Youth Information Centres and Services

Youth Information Centres and Services offer free and confidential information on issues that matter to young people (up to 25 years) and those acting on their behalf.

Some of the common things young people ask about are:

• College courses, apprenticeships and other types of education
• Grants, bursaries, scholarships and financial supports for education
• Writing a CV, getting a job and starting a career
• Finding somewhere to live
• Your rights and entitlements
• Sport and leisure activities
• European opportunities to work, study and volunteer for young people
• Drug and alcohol awareness
• Health, wellbeing and healthy relationships

Youth Information Centres are open to all young people, as well as people who work with young people. They are run by Crosscare, YMCA Ireland, and Youth Work Ireland, and are funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth through local Education and Training Boards. spunout is Ireland’s youth information website created by young people, for young people.

Youth Information Services are staffed by trained Youth Information Officers who:

• Provide information in a way that is accessible, non-judgemental, and welcoming for young people
• Give time and a safe space to come and talk or get support
• Help young person to explore the situation and identify the issue with them
• Provide information and options and help the young person make sense of the information at hand and support them to take the next step
• Signpost young people to other specialised organisations when necessary
• Aim to enable young people to make their own informed choices and become independent and active citizens

Youth Information Chat is a free, non-judgemental, one-to-one, online chat and email service for young people.

Youth Information Chat is available to all young people aged 16 - 25 years old, parents, guardians, friends, family and those working with young people. Youth Information Chat is open Monday to Friday, 4pm - 8pm (excluding bank holidays). Outside of those hours, you can leave a message at any time, day or night, and Youth Information Chat Officers will reply by email during opening hours.

The service is a partnership by youth information organisations: Crosscare, spunout, YMCA, and Youth Work Ireland.

Go to www.spunout.ie/question to learn more about Youth Information Chat or to ask a question.

Spunout is Ireland’s youth information website created by young people, for young people. It provides information to more than 200,000 readers each month.

Eurodesk provides free information on opportunities-such as travelling, working, studying and volunteering in Europe for young people aged 13 - 30.

Eurodesk Ireland is part of a European network of European and national information centres for young people and those involved with them.

If you have any questions about opportunities in Europe, you can contact your local Eurodesk Centre.

Other supports and services at your local Youth Information Centre include:

• Job hunting supports: CV/ letter typing, photocopying and access to computers
• Application forms: support and assistance in accessing, downloading and completing a range of application forms, including college grants, passport, Student Leap Card, social welfare, medical card and EHIC (previously called the E111 form).
• Youth friendly resources: including information leaflets, fact sheets, videos, noticeboards, including job vacancies, internet and computer access, social media campaigns.

Outreach activities

Youth Information Centres provide an outreach service to young people through local schools and youth clubs, as well as workshops, seminars and exhibitions.

There are many ways to contact your local Youth Information Centre.

In person

You can visit a Youth Information Centre to ask about a specific query, to browse their information leaflets, or to use their computer services. Find the address of your nearest Youth Information Centre.

By phone or email

Each Youth Information Centre has its own direct phone line, website and email address. Find the contact information for your nearest Youth Information Centre.

Online

You can speak with a Youth Information Officer through the Youth Information Chat service which is open from Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm (excluding bank holidays).