Youth Action Project Sligo (YAPS)

Garda Youth Diversion Project

Background

In 1999 Youth Action Project Sligo was formed as a partnership between North Connaught Youth and Community Services, Irish Youth Justice Service and an Garda Siochana. Funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform / Irish Youth Justice Service and co-funded by the European Social Fund.
Garda Youth Diversion Projects are part supported by the Irish Government and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020.

Target Group:

YAPS-GYDP work with 12 to 18 year old in the Sligo Borough area that are involved in criminal or anti-social behavior or at risk of becoming involved in this behaviour. Referrals can be made by the Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer (J.L.O), Community Gardai, TUSLA, Home Youth Liaison Service, Probation Service, Schools or through contacting the service directly.

Aims of YAPS:

Identify young people at risk and plan and deliver intervention programmes
Direct young people away from conflict with authorities e.g. Gardai, courts, residents and community groups.
Provide a safe place for young people to discuss issues important to them.
Develop Gardai and community relationships.
Provide support to those young people in need of emotional and developmental support.

Objectives of YAPS:

To identify and work directly with the young people at risk of being in trouble with the law.
To provide young people with skills and alternative ways to spend their time.
To foster positive relationships between young people, local authorities, community groups and those in authority.

What Programmes are available in YAPS

Individual Work and Group Work:

Cookery and Life-Skills programme
Outward bound activities e.g. camping, orienteering
Driver theory test preparation
Music lessons
Copping on-crime awareness initiative
Alcohol and Drug awareness/education programme
Fireworks- The dangers

Road Safety Seminar

Sporting activities:

Self-development programmes
Healthy living
Arts and Crafts
Positive Choice Program
Anger Management Work
Conflict Resolution Work
Educational Programmes
Restorative Activities
Prison Visits
Look at the Law
Employment preparation

The Road Safety programme is an annual joint initiative between YAPS, An Garda Siochana, RSA and Sligo County Council. This event takes place every September. It involves the RSA Roll-over simulator and Shuttle, NCYCS Information Stand, YAPS Project Staff and An Garda Siochana Traffic Corps in position in Stephen Street car park for two days. YAPS Project staff contact all secondary schools in Sligo to book in their group for the event.

Intervention Outcomes:

Young people have a unique experience of the RSA’s Roll-Over Simulator and the RSA Shuttle.
An Garda Siochana; Traffic Corp, YAPS Project Staff and the RSA staff were on hand to provide advice and information on road safety issues and learning to drive.