First Online Irish Youth Chat Service Launched – Organisations Accelerate Initiative in Light of Current Crisis

 

Youth Work Ireland Cavan Monaghan are part of an exciting new National Service for young people. It is a  new unique online youth chat system called the Digital Youth Information Chat Service, which can be accessed on www.spunout.ie

The service is staffed by professional Youth Information Workers and is available to young people from 4pm to 8pm and is aimed at young people aged between 16 and 25, it is impartial, non-judgmental, reliable, and accurate.

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In welcoming the launch of the Digital Youth Information Chat Service, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. Katherine Zappone said, that

 

“the launch of the chat line service today is particularly welcome at a time when young people are facing enormous challenges in all areas of their lives, particularly in matters of mental health, but are also harnessing their talents and capabilities to play a crucial role in the societal response to the current Covid-19 crisis. I would like to commend the Youth Information Partnership for working together nationally to provide information for young people on a dedicated online facility. Any initiative which seeks to support young people in maintaining their health and wellbeing is particularly welcome now and into the future.”

 

“This new service is a natural extension of what youth information workers do day to day but enhances this work by recognising both the importance of the online lives that young people lead and of course the current period which presents huge challenges for young people. It builds on the existing partnership between Crosscare, YMCA, Youth Work Ireland who have provided physical Youth Information Centres and SpunOut which has been a leader in the online space. This is a major first for Ireland in these difficult times and we expect it to make a significant contribution to young peoples lives” Said Melissa Mackin of Youth Work Ireland Cavan Monaghan.

“In an era of false news and confusion online Youth Information Service partners bring expertise to this work by providing quality youth information to young people in a way the helps them to use the information and take positive action in their lives. It will provide youth information to young people who can’t easily access physical Youth Information Centres.  We know the need for the service based on our day to day experience. The service is critical because it responds to young people’s information needs in real time and helps them navigate different arguments and information sources by being able to interact with a trained professional through the chat service” said Melissa Mackin from YWI Monaghan.