South West College has announced the first recipients of a bursary set up in memory of Jackie McDowell, a former manager on the Youthscape Programme and Head of Social Inclusion at the college. A total of six awards were presented to students who completed the Youthscape Plus Programme in 2024 & 2025, with Oran Quinn from Omagh being awarded the Outstanding Achievement Trophy for the distance he travelled during his time at the college.
Youthscape Plus is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
The awards are open to all students who complete the Youthscape Plus programme at one of the South West College campuses in Enniskillen, Omagh, Dungannon and Cookstown or at one of our partner institutions, Donegal Youth Services in Letterkenny & Ballybofey or MSLETB in Sligo and Leitrim. The Youthscape Plus programme provides support and a pathway back to education, or employment for those aged between 14 and 24 who may not be attending school or college on a full-time basis, or who aren’t in full-time employment.
Participants also complete a Level 1 OCN qualification in Interpersonal Skills, Diversity and Career Preparation & Employability with the awards designed to support them to progress to the next step of their education or career journey.
Applications for the bursary were adjudicated by members of Jackie McDowell’s family, including her husband Brian, who presented Oran with his prize on a visit to the Omagh Campus. Brian spoke about how much it meant to his family to have the award made in Jackie’s memory and how it continues to shine a spotlight on her legacy at the college.
Celine McCartan, Principal and Chief Executive of South West College congratulated the six award recipients, saying:
‘I am very proud of the fantastic achievements of these young people, and their success is a testament to the hard work and engagement from their tutors and support officers. I know that they will continue to be strong ambassadors for the Youthscape Plus programme and I am delighted that Jackie’s spirit continues to live within the college through these awards.’
17 year-old Oran Quinn is continuing his studies in Essential Skills Literacy, Numeracy and ICT at SWC and is considering his future career opportunities. Reflecting on his time with the Youthscape Plus Programme, Oran said:
‘I believe Youthscape Plus has helped to increase my self confidence and self-esteem, I have become a little less shy and less afraid of speaking up for myself. The programme added structure and routines to my days and week, I worry less about what others think me and it has helped me to become more tolerant of others.’
Bursary awards were also presented by Youthscape Plus Programme Development and Delivery Manager, Donal Monaghan to Letterkenny student, Orla Kearney, Tee-Jay Smith, Wandile ‘Enock’ Dhlodhlo, and Jack McCaffrey who are continuing with their studies at South West College in Enniskillen, and Leticia Soares Da Silva who has progressed into a Further Education Engineering Programme at the college’s Dungannon Campus.
Adding his words of congratulations to each of six prize winners, Donal said:
‘It has been a privilege to present these young people with their awards which will provide invaluable support with their pathways back into education and employment. They have demonstrated the college values in their approach to the programme and their award applications and I know that their success will inspire other students to complete the Youthscape Plus Programme over the coming years.’
Registrations are now open for the next Youthscape Plus cohort which will begin later this Spring at all SWC campuses. The next round of bursary awards will be announced in April.
If you know a young person aged between 14 & 24 who might be interested in joining the Youthscape Plus Programme or should you require any further information please visit https://swc.ac.uk/courses/social-inclusion/youthscape_plus or contact Donal Monaghan, Programme Development and Delivery Manager, by emailing donal.monaghan@swc.ac.uk.