaling. Students and staff are mindful of the five pillars of good mental health: connect with others, be active, take notice, keep learning and give.

“The efforts our young people put in were monumental and we are delighted that their hard work is being recognised nationally with the presentation of the Amber Flag,” Majella Hegarty, Killarney Youthreach Amber Flag staff leader, told the Killarney Advertiser.

Accepting Applications

Killarney Youthreach is now accepting applications from students who have left school. Kerry Education and Training Board’s Killarney Youthreach is operating out of a new purpose built premises at the rear of 50 High Street. Two main courses are on offer; Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Level 3 (NQF Junior Cert equivalent) and QQI Level 4 (NQF pass Leaving Cert equivalent). Each course has a range of subjects including computers, maths, communications, biology, and interpersonal skills. Killarney Youthreach also offers work experience, sports, outdoor activities, personal development, as well as CV and interview preparation.

Youthreach is co-funded by the Government of Ireland, the European Social Fund and the Youth Employment Initiative as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning. A training allowance is provided. If you are looking for a second chance at education, are aged between 16 and 20, and interested in joining Killarney Youthreach, please ring 064 663 2559 to set up an appointment for an interview.

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Eight month wait for a driving test in Killarney

A Killarney councillor is calling for action in an effort to reduce the driving test wait list in Killarney The current wait list for a test in Killarney sits at […]

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A Killarney councillor is calling for action in an effort to reduce the driving test wait list in Killarney

The current wait list for a test in Killarney sits at eight months.

Cllr John O’Donoghue raised the issue at Monday’s full meeting of Kerry County Council.

He proposed that driving instructors should be employed to carry out the final test to reduce the current backlog.

At Monday’s meeting he asked that hat Kerry County Council would write to the Minister for Transport to ask him to consider giving driving instructors temporary powers to issue a temporary Driving Licence/Certificate of Competence to those on the waiting list for tests.

“The wait is currently far too long and the system is in danger of becoming completely overwhelmed,” he said.

“The huge waiting list for young drivers is well documented at this stage. In a case I am familiar with, a young person passed their theory test in January 2022 and he immediately applied for his mandatory 12 driving lessons. When these were completed, he applied for his driving test on the 2nd of December 2022. Some weeks ago, he still had not received an application to apply for his driving test. This wait is placing him and his family under considerable extra cost and stress which is completely unacceptable.”

In the course of his research into the matter Cllr O’Donoghue discovered that the next available date for a driving test in Killarney is May 25, 2024, while Tralee is June 3 2024.

“Bear in mind, these are only the dates on which you receive an invitation to book your test, the test itself will then be an estimated three to five weeks later.

“This is an appalling situation and one which needs to be rectified as a matter of urgency. I am proposing that driving instructors, which presumably are fully trained up on the rules of the road, be granted temporary powers to be allowed to issue temporary driving licences to young people. When the waiting list time has been reduced, I would still propose that these people sit the test as usual, but the current pressure needs to be alleviated as soon as possible. There is precedent as I believe that in the 1970s, a cohort in this country were issued driving licences without having sat a test as the wait time for the test was too long.”

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Ballymac charity vintage run on October 1

The Ballymac Vintage Club is hosting a classic car, tractor and Honda 50 run on October 1. The run will leave from and return to the Halfway Bar, Ballymac. Registration […]

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The Ballymac Vintage Club is hosting a classic car, tractor and Honda 50 run on October 1.

The run will leave from and return to the Halfway Bar, Ballymac.

Registration begins at 9:30am and sets off at 11am.

“There will be two separate routes with one for tractors and the other for cars and motorbikes. Proceeds on the day are in aid of Castleisland Day Care Centre and we’ll have plenty of spot prizes to giveaway too in the morning,” said the club’s PRO Kieran Glover.

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