Your future starts right here as South West College launches next phase of Youthscape Plus across Tyrone and Fermanagh.
South West College is preparing to welcome a new cohort of young people to the Youthscape Plus programme this September, with delivery taking place across Cookstown, Dungannon, Enniskillen and Omagh – and, for the first time, in Strabane.
Cohort 6 of Youthscape Plus, supported by PEACEPLUS funding of €7.2 million euro will begin later this month providing tailored support to young people aged between 14 and 24 who are not currently engaged in full-time education, training or employment, as well as those who may be at risk of disengaging from formal education.
The latest cohort marks an important expansion for the programme, with Youthscape Plus being delivered in Strabane for the first time from the South West College Hub located at the North West Regional College campus.
At its heart, Youthscape Plus is a Good Relations programme, bringing together young people from different communities and backgrounds across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. Through shared learning, activities and cross-border experiences, participants are encouraged to develop new relationships, increase their understanding of diversity and build greater confidence in engaging with people from different traditions, cultures and communities.
The programme provides a supportive and welcoming environment where young people can develop their confidence, form new friendships, access mentoring and explore opportunities for their future.
Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, Youthscape Plus works with each young person to identify their individual needs, interests and ambitions. Participants are supported to develop their personal and employability skills while identifying positive progression pathways into further education, training or employment.
Since its launch in 2024, more than 700 young people have engaged with Youthscape Plus, demonstrating the important role the programme is playing in supporting young people and strengthening relationships across communities.
Youthscape Plus is a cross-border initiative delivered by South West College in collaboration with Donegal Youth Service and Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board. The partnership provides opportunities for young people from both sides of the border to meet, learn together, challenge perceptions and develop positive relationships through shared experiences.
Speaking ahead of the launch of Cohort 6, Youthscape Plus Programme Development and Delivery Manager at South West College, Donal Monaghan, said:
“Youthscape Plus is about meeting young people where they are. We recognise that everyone’s circumstances are different and that, for some young people, the traditional education or training environment may not provide all the support they need at that point in their lives. We are particularly pleased that Cohort 6 will see Youthscape Plus expand into Strabane for the first time. The new delivery location at the South West College Hub on the North West Regional College campus will enable us to extend this support to more young people and families in the Strabane area.
“With more than 700 young people having already engaged with Youthscape Plus since 2024, we have seen first-hand the difference that providing the right support, environment and encouragement can make. We look forward to welcoming our newest participants this September.”
Cohort 6 will be delivered through South West College in Cookstown, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Omagh and Strabane, with participants receiving tailored support throughout their Youthscape Plus journey.
Alongside personal development, mentoring and employability support, participants have opportunities to engage in Good Relations activities and cross-border experiences, meeting other young people from different communities and backgrounds and developing their understanding of diversity, citizenship and positive community relations.
Young people, parents, guardians, schools, community organisations and referral agencies interested in finding out more about Youthscape Plus and the opportunities available through Cohort 6 are encouraged to contact the programme team.
Further information about the Youthscape Plus programme is available at www.swc.ac.uk/youthscapeplus or contact Donal Monaghan by emailing donal.monaghan@swc.ac.uk
The Youthscape Plus partnership has secured €7.2 million in funding through PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).