I’ve gained confidence, leadership, digital and organisational skills beyond anything I would’ve believed for myself and I’ve met some amazing, inspiring people along with some of my closest friends!

Amy O’Brien

I always cared. From caring about other people as a small child, then reading about the history of slavery, books about feminism and caring about human rights when I was in primary school. Then, in second year I joined Cork County Comhairle na nOg and learned with time that other young people, other people who also didn’t have a job, a vote or any power in the traditional sense, also cared. We cared more than the students at school or people around me, we wanted change and to be loud together!

From there, I joined the NYCI future generations project and representing the YMCA with 5 other young people…I learned about climate justice. We explored the topic through conversations, questions and finding nuance and connection to other issues. We learned as a collective and that became the starting point for the Sustainable Sleepover Club which is a podcast I host with these same 5 people! We chat about the Sustainable Development Goals in that’s educational but accessible for young people. I’ve interviewed amazing guests and run our social media too!

I’m also now active in Fridays for future in Ireland and Internationally as a newsletter editor, part of the Clean Up Standard Chartered Bank Campaign and more. I’m an activist with Youth Against Racism and Inequalities or YARI, a writer with the youth information website, Spunout, I’m on the Youth Advisory Panel for the Children’s Ombudsman and I’m in my second year of Comhairle but now as a Chairperson!

Along with creating change and a better future for everyone, as an individual I’ve learned so much about a multitude of topics that have become a lense to view the world everyday, I’ve gained confidence, leadership, digital and organisational skills beyond anything I would’ve believed for myself and I’ve met some amazing, inspiring people along with some of my closest friends! This was an attempt but I cannot describe in words what youth work has meant to me. Young people believe they are voiceless but now I know that we all have a voice, we just need to be actually be listened to!