New opening hours for Youth Information Centre

New opening hours have been introduced at the Blanchardstown Youth Information Centre (YIC) in a bid to make the centre more user-friendly to younger people.

The new hours will see the centre opening until 8pm from Monday to Wednesday which will make it more accessible, particularly to those still at school. The closing time will remain at 6pm on Thursdays and Fridays and the opening times will be 12 noon each day.

“We feel sure that the new opening hours will be popular with the young people in the area,” says Blanchardstown Youth Services’ Information Officer Caitriona Freir. “The services are primarily aimed at 15 to 25 years old, although we are not stringent in our application of the age limits. A lot of them have remarked that it would be more beneficial to stay open an hour or two in the evenings and so we have altered our opening hours to facilitate this.”

Opened in 1990, the YIC has been instrumental in informing generations of young people about many aspects of their transition into adulthood. It offers free internet access which is a major tool in searching for courses and employment. The staff will help a young person prepare their first CV when applying for a job and the centre also offers a complete student travel card service, whereby staff can take the photographs and facilitate card purchase.

The YIC also provides a free, confidential information service to young people and adults on a wide range of topics. “Information on education courses, student grants, employment rights and local information is readily available to callers at the centre and you can also pick up passport and driving license forms,” says Caitriona.

“And of course, this is the time of year that students are thinking about going to college and how they are going to manage financially. The Youth Information Centre has information on what grants are available, where to apply and how to prepare for third level.”

The centre is often the first point of contact for a young person seeking information on any subject of interest or concern. The information is provided in specially designed premises where the atmosphere is warm and informal.

Trained and friendly staff are always available to help find or interpret the information required. These staff work in close co-operation with other relevant voluntary and statutory agencies and will refer young people to them when further information or specialist help is required.

Community Voice, Media House, Church Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
Phone +353 1 822 1432 -  Fax +353 1 640 4444
info@communityvoice.ie

All content and images are © Perceptions[Publicity and Event Management] Limited. All rights reserved
Site developed by Vincent Cahill