Fermanagh and Omagh Youth Voice

This is a 2-year programme managed by the Education Authority Youth Service in Partnership with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council along with other statutory bodies.

Fermanagh and Omagh Youth Voice will provide opportunities for members to articulate the views and experiences of young people by participating in consultations and engagements and advocating and lobbying on behalf of young people on issues which are important to them. Members will be supported to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes to facilitate their contribution to the programme.

A series of study visits, residentials and other social activities will give members the space to build relationships with peers from across the district who share a passion to be a representative voice for young people in their area.

Welcoming the Youth Voice young people to the Council Offices at the Grange in Omagh the Chair of Fermanagh Omagh District Council Barry McElduff said, “One of the outcomes of the Fermanagh and Omagh Community Plan 2030 is to ensure that our young people have the best start in life and opportunities to fulfil their potential. The establishment of Youth Voice is one initiative which will help to ensure this outcome is realised.
It is often said that our young people are the leaders of the future, however, you can also be leaders of the present. As a member of Fermanagh and Omagh Youth Voice you can lead by example and you have the power to influence decisions which are being made today to ensure a better future for you and future generations.
I look forward to opportunities to work with Fermanagh and Omagh Youth Voice in the future and I will you every success.”

Ryan McGee, Senior Youth Officer from the Education Authority Youth Service added: “Fermanagh and Omagh Youth Voice will be fun and engaging, as well as providing a very real opportunity for young people to have their say across the district on key themes and issues that are real and important to them. We need new young people with fresh and innovative ideas coming through to make sure our area is t best it can be and are at the heart of our planning and discussions”.

The young people also commented the following “It was really enjoyable to meet the Chairman, see the Council chamber and experience how the Council works. I particularly found it useful to listen to his advice about being an advocate for young people.”

“It was great for Fermanagh and Omagh Youth Voice to make a presentation to our Council Chairman so that we could share our passion and drive for supporting young people, highlight the issues we feel are important to us and to help begin the process of working together with the Council to do this.”

Fermanagh and Omagh Youth Voice consists of 30+ young people between the ages of 16 and 21 who live in the Fermanagh and Omagh area and represent the views of their peers across the district and have a say on key local issues.

Youth Voice is funded in partnership with EA and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Good Relations Programme
(T:BUC)