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St.Mary's GAC, Rasharkin and our Healthy Club campaign is delighted to be the first GAA unit in Ulster to work with Tony Griffin and Karl Swan, the two visionaries who have established SOAR; an independent national youth outreach movement.  In the incoming week, the club is hosting a number of workshops aimed at children and young people aged 10 to 16 as well as parents, coaches and anyone else in our community interested in promoting a positive environment where young people flourish and achieve their full potential.

Soar works inside and outside the education system with young people delivering workshops that focus on developing confidence, self-esteem and resiliency so that our young people, the next generation, can have the opportunity to dare to dream and fulfil their potential.  Soar workshops aim to create a safe space where young people feel supported to take positive risks and express themselves honestly. They are aimed at age groups where children and young people are undergoing periods of significant change and subsequent stress.

Club spokesman and Alcohol and Substance Abuse Officer, Terry Hasson added: "Growing up in the fast moving, media driven world of today, with all its cyber influences it takes courage, belief and resilience to follow your convictions. Making the right choices, maybe having to go against the grain, is not easy, the SOAR model lets us see, it is possible, we are not alone and we can indeed reach for the stars. We are extremely grateful to the Public Health Agency and North Antrim Community Network for providing the support to make this happen.’

The first workshop will be on Tuesday 21st Jan 7.30pm - 9.00pm at St.Olcan's Parish Centre for all parents, coaches, club members and interested parties.  This critical discussion will help our community develop structures and mechanisms to ensure that our young people receive support at home, in school and in other community based activities.

The second workshop will be on Wednesday 22nd Jan 4.30pm - 6.00pm again at St.Olcan's Parish Centre; this will be for all U14 & U16 age groups in the club.

The final workshop will be on Thursday 23rd Jan 10.00am to 12.00pm at St.Patrick's PS in conjunction with Rasharkin Primary school for Primary 7 and some Primary 6 pupils.

There is currently an effort being made to facilitate the Soar Program in some of our local Secondary and Grammar schools, times, dates and venues will be confirmed.

We encourage everyone in our community to attend the appropriate events.  This is an exciting initiative by our Healthy Club campaign and can only benefit children, young people, their families and the entire community.  The emotional health of our community is something we should all have an interest in and is something we can all have a positive impact on.  If we work together we can make our community a massively positive example for the rest of the country.

For more information contact Terry Hasson terry@hassons.comor 07749 690537