Tuam YouthBank Receives Citizenship Award!

Having provided grants worth up to €8,030 to nine groups in the Tuam area during their first two funding rounds, Tuam YouthBank was presented with a Young Citizen Award from the Mayor of County Galway, Councillor Peter Feeney.  Galway County Council set up the awards to recognise the voluntary work of young people in Galway and this year’s winners were presented with their certificates at a ceremony in the Claregalway Hotel.
“We decided to enter the awards as Tuam YouthBank has done work in the local area and helped fund groups who are benefiting the community.” explained Jaime Hare, a grant-maker from Tuam YouthBank.
A Youth Café, Karate Club, Youth Club and a Secondary School Magazine are among the groups which received grants from Tuam YouthBank. With Tuam’s third round of funding getting underway, more groups like these will be able to provide support to the local community.
On receiving the award Jaime said, “It was a shock for all members of the group when we won the award and we are now really looking forward to meeting a new range of applicants who can be considered for grants.”
For its third round of grant-making, Tuam YouthBank has developed three themes which they are focusing on when deciding where the grant money should go. These themes are: keeping young people away from drugs and alcohol, providing safe environments and music/dance application.
“We are starting to send out application forms to organisations including schools and sports clubs, making them aware of YouthBank and how it can benefit them. We have a points system which helps us decide which applicants should receive grants and with three themes to follow we hope to improve funding in these areas.”