Lios Dubh Youth Club

Clúid’s vision is a society where everyone has a great place to live. We aim to achieve this vision by providing quality housing and services that enable people to build homes and thriving communities.

Residents at Lios Dubh, a Clúid scheme in Dundalk, Louth have fostered a strong community spirit among the younger residents by forming a new Youth Club for the area.
Lios Dubh Youth Club began just before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The club was formed with the help of Youth Work Ireland. From humble beginnings, the club started life with 5 young residents. From the get-go, there was limited funding and no venue so the group held their first meetings in Lios Dubh’s communal green area.

Laura Killalea, Resident Engagement Co-ordinator at Clúid, worked with the Youth Club members and the local community to help source a venue. One of the residents from Coulter Place, a neighbouring Clúid scheme, had a suitable space available in the creche.

Laura tells us “I reached out to Tuath Housing, they had recently provided 24 homes for a number of new residents right beside Lios Dubh. They were keen to get involved and several of their residents came joined the club.

“The Youth club expanded to cover Lios Dubh, Coulter Place and Lismullen. The club has become so popular that we now have a waiting list of people who wish to join.

“With the assistance of Youth Work Ireland and the support of Tuath Housing, I applied to the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) for €26,000 in funding through the Social Investment Fund. This grant supports an activity programme delivered by Youth Work Ireland and benefits all 3 schemes. This programme will help the residents to integrate, enhancing and strengthening the community bonds. Activities include biodiversity projects, involvement in Gaisce awards, and day trips for Youth Club members.

“We were delighted to be awarded the full amount and are looking forward to working with Tuath and Youth Work Ireland to deliver a pack programme for 2022.”