What has Laois Comhairle been up to lately???

Following on from our AGM in November 2011, we’ve been working on issues which young people from all over Laois raised that day.

The topics that Laois Comhairle has chosen to work on this year are:

• Skills for Leaving Home
• Positive Body Image for Young People

Skills for Leaving Home
The Comhairle is working on developing a handbook for young people to use, which will help you when you’re leaving to live away from home for the first time in your life. Maybe you’re going off to college, maybe you’re moving out of home, whatever the reason, it would be good to get a few survival tips when going it alone for the first time.

We’re hoping to make the book available to 5th and 6th year students in all the schools in Laois and also in youth clubs across the county. Watch this space!!

Positive Body Image
Laois Comhairle wants to encourage young people to accept themselves as they are naturally. We are working on ways to do this locally, such as going into our secondary schools and hosting a 30 Day Hair & Makeup Challenge”. We’re hoping that this project will increase confidence, self acceptance and change the outlook of young people’s perception of their “real” selves.

Keep an eye out for publicity in relation to a Challenge in your area/school. 

Check out www.iymaspace.ie or http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/IYMAs-Laois-2012/326000430769531 for details of the Laois Heat which is to take place on 3rd March 2012 in Kavanagh’s Pub, Portlaoise.

This year, building on the success of the previous two “Trick ‘R Street” events, Laois County Council, in conjunction with Laois Partnership, Laois Community Forum, Laois Comhairle na nÓg and young people from across Laois, will host the
“Over the Moon Village” on the Civic Plaza Portlaoise on
Saturday, 29^th October 2011 from 2.00pm until 8.00pm.

The aim of the event, marking National Recreation Week 2011, is to promote artistic development among young people, who have created high quality atmospheric displays, along with providing a spooky fun event for all the family to enjoy!

In the weeks leading up to this event, and with thanks to funding provided by Laois Partnership Company, youth groups and TY students from all across the county have been taking part in workshops to create and design 2D and 3D props and scenery with fun and games, based on the “Over the Moon” theme, all under the watchful and creative eye of Mr. John Doheny, artist and creative director of the event. Groups taking part include, Durrow Scouts, APA Youth Group, Portlaoise, Youth Work Ireland, Clonaslee TY students, Mountmellick Youth Development Centre, Youthreach students and the National Learning Centre.

Fun and games such as the Spook School , The Fish Tank, Farm Yard Storytelling and Fruit Blast, all designed and constructed by young people will also be accompanied by Bungee Trampolining, the Climbing Wall, face painting and lots more to do and see at the event. Festive harvest food will also be available at the venue!

So start your Halloween Bank holiday weekend off in style with a visit to a spooky Harvest fair at Over the Moon Village, Civic Plaza, Portlaoise, kicking off at 2.00pm next Saturday, 29^th October.