Over 200 pupils from 24 Cork secondary schools have recently graduated from Cork’s largest school-based youth leadership programme run by the Redemptorist Youth Ministry Team in Scala, which saw their biggest number of students graduating to date.

The Meitheal Youth Leadership Programme, now in its 26th year, is run by Scala, a Redemptorist ministry supporting young people and aims to train and empower students to identify needs in their school and to use their own initiative and talents to respond to these needs in a practical way. Scala engages with approximately 3,000 young people each year on school retreats and one-day mentor training programmes.

The Meitheal Leadership training programme takes place at the end of Transition Year (TY). When the students return to school as fifth years their main objective is to improve the quality of school life for their fellow students. Meitheal is about young people doing their best, caring for each other and the students with whom they work.

The programme instills that everyone has different talents and abilities which we can use for the benefit of others. Pa Cotter, Leadership Development Officer stated: “The Meitheal programme brings people together. Students come from a variety of schools throughout Cork and the programme gives these kids the opportunity to make friends with people from beyond their usual school circles. Everyone is on an equal footing, working together as part of a team; it breaks down any social divide and creates lifelong friendships through shared experiences.”

Well known Cork businessman, Ger O’Mahony, who is Chairman of the Scala Advisory Board said “I have seen first-hand the positive impact the programme has on the students, as my own children have participated in the programme. It gives kids a real awareness of their environment and how they can make positive changes by working together. It also gives participants greater confidence to do things perhaps out of their comfort zone, like public speaking, problem solving and working as part of a team – all skills that will be invaluable to them in their adult lives.”

Scala, located on Castle Road, Blackrock is often described as “A secret in the city”. It is situated on a beautiful two-acre site by the River Lee and Blackrock Castle and offers modern and fully equipped facilities including a conference centre to seat 160 people.

Due to increasing demand for options for young people during the summer months Scala is considering offering faith based programmes during the summer months for interested young people. For further information on Scala’s Meitheal Youth Leadership Programme, on other programmes or about renting the facilities at Scala, please visit www.scala.ie.