New service to boost career prospects for Whitehead youth

A computer room at the premises will allow young people to work on their CVs, search for jobs, and avail of careers advice.

The service, which was developed with the aid of funding from GROW and Big Lottery, is an extension of Genesis youth drop in centre and aims to provide guidance for people aged 16-24.

David Duly has been carrying out the role of project worker for Genesis Advance since January 2013.

“My main role is to get alongside young people and help them plan ahead,” said David. “This service was started to help young people revise, apply for jobs, get CVs built and help them talk about their hopes for the future. “

David, who was recently nominated for a dedication to young people award, was previously involved as a short term service worker in Scotland with the Reformed Presbyterian Church.

“From volunteering in Genesis I noticed some common things in the young people. I felt that they were under so much strain, with little guidance and had no one they could talk to,” he added.

“With my wide range of job experience which ranges from pushing trolleys to working backstage in a theatre, I know the lack of encouragement that can come from facing the future and I want to use this experience to help them.

“The service offers a relaxed atmosphere in the local area that will save young people from Islandmagee and Whitehead from travelling up to Carrickfergus to search for jobs.

“I have also seen the pressure that so many of the young people are under and having a place where they can open up to talk about these things can only be a good thing.”

Plans are currently progressing to open the room Mondays and Wednesdays from 2pm to 5pm, starting from September.

Meanwhile, the Genesis Drop in Centre has now reopened with a new coordinator.

The centre is open from Monday to Friday, including Monday and Wednesday 3pm-5.30pm, while the other days are 3pm-5.30pm then 7pm to 10pm.