New Youth Programme Opens in Galliagh to Support Young People Aged 9-18
The YouthStart initiative will deliver creative activities, mentoring, volunteering and safe social spaces for young people across Galliagh through a new three-year youth programme.
Greater Shantallow Community Arts has officially launched YouthStart, a new open-access initiative for young people aged 9 to 18 in the Galliagh area of Derry.
Supported through the Education Authority’s Local Area Youth Provision, YouthStart aims to provide safe, inclusive, and creative opportunities for young people to connect, develop confidence, build skills, and engage positively within their community. The funding has also supported the creation of three new youth work roles, with dedicated youth workers now in place to support participants throughout the programme.
The programme will run across multiple venues, including Studio 2, St Pio Parish Centre and St Brigid’s College, offering a structured weekly timetable for both junior participants aged 9-13 and senior participants aged 14-18.
Junior sessions for ages 9-13 will take place every Monday and Tuesday from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at St Pio Parish Centre, Wednesdays from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at St Brigid’s College, Fridays from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at Studio 2, and Saturdays from 9.30am to 10.30am at Studio 2.
Senior sessions for ages 14-18 will take place at Studio 2 every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 7.00pm to 9.00pm, with a Saturday session from 9.00am to 1.30pm.
Young people take part in a junior YouthStart session at St Pio’s Parish Centre in Galliagh following the launch of the new community youth programme delivered by Greater Shantallow Community Arts.
For more than 26 years, Greater Shantallow Community Arts has delivered youth and community programmes across the city. The launch of YouthStart marks a significant expansion of youth provision in Galliagh, with a focus on creativity, resilience, personal development, mentoring, youth voice, volunteering, and social connection.
Young people and families from across the community are welcome to register for the programme, meet the youth team, and explore the range of activities and facilities on offer.
Activities throughout the week will include creative workshops, games nights, group work sessions, youth-led projects, volunteering opportunities, and drop-in social spaces designed around the interests and needs of local young people.
Young people attend a senior YouthStart session at Studio 2 as part of the new youth programme launched by Greater Shantallow Community Arts.
Speaking about the youth programme, Artistic Director of GSCA Ollie Green said:
“YouthStart represents an important investment in young people across Galliagh and the wider community. We want to create opportunities where young people feel connected, supported, and inspired through creative activity, positive relationships, and accessible youth provision.”
Youth and Development Manager Aislinn Breslin added:
“YouthStart is about creating opportunities for young people to feel valued, supported, and empowered. We want every young person who walks through our doors to feel they belong, have a voice, and can grow in confidence within a safe and welcoming environment.”
The programme is free to attend and open to young people from across the wider community.
Families and young people can register and find out more information through the official YouthStart page:
https://www.studio2derry.com/youth-programme
(Left to right) Greater Shantallow Community Arts staff Simon Breslin, Ellie Dunne, Aislinn Breslin, Lillian Anderson and Mark Cooke pictured with new YouthStart information leaflets being distributed in Galliagh following the launch of the new youth programme for young people aged 9-18.
