Next Wednesday, 14th November, the Castle Park Centre in Lisnaskea is the place to go for young people with Down's Syndrome or with learning difficulties.
From next Wednesday, the Down's Syndrome Association will be holding a fortnightly club for young people, aged 13 years and upwards there. The club will be run with the help of local volunteers, and it aims first to find out what these young people would like to do, and also to inform them what sort of activities are available to them in the local area.
Regional Youth Worker for the Down's Syndrome Association of Northern Ireland, Dougie Treverton, explained that this was only the start of their youth work: "We want to find out, from the young people themselves, what they might want to do. We will inform them of what activities are available, find out what they want to do and then facilitate them.
"The clubs are all about working on the personal and social development (of the young people) and we aim to build up their self-esteem and their confidence."
Dougie suggested that this could mean activity days, trips away or other activities (possibly outdoor or indoor).
"On the first night (Wednesday 14th) we will be asking parents and carers to be there, for the first part of the night at least, to help with filling in of forms," he explained.
After the first night, the evening sessions will be looked after by volunteers. The Association has 95 volunteers across NI, including several in Fermanagh, willing to help.
"The suitable volunteers have all gone through suitable training and are ready and able to help the young people," he reported.
Dougie has no idea how many people might turn up. However, through promotion in the 'Herald', he hopes more young people with learning difficulties or with Down's Syndrome will be encouraged to come along.
Everyone is welcome to attend and, if you aren't able to make the first night, don't worry, you will be welcome to come along on Wednesday, 28th November.
The club runs each Wednesday evening in the Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea, from 7.00pm–9.00pm.
