Three former participants of the Youthscape Plus programme have been recognised for their outstanding personal achievements and progression with the award of the prestigious Jackie McDowell Distance Travelled Bursaries.
Three former participants of the Youthscape Plus programme have been recognised for their outstanding personal achievements and progression with the award of the prestigious Jackie McDowell Distance Travelled Bursaries.
The bursaries have been awarded to Iseoluwa Alabai from Dungannon, Jessica Hemphill from Omagh, and Riaghan Doherty McHugh from Letterkenny, all of whom successfully completed the Youthscape Plus programme in October 2025.
Since completing the programme, the three young people have each progressed positively into further education and full-time employment, demonstrating the significant impact of the support and opportunities provided through Youthscape Plus.
The bursaries recognise not only the progress made by the awardees during their time on the programme, but also their future ambitions, determination and potential to inspire others.
Donal Monaghan, Programme Development and Delivery Manager for Youthscape Plus, said:
“We are incredibly proud of Ise, Jessica and Riaghan and all they have achieved through their participation in Youthscape Plus. The Jackie McDowell Distance Travelled Bursaries recognise the tremendous progress each young person has made, their commitment to building positive futures and the aspirations they have for the next stage of their journeys.
“These awards were decided upon based on the achievements of the participants during the programme and the ambition they have shown for their futures. We have no doubt they will continue to succeed and become fantastic advocates for the Youthscape Plus programme moving forward.”
The awards were presented at a Celebration of Success event held at the Manor House hotel in Enniskillen at which the Youthscape Plus team paid tribute to Jackie McDowell, a former social inclusion manager at South West College and the driving force behind the original Youthscape programme whose memory and legacy the awards were set up to recognise. Jackie’s husband Brian McDowell who passed away just weeks before the presentation was also remembered for his contribution to the set up of the award scheme.
Youthscape Plus is funded through the PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The programme supports young people across the region to build confidence, develop skills and progress towards education, training and employment opportunities. The programme is accessible to young people aged 14 – 24 who aren’t in full time education, training or employment. For further information about joining the programme please visit www.swc.ac.uk/youthscapeplus
The Youthscape Plus partnership is delivered collaboratively by South West College, Donegal Youth Services, Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB, Cedar Foundation and Tides Training.