Playtrail Youth Forum:
Our strapline:
'Engage, listen & Influence'
Our Purpose:
We are a group of young people with disabilities who are working together to make a positive change by including everyone, encouraging others to get involved, speak up, undertake new challenges, have fun and learn new things.
We hope to empower other young people to utilise their voice whilst influencing and engaging with decision makers in order to promote inclusion for all and have the voices of young people with disabilities heard.
Some of the wonderful work carried out by Playtrail Youth Forum:
The Adventures of Ben, A Story of Inclusion & Friendship:
Playtrail Youth Forum launched a Children's book with the aim to help children understand and accept differences and disability. To encourage people to be kind and break down barriers for children and young people with disabilities and help promote inclusion and friendship for all. The Childrens book was written and illustrated by Playtrail Youth Forum members.
About the book:
Join Sam, Beth, Zoe, Ben and Slinky on their adventure to the play park. They learn and discover the true meaning of friendship, as they realise that it doesn't matter if someone is seen as 'different'. This children's book aims to break down stigmas and represent inclusivity. The hope is to inspire kids to treat everyone equally.
Disability Awareness Poster Campaign:
As part of Learning disability week 2023, Playtrail Youth Forum launched their Region-Wide Disability Awareness Poster Campaign at the Guildhall, Derry. The theme for learning disability week 2023 is 'Busting myths about living with a disability', and Playtrail Youth Forum members created 5 bespokes posters that busts myths and raise's awarness of "Seeing the person first and not their disability". These Poster packs were free for all schools, youth clubs, shopping centres, theatres and public building to request a pack and included 5 posters covering the topics of: Physical Disability, Autism, Sensory Disability, Down Syndrome & Hidden Disability. In total over 1000 posters are displayed across Northern Ireland. (Sample of posters below, however please email gavin@playtrail.com for a free poster pack)
Inclusion Fest 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUSyqgxeSG4&t=26s
Inclusion Fest is a one day festival promoting all things inclusion, this will consist of 2 stages allowing local and upcoming bands, performers and singers the chance to showcase their talents. In addition to this, we will be providing a variety of workshops/ pop up performance which will consist of drumming, Dj-ing, comedy and dance.
The HUB Mural Project:
Playtrail Youth Forum members consulted with all young people who attend Liberty Consortium's project and asked them to draw, design or help create a new mural at the entrance of The HUB which highlights and showcases the wonderful work we do. This project was in partnership with U.V Arts and adds a bright and welcoming vibe to the HUB entrance. It shows all visitors, young people and their families the great activities and opportunities young people have at Liberty Consortium programmes.
Playtrail Youth Forum - 'Spooky Fest':
'Spooky Fest' was a 1 day event designed, managed and delivered by Playtrail Youth Forum members. This event ran during Covid-19 restrictions which meant our youth forum members wanted to help all Liberty Consortium young people engage in halloween activities and help them get into the halloween spirit. This 1 day event consisted of 3 halloween themed workshops which provided young people with disabilities the opportunity to engage in activities such as halloween trick & treats, baking, haunted games, arts & crafts and halloween themed dance performances.
Playtrail Youth Forum members:
Conor O'Donnell
Sarah McCrystal
Jamie Seaton
Aoife Burke
Isobel Sharkey
Owen Kelly
Susannah McClay
Anthony McNamee
Oran Doherty
