Kinsale Youth Support Services was formed in 2010, in response to the need to provide support and services to young people and their families in Kinsale and the surrounding areas. A voluntary led organisation comprising of representatives from the community including JLO, Garda, GP’s, teachers, counsellors, HSE, community/voluntary sector, local business people and most importantly young people from the area. It provides support to a population in excess of 10,000 households with the emphasis on the health and wellbeing of the young person and their families.

Initially, the group examined the challenges facing young people in particular drugs, alcohol and mental health. From lengthy discussion on the above topics, it was decided that the first approach would be Awareness.

Service provisions & priorities:

KYSS provid adeditional needs to young people and families through its service including low cost counselling, preventative and awareness events, Mise booklet and APP etc.

They provide supports to young people and families in need through the school and community allowing them to participate better in active learning.

Provision of supports and wider access to community services gives young people stability and the knowledge that support is available when required.

The service is provided free and is accessible to all in the community regardless of economic circumstances. This ensures that people wanting to access the service are secure in knowing that it will not be an additional economic burden on the home.

This is a whole community response to the needs of young people and their families. This network involves all the key service providers from the public, private and voluntary sectors with the focus on building a team around the child and family to meet their additional needs. It contributes to healthier lifestyles, positive mental health, positive relationships and developing self-confidence to successfully deal with challenges and transitions in young peoples lives, engage in law-abiding behaviour, achieve personal social development and know there is a positive network on hand to support them in times of need.

In terms of the area-based approach, KYSS is a collaborative network which provides integrated services to children and families in the catchment area, it is well integrated with the statutory services including Primary Care team and local GPs and it provides supports if required to the frontline. It is a holistic health and wellbeing project led by the voluntary sector supporting the most vulnerable children and families.