His Honour Hubert Dunn QC

It is with much regret that the trustees record the death of our President, Hubert Dunn QC, on Thursday 27th February.

Hubert was an inspiration to many who grew up with Women Caring Trust and, as it became, Hope for Youth (NI). He had a long and varied career, but always regarded Northern Ireland as his spiritual home, particularly Tudor Hall in Holywood.

He took a leading role in our charity for many of its early years. He felt that helping young people build bridges was a way of seeing a brighter future. He excelled at getting younger supporters involved in the charity and was very proud when his daughter Eugenia became a trustee and chair of the Swim.

In latter years he retained his close interest and served as our President . Hubert was schooled at Winchester and New College, Oxford, served in the Life Guards and was called to the bar.  He took silk in 1982 and became a circuit judge in 1993.   He will be much missed by his family and all those in the charity who were proud to call him their friend.

Speedo House of Lords v House of Commons Charity Swim & Black Tie Dinner

Supported by Speedo, celebrities, world-class swimmers, representatives from the House of Lords and up-and-coming youth swimming champions made a splash at London’s Porchester Hall last month, cheered on by over 350 guests, to raise critical funds for Northern Ireland charity Hope for Youth.

Following head-to-head competitive swimming in the Hall’s 1920s-era swimming pool, the relay team consisting of Jonathan Higham, two-time British Masters record holder & Speedo ambassador; Jazz Carlin, 2016 Olympic medallist & Speedo ambassador, Edward Whittles and Aryaan Din, Chelsea & Westminster Swim Club and led by Lord Paddick hoisted the Speedo Cup and Visitors' Cup and secured bragging rights until the next biennial charity swim.  Also honoured on the night was outstanding swimmer Zoe Musial of Chelsea & Westminster Swim Club who took home the Wilkinson Sword for her stand-out performance in the pool.

To celebrate the friendly rivalry in the pool, guests later attended a gala dinner and charity auction to continue to raise valuable funds for Hope For Youth.  Speaking about the success of the evening, Eugenia Dunn, Swim Chair, said, “Hope For Youth hosts a series of fundraising events each year to generate vital funds to support cross-community youth-focused initiatives in Northern Ireland. Following the closure of our 2020 grant application programme, we have celebrated a significant milestone of having supported over 450 youth-oriented projects in Northern Ireland during the charity’s 47-year history. We are delighted to announce that between our luncheon hosted at the Culloden Estate & Spa in April and this year’s Charity Swim in London, Hope For Youth has raised over £100,000 to benefit young people.”

Celebrating its 29th year, this year’s Swim welcomed well-known faces including Olympic medallists Duncan Goodhew MBE and Kerri-Anne Payne, the Earl and Countess of Erne, Lord Stoneham, Lord St John of Bletso, The Voice of The X Factor & Swim compere, Peter Dickson, and editor of the Belfast Times blog Jeff Meredith among esteemed guests.

Hope For Youth NI celebrates support of over 450 cross-community organisations by announcing swim event

Following the closure of their 2020 grant application programme, cross-community charity Hope for Youth NI is celebrating a significant milestone, having supported over 450 youth-oriented projects in Northern Ireland during its 47-year history. The charity, formerly known as the Women Caring Trust, was founded in 1972 and provides valuable funding to a range of projects which are geared toward young people with the hope of inspiring skills development, relationship building and creativity in a safe environment.

Each year, the charity encourages youth-orientated organisations to apply for much-needed funding to help support their initiatives which span across the fields of music, art, drama and the great outdoors. Recipients of the 2019 grant scheme include Northern Ireland organisations Creative Arts and Social Team (CAST), Fusion Theatre, Rhythm Youth Club, Kinship Care and Dreamscheme NI.

Hope For Youth NI hosts a series of fundraising events each year to help generate vital funds for such initiatives, and every two years these efforts culminate in the biennial Charity Swim and Gala Dinner, sponsored by Speedo. Set to take place this year on Thursday 21st November in London’s Porchester Hall, the event will include swimming representatives from the world of politics going head-to-head alongside well-known competitive swimmers including 2016 Olympic medallist and Speedo ambassador Jazz Carlin and Jonathan Higham, two-time British Masters record holder and Brand Manager at Speedo,  in a friendly rivalry to raise awareness and funds for Hope for Youth’s good work.  

Reflecting on the charity’s work over the years, Hope for Youth NI Chairman Noel Lamb said, “It’s a real pleasure to be a part of Hope For Youth and to support projects which have helped foster community development across Northern Ireland. It’s so rewarding to see how we, as a whole community, are embracing diversity, whether it be differing ethnicities or religious backgrounds. Building inter-community relationships is a contributor in building a positive and peaceful future for Northern Ireland. We are incredibly grateful to Speedo for its continued support of our charity Swim and look forward to welcoming both participants and guests for what will be an excellent event in raising funds for Hope for Youth in November.”

Now in its 29th year, the Swim has seen a variety of famous participants including Team captain The Lord St John of Bletso, Chris Bryant MP, charity supporters Joanna Lumley OBE, Duncan Goodhew MBE, and Speedo world-class UK swimmers James Hickman, Kerri-Anne Payne and Michael Jamieson, among many others.  

The Swim also marks a successful partnership with long-standing sponsor Speedo. Rob Hicking, Brand Director for Speedo at Pentland Brands, said, “The Hope For Youth Charity Swim is an incredibly important event that not only raises crucial funds for Hope For Youth but also gives swimming a platform and highlights its benefits for staying fit and active. It’s a great event that encourages swimmers of all strengths to engage and have fun, while bringing out a competitive edge in those who are up for the challenge.”

Speedo is passionate about inspiring people to learn how to swim. In 2017 Speedo launched Swim Generation, a global initiative that aims to teach children basic swimming, swim survival, water safety and safe rescue skills to help build a lifelong passion about swimming as a life skill.

By supporting life-saving projects around the globe, Swim Generation aims to help contribute to the reduction of accidental drowning worldwide, striving towards a world where everyone everywhere has the right to be able to swim. To date, Swim Generation has enabled partner organisations to already reach over 600,000 people.

Fusion Theatre benefits from Hope For Youth grant for ‘Fantasmagorical’ rendition of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Following the recent closure of their 2020 grant application programme, cross-community charity Hope for Youth NI is celebrating a significant milestone, having supported over 450 youth-oriented projects in Northern Ireland during its 47-year history. The charity, formerly known as the Women Caring Trust, was founded in 1972 and provides valuable funding to a range of projects which are geared toward young people with the hope of inspiring skills development, relationship building and creativity in a safe environment.

Each year, the charity encourages local youth-orientated organisations to apply for much-needed funding to help support their initiatives which span across the fields of music, art, drama and the great outdoors and this year Lisburn’s award-winning Fusion Theatre, a registered charity set up to unite children and young people from across the religious divide in Northern Ireland with the aim of giving them a positive common goal of producing spectacular theatre performances, was among the recipients of these grants.

The grant received from Hope For Youth enabled the team at Fusion Theatre to put on their most spectacular show to date, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which featured a cast and crew of over 60 local young people. With a full-scale production running from 4th – 7th September to a combined audience of over 1600 theatre-goers at the Island Hall, Lagan Valley Island. The team were also enabled through this grant to include professionals in the production like Director James Huish, Musical Director Matthew Milford, members of the orchestra and a deaf signer who interpreted the show for members of the deaf community during the Friday evening performance, increasing accessibility to all audience members and also stepping up the production value of this memorable performance.

Commenting on the impact of the funds for Fusion Theatre, Patricia Glover, Chairperson, said, “Fusion Theatre are delighted to have received funding to support our production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Without the support from Hope for Youth we would have been unable to provide our young cast with the opportunity to perform in such a well-known, spectacular show.”

To generate the funds dispersed annually by Hope For Youth, the charity hosts a series of fundraising events each year. These efforts culminate in the biennial House of Lords v House of Commons Speedo Charity Swim and Gala Dinner, sponsored by Speedo, which is set to take place this year on Thursday 21st November in London’s Porchester Hall. The event will include swimming representatives from the Houses of Lords and Commons going head-to-head alongside well-known competitive swimmers from the Speedo brand team in a friendly rivalry to raise awareness and funds for Hope for Youth’s good work. 

Reflecting on the charity’s work over the years, Hope for Youth NI Chairman Noel Lamb said, “It’s a real pleasure to be a part of Hope For Youth and to support projects which have helped foster community development across Northern Ireland.

“It’s so rewarding to see how we, as a whole community, are embracing diversity, whether it be differing ethnicities or religious backgrounds. Building inter-community relationships is a contributor in building a positive and peaceful future for Northern Ireland. We are incredibly grateful to Speedo for its continued support of our charity Swim and look forward to welcoming both participants and guests for what will be an excellent event in raising funds for Hope for Youth in November.”

Castlederg’s Creative Arts and Social Team (CAST) benefits from Hope For Youth grant to produce empowering music video for young people

Following the recent closure of their 2020 grant application programme, cross-community charity Hope for Youth NI is celebrating a significant milestone, having supported over 450 youth-oriented projects in Northern Ireland during its 47-year history. The charity, formerly known as the Women Caring Trust, was founded in 1972 and provides valuable funding to a range of projects which are geared toward young people with the hope of inspiring skills development, relationship building and creativity in a safe environment.

Each year, the charity encourages local youth-orientated organisations to apply for much-needed funding to help support their initiatives which span across the fields of music, art, drama and the great outdoors. This year, Castlederg-based Creative Arts and Social Team C.I.C (CAST), which caters for individuals aged from 4 years upwards and strives to nurture each individual, encouraging them to build their self-esteem through the medium of drama, music and performance and making arts accessible to all, has been named as a recipient of much-needed funds from the group, having been acknowledged for their is all-inclusive approach and work done to provide a platform for individuals to build confidence, feel valued, improve their health and well-being, develop new friendships and move forward in a new and positive direction.

In addition to a ‘positive mindset workshop’ hosted in June with West End star Sophie Issacs which tackled issues pertaining to challenges faced by teenagers, the group of over 40 teenagers has also written, produced and recorded a song and music video which aims to shine a light on teenage mental health and insecurities faced by many teens across Northern Ireland and further afield. The music video, produced using funds from Hope For Youth, officially launched in line with Mental Health Awareness Week.

“Hope for Youth’s grant has given the young people in this area a voice to speak out about how it feels to be a teenager in these modern times,” said Rois Kelly-Lynch, Director CAST. Social media has had a huge impact on their lives - both positively and negatively. Writing a song and creating a music video has given them the confidence to express themselves and tackle their insecurities and issues head-on. Hope for Youth’s contribution to this project has been immeasurable.”

To generate the funds dispersed annually by Hope For Youth, the charity hosts a series of fundraising events each year. These efforts culminate in the biennial House of Lords v House of Commons Speedo Charity Swim and Gala Dinner, sponsored by Speedo, which is set to take place this year on Thursday 21st November in London’s Porchester Hall. The event will include swimming representatives from the Houses of Lords and Commons going head-to-head alongside well-known competitive swimmers from the Speedo brand team in a friendly rivalry to raise awareness and funds for Hope for Youth’s good work. 

Reflecting on the charity’s work over the years, Hope for Youth NI Chairman Noel Lamb said, “It’s a real pleasure to be a part of Hope For Youth and to support projects which have helped foster community development across Northern Ireland.

“It’s so rewarding to see how we, as a whole community, are embracing diversity, whether it be differing ethnicities or religious backgrounds. Building inter-community relationships is a contributor in building a positive and peaceful future for Northern Ireland. We are incredibly grateful to Speedo for its continued support of our charity Swim and look forward to welcoming both participants and guests for what will be an excellent event in raising funds for Hope for Youth in November.”

'Chat for Charity' with Roddy Doyle in aid of Hope for Youth

A very big thank you to all our supporters who attended the Fundraising Lunch, Chat for Charity with Roddy Doyle at The Culloden Hotel. 

 It was a wonderful opportunity to award 5 new grants for 2019 at the lunch. Grants were awarded to: The Creative Arts and Social Team, Fusion Theatre, Lisburn, Rhythm Youth Club, Kinship Care Northern Ireland and Dreamschme NI

NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN

Creating an environment where our young people can develop is at the core of our charity.  I liken it to taking baby steps; and many of these baby steps provide the confidence and self-awareness to give Northern Ireland’s children a more positive view of the world enabling them to be better citizens for tomorrow.

 In 2018 the charity was able to make awards to ten varied and interesting projects.  These ranged from educational programmes to leadership training and drama projects.  Our county assessors visit each organisation selected by the Grants Committee. They look at cross community benefits, sustainability, and achieving project goals.  The organisations all make interim and final reports to the assessors.  I have often said that it is both humbling and uplifting to see the results on the ground.

 In the west of the province one project is to establish a brass band over two years, a second is a fourteen-week programme of arts and drama resulting in production of Guys and Dolls and a third, a dance project for 40 participants.  In Derry/Londonderry there is a peace building and digital story telling project and a separate one for citizen and leadership training.  In Belfast and the east of the province there is an education programme involving art murals and a summer programme of activities aimed at decreasing the amount of underaged drinking and anti-social behaviour.  All of these have a cross community basis.

Looking ahead in the new year, the trustees will be hosting a lunch at The Culloden Hotel on 5th April with Roddy Doyle, the well-known Irish author and dramatist, in conversation with Conor Bradford.   This is an opportunity for our corporate supporters in Northern Ireland to get to know the charity.  21st November is the date for the biennial House of Lords v House of Commons Swim for which preparations are well underway.  Thanks again go to Leo Callow, Karen and all at Cherton without whose help we would never achieve so much.

NL

Finnebrogue    01.1.2018

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2019

Hope for Youth Northern Ireland holds local fundraiser at Armagh County Club

Last month Hope for Youth Northern Ireland invited supporters of the charity to the Armagh County Club to update them on the recent grants awarded and getting the charity’s name much better known in the county. 

 They all enjoyed the evening and the Chairman, Noel Lamb, gave an overview of past projects the charity had supported over the last few years and future fundraising events for the upcoming year.  Nearly £2,000 was raised during the evening and a big thank you goes to Mrs Vanne Campbell, a trustee of Hope for Youth for organising the event.

The Chairman and Trustees would like to thank the local the local businesses who helped with the refreshments for the evening;  McEnerneys and Emersons supermarkets, Anthony Jackson, McIvors Cider Company and the Armagh County Club

Fundraising at Finnebrogue House

We took advantage of fine June weather to invite 200 of our friends and supporters to Finnebrogue for a fundraising Beating Retreat.  The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Dragoon Guards and the Band of the Royal Irish Regiment played a selection of music, both military and classical pieces.  We had a wide range of guests in the audience including the Lord Lieutenants for County Down and Belfast, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Reverend Richard Clarke and his predecessor, the Right Reverend Alan Harper, members of the police and the local community.  The programme for the evening included the band playing Scipio by Handel, the Soldiers Chorus from Faust, the Army of the Nile and various cavalry marches. The Pipes and Drums played the Rowan Tree and the Green Hills of Tyrol and the Gael.

A huge thank you again to all our supporters for their most generous donations.