Fingal Comhairle na nÓg

• Coordinator name: Aoife Genocchi
• Contact email: aoife.genocchi@foroige.ie
• Address:
  Council contact: Deirdre Gaughran
  A/Senior Community Officer
  Strategic Imperatives Unit.
  Community Culture and Sports Division.
  Grove Road,
  Blanchardstown,
  Dublin. 15
• Tel:    Aoife: 086 6008574
• National Executive representative: Sophie Leahy
• Facebook: Fingal Comhairle na nÓg
• Twitter:     @FingalComhairle
• Instagram:   FingalCNN

About us

Current topics 

Fingal Comhairle na nÓg are working on the following topics in 2021:

• Climate change and peer pressure 2020
• Mental Health and COVID-19 Resilience

Comhairle members share what they’ve been up to during lockdown 

2020

Fingal Comhairle na nÓg were working on Climate Change in 2020.

2019

Great news for Fingal Comhairle na nÓg. Their project & short film ‘Perfect Imperfections’ was shortlisted as a finalist in the 2019 All Ireland Community & Council Awards in the Best Community-Based Initiative category.

They focused on two key topics in 2019: Healthy Lifestyles and Peer Pressure. They held a stand at Foroige’s Fitfest in March 2019 where they had several activities and a survey for young people to gather information for their topic.

2018

Fingal Comhairle’s main project for 2018 is a campaign called ‘Perfect Imperfections’. The campaign was designed and developed by Comhairle members to create awareness of Male Body Image & Mental Health. It was officially launched last night by the Mayor of Fingal on 9th October.  They chose to develop this project  as they felt that men’s body image issues are often neglected in comparison to those of women.

How we did it: 

• We had a research and development session with Bodywhys Ireland and learned all about body image issues, eating disorders and the impact that this can have on our mental health. This was very beneficial to our project development giving us an insight and further information on our chosen topic.
• We examined reports from Jigsaw, Bodywhys and Dail na nÓg for statistical information as well as online references to poor male body image.
• We worked with a film maker and director to write a script and to develop a shooting schedule for out short film.
• We held planning sessions to set the running order of our film shoot, to choose locations, develop call sheets and delegate roles.
• The short film ‘Perfect Imperfections’ will be launched at an event by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Anthony Lavin on 9th October 2018.
  The film begins with the FCNN asking the public what their views are on male body image and mental health. It goes on to hear young people making statements on the research that they have carried out on the issue and what they have found. The film follows on with some poignant declarations on the impact of negative male body image and then finishes with young people accepting their perfect imperfections with positive affirmations and support for men on the issue.

Previous topics: 

Fingal Comhairle focussed on the primary topic of mental health in 2017, with a particular focus on how financial issues have an impact on our health and wellbeing.  We liaised with all relevant organisations in our locality, for example Jigsaw, to progress our work.

Video below was made by Fingal Comhairle member Grace Boyle for our AGM 2017.

Fingal Comhairle were focused on two main projects: bringing basic First Aid Training to students in schools across Fingal; and an LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) awareness campaign. We  engaged with schools and First Aid trainers to develop a pilot Basic First Aid program, which we hope will be rolled out in schools across Fingal.

For the LGBT awareness campaign, they designed rainbow-coloured wristbands with the slogan ‘LGBT, let me be me!’ which were distributed to schools throughout Fingal. The purpose of the project was to remove stigmas and stereotypes and to help LGBT youth feel safer and happier in the community.

Fingal Comhairle were also involved in the nationwide Let’s Go Mental campaign in 2015 to promote positive mental health in young people.

Fingal hosted their #LetsGoMental2015 event in October 2015. To read more click here: 

Fingal Comhairle na nÓg worked on Bullying as our primary topic for 2014-15. We researched all information and supports available, and created an infographic which is available on our website.

Our secondary topic was Transport – we have made representations to former Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar, C.I.E. and Fingal Integrated Transport Forum on the issues identified as being of concern to young people, such as cost and disability access. Since then, the number of bus fleets with wheelchair access in Fingal has increased, and a LEAP card for 16-18 year olds has been launched.
We also examined the issue of underage drinking in Fingal, and explored the effects on young people. We met with Community Gardaí in Fingal to discuss, and are working with Debs Ireland to include harm-reduction advice on Debs tickets.

Fingal Comhairle na nÓg worked on a number of topics in 2012-13, including Transport, Bullying and Youth Mental Health. In relation to transport, we identified a lack of wheelchair accessible buses in Fingal as a key issue. We made representations outlining our concerns to key decision makers in this area including Director of Operations Fingal County Council, Chairperson of Fingal Integrated Transport forum and Dublin Bus. 

Another achievement of the past few years was our ‘Free Spirit Festival’ – a mental health and well-being event which promoted positive mental and physical well-being and identified gaps in service provision for young people.

Photo Gallery