Finn McLoughlin, TY Student, Comeragh College, Carrick-on-Suir was nominated for and won the 2024 Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club Young Ambassador Award last November. The project he proposed was to kickstart a pilot programme to help open up conversations about the substance abuse and addiction issues facing young people in Carrick-on-Suir using a collaborative approach.
Read on and find out more about Finn's project proposal and how this idea is becoming a reality with the support of a Community that would like to see a positive change on this vital issue.
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We have some fantastic news to share with you all…about how an idea sparked by a 16-year-old TY Student is on its way to becoming a reality with the support of a fantastic Community that would like to see a positive change🥳
"Stay Connected" - Finn's Youth Project
Finn McLoughlin, a TY student from Comeragh College who was honoured with the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club Young Ambassador Award November 2024 for his ground-breaking initiative, aimed at combating youth substance abuse in his hometown, has received fantastic Community support to move forward with his brave project.
Finn's initiative "Stay Connected," is a collaborative pilot programme designed to open dialogue and reduce the stigma surrounding addiction among young people in Carrick-on-Suir so that teens can seek the support services available if they need it.
Finn's project highlights the importance of education and awareness in addressing substance (cigarettes, alcohol and drugs) misuse and addiction, advocating for schools to play a pivotal role in empowering teens to live substance-free lives.
The Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club has been a steadfast supporter of Finn's "Stay Connected" initiative, recognising the pilot programmes' potential to enact meaningful change within the community and beyond.
Finn has also received mentoring support from Linda Fahy, Tudor Artisan Hub (where he did his TY work experience placement Winter 2024) for each phase of his ambitious project and Linda has been managing his PR/Marketing campaign!
A key component of the collaborative initiative is the involvement of Conor Harris, a 25-year-old footballer from Co. Kildare, who had a harrowing battle with addiction in his late teens. Conor made an incredible recovery and is drug-free now for over 5 years. Conor runs a programme "The Other Side of Life," and has given inspirational talks to over 50 Schools and GAA Clubs throughout Ireland, sharing his personal recovery journey to inspire, empower and educate young audiences. Conor is also Finn's cousin, and his recovery journey is truly what inspired Finn to pitch this important Youth project for Carrick-on-Suir. Finn is confident that the young people will find Conor’s approach relatable and empowering.
The collaborative programme is supported by the South East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (SERDATF) who are delighted to come on board and will provide resources and expertise, further bolstering the initiative.
Shirley O’Shea, the Young Ambassador Award Coordinator for the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club spearheaded the outreach to the local secondary schools: ERSS, Comeragh College and Scoil Mhuire along with her own School St. Declan’s Community College, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford and all are delighted to get behind Finn’s pivotal project, aiming to spark a ripple effect of positive change in students.
It's happening in April...🎊
An interactive, educational workshop empowering youth to live a happy life without substance misuse hosted by Conor Harris, supported by SERDATF and the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club will be held in the four Secondary Schools on April 7th and 8th, 2025.
An interactive, educational workshop empowering youth to live a happy life without substance misuse hosted by Conor Harris, supported by SERDATF and the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club will be held in the four Secondary Schools on April 7th and 8th, 2025.
We are also delighted to announce that we are hosting a special Community event in the Carraig Hotel on Tuesday April 8th at 7pm. This is a Free event open to all. At this event, we will hear from young Finn about his pivotal project, Conor Harris, ‘The Other Side of Life’ will give an empowering workshop sharing his personal journey supported by the SERDATF team who will be available to offer advice and support in all aspects of addiction at the local level.
The collaborative team leaders: Finn McLoughlin (Comeragh College), Shirley O’Shea and Stephanie Keating (the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club), Conor Harris (The Other Side of Life), Jim O’Dwyer (SERDATF), Linda Fahy (Tudor Artisan Hub) supported by Finn’s family have been communicating in-person and virtually over a number of weeks to work out the best collaborative approach to help make this inaugural event as valuable as possible and are excited to make it happen and accessible for all.
So please spread the word, come along and support the Team and this amazing initiative kick-started by a 16-year-old with an inspiring vision. Gain valuable insights into how we can collectively make a positive difference.
“If this collaborative pilot programme on substance abuse education and awareness can help reach even one young person in our Community, it would be so worthwhile” says Finn, encapsulating the essence of his initiative.
Together let's empower our youth and pave the way for a brighter future!
As Helen Keller, Lions Club Ambassador once said "alone we can do so little together we can do so much"
Well done to young Finn McLoughlin for his vision and a big thank you to everybody involved in making this project happen in our Community.
Further Background information for the Press about Finn's Project 'Stay Connected'
Stay Connected - A pilot programme to help tackle youth substance misuse
Finn McLoughlin, aged 16, Comeragh College, Carrick-on-Suir won the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club Youth Ambassador Award 2024. The project idea Finn proposed was to kickstart a pilot programme to help open up conversations about the substance (cigarettes, alcohol and drugs) abuse and addiction issues facing young people in Carrick-on-Suir using a collaborative approach.
"Addiction in young people is a very real problem, it consumes families, it destroys and has taken lives. There is also a lot of unnecessary shame about Addiction. As a Youth Ambassador, I would like to demonstrate that by working together we can try and change this perception and help make a difference. In order to try and reach every young person, I believe much more needs to be done through the school system to educate and enhance awareness of the dangers of drugs, to empower teens to live a life without substance abuse, to lessen the stigma around addiction so that teens can seek the support services available if they need it. My project is about helping young people realise that not only is it common and dangerous for us to become addicted, but there are so many ways to get help. The Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club is an amazing organisation serving the people in need in our Community, they are very accessible, and I think they are the perfect vehicle to drive this vital Youth Project.” says Finn.
Finn proposed that as part of this collaborative approach, a guest speaker should be included who shares personal experiences with substance abuse addiction that young people can relate to – he feels that is key.
Finn invited Conor Harris from ‘The Other Side Of Life’, who has given inspirational talks to over 50 Schools and GAA Clubs throughout Ireland. Conor is a footballer from Co. Kildare. He is 24. He had a serious drug addiction in his late teens but managed to turn his life around and is now 5 years drug-free. Conor runs inspirational and relevant one-hour collaborative workshops on Substance Abuse Education and Awareness. Conor is also Finn's cousin, and his recovery journey is truly what inspired Finn to pitch this important Youth community service project for his home town. Finn is confident that the young people in Carrick-on-Suir will find Conor’s approach very relatable.
Finn invited Conor Harris from ‘The Other Side Of Life’, who has given inspirational talks to over 50 Schools and GAA Clubs throughout Ireland. Conor is a footballer from Co. Kildare. He is 24. He had a serious drug addiction in his late teens but managed to turn his life around and is now 5 years drug-free. Conor runs inspirational and relevant one-hour collaborative workshops on Substance Abuse Education and Awareness. Conor is also Finn's cousin, and his recovery journey is truly what inspired Finn to pitch this important Youth community service project for his home town. Finn is confident that the young people in Carrick-on-Suir will find Conor’s approach very relatable.
Finn has also invited the South East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force (SERDATF) to come on board. SERDATF offer support services to young people and families affected by addiction. Finn hopes that together steps can be taken to build a pilot programme to educate and empower young people about the dangers of drugs and make the support services that are available to youth struggling with addiction more accessible.
“My hope is that this pilot programme would cause a ripple effect that could lead to positive changes not just at the local level, but effect change at the county, national and global levels also. If this Substance Abuse Education pilot programme could help reach even one person in our Community, that would be so worthwhile,” says Finn.
Finn went on to pitch his project idea at the National Young Ambassador Awards in Carlow, January 2025. Though Finn was not placed at the National Awards, the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club is committed to supporting this vital Youth Service project idea in any way possible.
With the support of Shirley O'Shea, Youth Ambassador Coordinator with the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club, ‘Substance Abuse Awareness & Education’ Workshop Events - hosted by Conor Harris – 'The Other Side of Life' supported by SERDATF and the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club have now been booked into the 3 Secondary Schools in Carrick-on-Suir and in St. Declan's School, Kilmacthomas (where Shirley teaches) and also a Community event open to the Public will be held in the Carraig Hotel. At each event, Finn will introduce his Youth project and the guest speakers with the support of the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club.
'Stay Connected' The Substance Abuse Education and Awareness Workshop Events Schedule is as follows
Monday 7th April:
Morning: ERSS Edmund Rice Secondary School, Carrick-on-Suir
Afternoon: Comeragh College, Carrick-on-Suir
Monday 7th April:
Morning: ERSS Edmund Rice Secondary School, Carrick-on-Suir
Afternoon: Comeragh College, Carrick-on-Suir
Tuesday 8th April:
Morning: St. Declan’s Community College, Kilmacthomas.
Afternoon: Scoil Mhuire, Greenhill, Carrick-on-Suir
Evening 7pm – Community Event, the Carraig Hotel, Carrick-on-Suir - Open to the Public.
Morning: St. Declan’s Community College, Kilmacthomas.
Afternoon: Scoil Mhuire, Greenhill, Carrick-on-Suir
Evening 7pm – Community Event, the Carraig Hotel, Carrick-on-Suir - Open to the Public.
Linda Fahy, owner Tudor Artisan Hub Arts Collective and Creative Enterprise, Carrick-on-Suir has mentored Finn with his project at both the local and National level and is excited to see 'Stay Connected' project come to fruition with the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club at the helm. Linda is also supporting the Lion’s Club on the PR/Marketing campaign for Finn’s Project.
The Team – Finn McLoughlin (Comeragh College), Shirley O’Shea and Stephanie Keating (The Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club), Conor Harris (The Other Side of Life), Jim O’Dwyer (SERDATF) and Linda Fahy (Tudor Artisan Hub),– have been communicating in-person and virtually to work out the best collaborative approach to help make this inaugural event as valuable as possible and are excited to make it happen.
The Other Side of Life by Conor Harris is an interactive, educational workshop that is aimed at youth and adults of all ages, to empower and inform on the use of alcohol and recreational drugs, the importance of one’s inner circles, friendships, and influences, as well as what life is like on the other side, as a recovering addict. The presentation is delivered over 45 minutes, with opportunities for questions and informal conversations for a further 15 – 30 minutes, or however long it takes to ensure the needs of each facility are met. Click here to learn more about Conor's story and programme.
SERDAFT will support Conor Harris both at the Schools and the Public Event. SERDAFT will invite a broader team equipped to answer questions from the Community at the Public Event and will have information packs on hand. Click here to learn more about SERDAFT
So please spread the word, come along and support the Team and this amazing initiative kick-started by a 16-year-old. Gain valuable insights into how we can collectively make a positive difference in the lives of young people in our Community.
"As 'Stay Connected' takes shape and begins to make its impact, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported and believed in this project from the very beginning. Your encouragement, mentoring, expertise, and commitment have been instrumental in transforming this idea into a reality," says Finn.
My Lions Club Young Ambassador Award Project Proposal at the National Level
