We were absolutely delighted that our chief patron HRH The Duchess of Gloucester recently paid a visit to Finnebrogue House, Co. Down the home of our chairman Noel Lamb. Mr Lamb introduced the Duchess to two of our trustees, Dr Miriam McCarthy and Mrs Fiona Plunket and to members from two projects recently awarded grants, the Creative Arts and Social Team based in Castlederg and the Rathcoole based community group Listening Ear. Mrs Rois Kelly-Lynch from C.A.S.T. explained how the grant was used for their Caring for Young Minds project which culminated in the production of a music video 'Mind your words, they can hurt' which two of the students then performed for the Duchess.

Mr Brian Kerr from Listening Ear told the Duchess how the group provides a programme called Empathic Listening aimed at encouraging non-judgemental communication and better listening skills among young people and that it is this element of their work that Hope for Youth has funded.

Before departing the Duchess planted a tree at the front of Finnebrogue House as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of H.M. the Queen's accession to the throne.