Autumn/Winter 2013
-
Upload
nonameclubltd -
Category
Documents
-
view
238 -
download
4
description
Transcript of Autumn/Winter 2013
Autumn/Winter 2013www.nonameclub.ie
The No Name! Club“Providing positive alternatives to alcohol for young people across Ireland”
35th Anniversary
Volunteers from all over Ireland gather in the Newpark hotel, Kilkenny, to celebrate the formation of the No Name Club
IN 1978 Fr Tom Murphy, Eamonn Doyle and Eddie Keher met in the Newpark Hotel Kilkenny to discuss organising alcohol free activities for young people in Kilkenny.Saturday the 9th of November, No Name Club members past and present gathered in the same venue to celebrate 35 years since the inception of the organisation.Also in attendance were hosts and hostesses from the Kilkenny and Dungarvan club who made sure everyone was seated at the correct table.During the day many of the current volunteers in attendance had taken part in the Annual Adult Conference. Current host and hostess of the year, Alan Hayes and Suzanne O’Donnell were the MC’s for the evening. Once everyone was seated in the ballroom of the Newpark, Fr Tom Murphy,Eddie Keher and Eamon Doyle were presented with three No Name Club Callaway Golf bags and were invited to
cut a special No Name Club cake. Following the cutting of the cake Fr Murphy said a prayer before everyone was treated to a delicious three course meal.Continued on page three.....
Pictured at the 35th Anniversary were founding members Fr Tom Murphy, Eamonn Doyle and Eddie Keher with No Name Club Chairperson Carole Goulding (Photo: Pat Moore)
Suzanne and Alan(Photo: Pat Moore)
Leanne Kiely, Hollywood NNC, enjoying the Youth Conference in Lilliput.
Full story on page 4.
A very Happy Birthday to all of us! No Name Club reached the ripe old age of 35 this year and it was celebrated with our own Gathering in the place it all started, the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny. We joined together with lots of familiar names and faces, and talked and reminisced until the late hours. Now, as 2013 draws to a close and even though we are only half way through the current No Name Club season, I take this opportunity to reflect on the wonderful year we have experienced together. As one of the leading Youth Organisations in the Country we are part of the National Quality Standards Framework - a structure to ensure and enhance quality service provision – and we are meeting all requirements, this endorses the valuable work our clubs doing at grass roots level. Our 30th National Youth Awards on 6th April took place in the Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny. Once again it was a magnificent night and Suzanne and Alan were worthy winners. Shortly afterwards on the 20th of April this year’s Supertalent saw almost 700 people gather for the final in Limerick’s wonderful Lime Tree Theatre. There were amazing displays of talent as No Name Club hosts and hostesses took to the stage to sing, play instruments, dance and perform comedy routines. Over 23 clubs from all over Ireland gathered together to watch the performances and we were treated to a day of outstanding entertainment.
The of 12th October saw just over 200 No Name Club members gather in Westmeath for discussions and fun activities, with clubs from all over the country in attendance. The first half of the day took place in Kilbeggan Secondary School where hosts and hostesses took part in talks all centered around the subject of health promotion including cyber bullying, communications and active youth involvement with the No Name Club. Shane Mullins from DMESS Project spoke about his experiences of recovery after a horrific drink driving accident.
Carole GouldingChairperson
The No Name! Club
2013, a year to remember
THE No Name Club has appointed a new Communications Officer. Brian Anglim, who has recently graduated from the University of Limerick with a BA in Journalism and New Media, came on board this September. If you would like to be included in our next newsletter or if you have other communication issues feel free to contact Brian on 085-7206506 or [email protected]
New Communications Officer
No Name News
2
Sights set on Health Quality Mark
WE’RE happy to announce that the No Name Club is currently in the process of securing a National Youth Health Programme Quality Mark (HQM) for our youth work. The mark is awarded through the National Youth Council of Ireland in conjunction with the HSE. To qualify for the HQM the No Name Club must fulfill up to 12 criteria set out in the HQM guidelines. Because the club has a number of these criteria already in place it’s hoped that we will be able to achieve bronze level HQM certification by the end of June 2014.
The No Name Club staff would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and happy
and prosperous New Year
No Name News
Continued from page 1...
Carole Goulding addressed the room following the meal and reminded everyone just how much has changed in Ireland over the course of the 35 years since the No Name Club was founded. Eamonn Doyle spoke on behalf of the three founders. He spoke about howthe growth of the organisation of the No Name Club had grown beyond his wildest expectations.Since 1978, Eamonn’s son Shane has been part of the No Name Club as a host and now as a member of the Board of Directors. This September Shane’s
daughter joined the Kilkenny No NameClub as a hostess making it three generations of Doyle’s just in time to mark the 35th Anniversary.Alan and Suzanne rounded theevening off by drawing the winner of the No Name Club Facebook tablet competition. The winner was Luke Worth from Erris No Name Club. Everyone in attendance was given a piece of crystal along with a No Name Club diary for the coming year.Almost every No Name Club was represented at the event and the time after the meal afforded volunteers past and present to catch up with old friends.
Three Generations of Doyle celebrate 35 years of the NNC
No Name Club launches on Facebook and TwitterTHE No Name Club is
happy to announce that
it now has an official
national Facebook page
and Twitter account.
The pages were
launched in September
and are already proving
a popular outlet among
adult volunteers and
hosts and hostesses. Our
Facebook page got over
1,000 ‘likes ‘ in just a few
weeks.
Our Facebook and
Twitter pages are bril-
liant ways of keeping up
to date with everything
No Name related, both
national and local.
You can also get in-
volved in submitting
content whether it is
photographs, videos or
anything else by mail-
ing banglim@noname-
club. ie.
Three generations of No Name Club members, Shane Doyle, Aoife Doyle and Eamonn Doyle (Photo: Pat Moore)
Hosts and hostesses enjoying the anniversary celebrations (Photo: Pat Moore)
3
EARLY October saw over 200 No Name Club members
gather in Westmeath for a day of insightful discussion
and fun activities, with clubs from all over the country in
attendance.
The first half of the day took place in Kilbeggan
Secondary School where hosts and hostesses took part
in three different talks all centred around the subject
health promotion.
Shane Mullins spoke about his experiences of recovery
after a horrific drink driving accident left him with life
changing injuries. His talk touched on the dangers of
drink driving and his own mental health issues since
his accident. Hosts and hostesses also took part in
discussions on cyber bullying, communications and
active youth involvement with the No Name Club. Edith
Geraghty, Regional Development Officer for No Name
Club, talked to hosts and hostesses about how they
would like to change and improve in their clubs.
After a lunch of soup and sandwiches at the Lilliput
Adventure Centre, participants began an evening of
activities including archery, rock climbing, canoeing and
golf. Thankfully the weather on the day was perfect, and
aside a bit of splashing in the lake, no one got too cold.
No Name Club CEO, John Donovan, was very happy with
how the day went:
“The No Name Club Health Promotion Conference
in Lilliput was a wonderful success. Club members
from all over Ireland came together and engaged
enthusiastically with all of the subjects covered. It
was great to see everybody considering areas such as
positive mental health, cyber bullying and active youth
engagement. The good weather really contributed to
a wonderful afternoon of activities which focussed on
physical activity as a key element of good health.”
LiLLipuT YouTh CoNfereNCe Over 200 gather for fun filled day at Lilliput
Shane Mullins, who spoke to host and hostesess about his life experiences, his
concept of D’MESS is explained below
4
LILLIPut GALLery
5
MeLLerAy
Record crowd gathers in Mt. Melleray for action packed weekendOVER 300 hosts and host-
esses from seven different
No Name Club’s gathered
in Melleray Scout Centre
this November, our big-
gest ever attendance at the
event.
Addressing the hosts and
hostesses on arrival was
No Name Club CEO John
Donovan, who laid down
some ground rules but also
encouraged everyone to
make the most of the week-
end by “catching up with
old friends and making the
effort to make new ones”.
The first activity of the
weekend was a treasure
hunt. This gave people
a chance to split up into
groups and meet new
people from other clubs.
The clues for the treasure
were located on a number
of adult volunteers hidden
throughout the scout cen-
tre. The rest of the Friday
night was left open to the
imagination of the host and
hostesses, some explored
the Scout Centre while
others sat around chatting
and making friends. It was
-5 outside but thanks to a
recent renovation
of the Scout
Centre there
was plenty
of warmth
inside.
T h r e e
Z u m b a
classes took
place Saturday and
proved very popular with
both girls and boys. Class-
es took place both indoors
and outdoors.
Others went on a hike
through the scenic
surroundings of Mount
Melleray.
A team from Ardmore
Adventure Centre put on
a range of outdoor activi-
ties including archery and
team building exercises af-
ter lunch and for the first
time in a few years the rain
held off, giving the hosts
and hostesses the chance
to build and light a
bonfire for lat-
er that night.
Early that
e v e n i n g
b a n d s
made up
of hosts
and hostesses
kept people en-
tertained with a musical
session.
Saturday night saw hosts
and hostesses scrub up
for a disco followed by the
lighting of the bonfire at the
back of the scout centre.
By the time Sunday morn-
ing rolled around it was
clear that the previous two
late nights had taken their
toll.
Everyone pitched in to
clean the Scout Centre
before departing home
around lunchtime for some
much needed sleep. On the
basis of this weekend, it’s
no wonder there’s always
such demand for spaces in
Melleray.
6
MeLLerAy GALLery
7
NeWS frOM tHe cLubS
Cobh celebrate 21 year’s
IT’S 21 years since Sister Emmanuel began the process of
setting up a No Name Club in the seaside town of Cobh,
Co. Cork.
On May 15th 1992, the club held its very first official
event in the local VEC.
On Friday the 29th of November the club celebrated its
21st anniversary in the Sirius Arts Centre.
John Mulvihill, Mayor of Cobh, thanked everyone in-
volved in the club and highlighted the massive difference
the club has made to many young people in the town
throughout the 21 years it has been in operation.
He paid particular tribute to Sean Twomey as the “driv-
ing force” behind the club for over 15 years.
Carole Goulding also praised the wonderful achieve-
ments of the club and wished them well for the future.
Jim Hackett, another one of the founding members,
also spoke about his involvement with the club and cited
acquiring a premises as a big step to getting the club off
the ground.
John Donovan, CEO, spoke on behalf of the No Name
Club, congratulating them on their anniversary and
praised the work of the adult comittee, particularly Sean
Twomey, Linda Broderick and Bridget Broderick.
Sean thanked everybody on behalf of the club. Presen-
tations were then made to the founding members Nol-
laig Griffen, Brenda McCarthy, Sr Emmanuel, Jim Hackett
and Eamonn Doyle.
Athboy pick up ‘Pride of Place’ award
(Left to Right) Eamonn Doyle, Nollaig Griffen, Brenda McCarthy, Sr Emmanual, Jim Hackett and Sean Twomey
(Left to Right) Jackie McGuire, Cllr John V Farrelly, Katie McCormack, Fr Patrick O’Connor, Ciaran Perry Mary Weston, Aoife Dunne and Betty Beirne
ATHBOY No Name Club made more strides in their
local community this Autumn, picking up first place in
the Youth Project Category of Meath County Council’s
Pride of Place Awards.
The title of the prize winning project was ‘Making a
World of Difference’. The project has provided a dedi-
cated space within the community to encourage dis-
cussion about suicide and positive mental health.
The Globe at the centre of the fixture represents the
global impact of suicide, trees denote local lives lost to
suicide and the seating area gives visitors to the space
an opportunity to remember and reflect.
Cllr John V Farrelly made the presentation to Katie
McCormack(Leader), hostesses Mary Weston & Aoife
Dunne with County Manager Jackie Magiure. Speaking
at the awards Fr Partrick O’Connor, Chairperson of Athboy
No Name Club, noted the effort put in by the Athboy host
and hostesses:
“This is a project that is done in your name and I ask you
all to take pride in the work done to date and to look after
this special space”.
The reflection area is already proving extremely popu-
lar with locals and this kind of endeavour is typical of the
work Athboy No Name Club have been putting into their
local community.
8
MID September saw over
50 members of New Ross
No Name Club graduate at
a dinner event in the Horse
and Hound outside the
town. The night included a
three course meal, a grad-
uation presentation and a
disco until 12pm. Follow-
ing the meal Chairperson of
the adult Committee, David
Lee, presented the teenag-
ers with their graduation
certificates alongside adult
volunteer Kevin Burke.
Gareth Brown offered some
kind words of thanks to the
committee when accept-
ing his certificate and Rory
Nolan cracked a few jokes
after receiving his certifi-
cate. A slideshow running
throughout the dinner
gave anyone in attendance
not familiar with the club
a taste of the fun they had
throughout the last year.
This was one of a number of
graduations that took place
in clubs marking the end of
a young persons year with
a club.
KELLS No Name Club have
been very busy over the last
few months.
The club organised a min-
ion movie night in late Sep-
tember to promote the club
in the town and find some
new members.
New and old members
also took part in the clubs
annual ‘Stay Awake Night’
where the hosts and hos-
tesess stayed in the Kells
People’s Resource Centre
overnight. They watched
scary movies, dressed in
pyjamas and ate fast food
from the local Chinese.
The night was a great suc-
cess and raised €200.
The club have also began
their health promotion
schedule on Mental Health.
This year they’ve decided to
focus on different ways of
dealing with stress.
The club also had a local
herbalist come in to the
club to discuss alternative
methods of using essential
oils.
Club members then had
the chance to make their
own essential oils.
The club are now looking
forward to the New Year
to begin our fund-raising
plans for the National Youth
Awards.
As well as this the club will
be trying their hand at a
mindfulness course, laugh-
ing yoga and interpretive
dance.
Kells No Name Club raise €200 for club
NeWS frOM tHe cLubS
New Ross Celebrates Graduation
Graduating members of New Ross No Name Club 2013 Kevin and David
9
Killarney No Name Club’s Life Changing Gift For Eoghan
EOGHAN O’Brien turned
three in early November,
he’s obsessed with Gui-
tars, playing with cars and
Peppa Pig.
Eoghan is growing up
fast and started preschool
in October, he dressed up
for Halloween and went on
his very first ‘trick or treat’
too.
As you can see from the
photo, Eoghan is a very
happy and active child, but
he also has his difficulties.
Along with his 13 year old
sister, Eoghan has been di-
agnosed with autism.
He also has a sensory pro-
cessing disorder and can
find aspects of everyday life
difficult.
Killarney No Name Club
held a Disco in late Octo-
ber, with the proceeds go-
ing towards Autism Ireland.
They also held an old phone
collection for Eoghan. As
a result of this collection,
Eoghan will now be able to
get an iPad through Autism
Ireland, which will be crucial
towards his development.
The disco also raised €900
for Autism Ireland.
The iPad will be equipped
with special programs for
aiding in the develop-
ment of young children
with Autism.
Eoghan’s mother, Valerie
O’Brien, had some very
kind words for the Killar-
ney No Name Club:
“After hearing about the
fantastic reputation the Kil-
larney No Name Club have,
I contacted them about try-
ing to help me collect 185
phones to help my chil-
dren with their develop-
ment. After collecting 185
phones, Autism Ireland will
provide us with an iPad to
help with Eoghan’s devel-
opment. They raised €900
and helped me collect 120
phones. I would like to per-
sonally thank them and tell
you what a fantastic club
Killarney is. I will be forever
grateful to them in helping
me with this huge task that
at the beginning seemed
impossible.”
Giving Back to the Community KILLARNEY No Name Club
have a history of giving
back to their community,
and this year was no differ-
ent.
Upon hearing about the
difficulties faced in bringing
children from Chernobyl to
Ireland in recent years, the
Killarney NNC members de-
cided to host a fund raising
disco, raising over €1,000.
The money will be raised
for the transport costs for
the children from Dublin
to Killarney. The club also
donated money to Pieta
House Kerry.
The issue of suicide and
services working in the
area of suicide is something
very close to the heart of
the club, this spurred club
members on to hosting a
disco to raise money for the
cause. Even the DJ’s and
Bouncers donated some of
their fees on the night. In
total over €4,000 was raised
for Pieta house.
Presenting €4,000 raised to Pieta HouseKillarney NNC members presenting the €1,000 raised for the Children of Chernobyl
NeWS frOM tHe cLubS
10
A busy year for everyone in St Josephs
THE past year has been among the
most successful since the clubs for-
mation in 1998.
The year began with the club
members being involved in a
Foroíge organised inter-club bowl-
ing competition where they won an
exciting competition by a narrow
margin.
The club also attended the ‘Freak
Scene’ show to mark Halloween
festivities.
A graduation for last years mem-
bers took place where they received
their certificates in personal devel-
opment and organisational skills
which are very helpful to those
seeking part- time employment.
Club members attended the an-
nual weekend events at Mount
Melleray in Co. Waterford and an
enjoyable time was had by all with
club members catching up with old
friends and making new ones.
The Host and Hostesses had their
annual night out in Scoozi’s res-
taurant and a few weeks after this
Natasha Walshe was chosen as
the winner of the Hostesses Com-
petition in the regional finals of the
Youth Awards in Mallow Co. Cork.
In the National Super Talent Com-
petition, Aoife Burke competed in
the Munster Finals of the National
Super Talent Competition in Fermoy
where she qualified for the national
finals in Limerick.
Aoife contested the final of the
solo dance competition where she
was among the runners up in highly
competitive event.
St Josephs entry in the two minute
No Name Club Film Competition
in the National Supertalent Finals
won second prize for which they re-
ceived an inscribed glass trophy.
In early May the club members re-
searched and compiled their entry
for the HSE sponsored Health Pro-
motion Project titled “Understand-
ing Mental Health”. As part of the
project the group examined suicid-
ed statistics for both the North and
South of Ire- land as well as looking
at what sup- port services to those
who experience stress in their lives.
Joe Mullane thanked the local
businesses, the local representa-
tives, the City of Cork VEC, St Jo-
sephs Credit Union Ltd and the
National No Name Club for their
generous financial sup- port which
is greatly appreciated by everyone
in the club.
Joe also expressed his gratitude to
the adult leaders who have made a
significant contribution to the on-
going success of St Josephs Club
and for their help.
North Clare and Castlerea join the No Name Club familyThe No Name Club is happy to announce it has added two
new clubs to the No Name Family.
North Clare No Name Club were formed in March of this year
and are determined to offer a place for young people outside
of drink culture in the area.
We also welcome Castlerea back after a short absence from
operations.
Pictured to the right is the regional development officer for the region Con Nolan presenting the club manual.
NeWS frOM tHe cLubS
11
erris NNc’s Driving Safety course THE Aim of Erris No Name Club’s
Driving Safety Course was to equip
teenagers with the driving safety
skills to make them more aware of
our health and safety on the road as
well as the health and safety of
pedestrians and passengers.
The course was undertaken using
safety tutorials in Leinster Driv- ing
Campus, Maynooth, Co Kildare.
Participants were welcomed to the
centre on the day, briefed as to what
the course and the day would entail,
given the safety rules and introduced
to the driving instructors.
The first group started with a safety
briefing and a quiz of 40 questions
based on the rules of the road.
Group one then witnessed a brak-
ing distance demonstration where
the host and hostesses estimated the
stopping distance of a vehicle travel-
ling at a range of different speeds in
both dry and wet conditions.
Group two broke into groups of
three to undertake a lesson with a
driving instructor on vehicle famil-
iarisation, car controls, safety checks,
driver responsibilities and the use of
controls for moving away and stop-
ping.
Each participant got the chance to
put what they learned into practice
by driving one of the school’s dual
controlled cars while being assessed
by the instructors. This was a particu-
larly useful because it was based on
the marking scheme for the real driv-
ing test.
The day was a big hit with the hosts
and hostesses, many of whom had
previously been unable to drive.
Kilkenny No Name Club get behind MON-Keano
THERE hasn’t been much joy for Irish soccer fans lately,
but following a new managerial appointment members
of Kilkenny No Name Club decided to make the trip the
Aviva Stadium for an international friendly against Lat-
via.
It was the first game of the Martin O’Neill, Roy Keane era
and the host and hostess were treated to a great game
which Ireland won comfortably 3-0.
Demand was very high for the limited number of spaces
available for the match but Kilkenny No Name Club are
planning more trips to matches in the future.
And it’s not just limited to soccer matches, rugby and
GAA could be on the cards for club members.
12
NeWS frOM tHe cLubS
No Name club tweets Get tweeting and following: @nonameclub1
Home & Away star visits Dungarvan NNC
DUNGARVAN No Name
Club are renowned for their
teenage disco. So it’s no
surprise that they upped
the bar again by having a
special guest appearance
from Dan Ewing who plays
heartthrob ‘Heath’ on the
Australian soap ‘Home and
Away’.
The star from down under
came along to Dungarvan’s
Halloween Disco posing
for photos and meeting
with hundreds of fans.
Fond memories of the NNC
MY name is Natasha Walshe and I have been a member
of St Josephs (Mayfield) No Name Club since September
2010.
I joined in Transition Year with some of my friends from
school and we are all still members of the club. We were
recruited by Dale O’Sullivan who came to talk to our year
about the club and we decided to go and take a look and
I have never looked back!
The experiences and confidence I have built up in my
four years as a member of the No Name Club is some-
thing I will keep with me forever. After the introductory
hostess training I was super excited about being involved
and going to all the events that we heard about. We have
carried out plenty of activities, both with our own club
and on a national level during my time in the club and
many of these activities have presented me with new
opportunities I wouldn’t have dreamed about before I
joined the No Name Club.
I really wanted to get more involved in my club and the
organisation. Every opportunity to do so was presented
to me by my club adult leaders and fellow members.
Last year I sat my leaving certificate and being a member
of the No Name Club really helped me get through the
year. It was a great to have a place to go once a week as
a distraction from all the study. I also participated in the
Super Talent Final with my club and it was a lot of fun
being on stage and preparing our act.
And of course there is the Youth Awards. I attended
the National Youth Awards in 2012 and it was such an
amazing experience. By my third year in the No Name
Club I was full of confidence and surrounded by so many
encouraging leaders that I went forward as Hostess of
the Year in the 2013 National Youth Awards. Although I
was nervous I felt ready and confident enough to get up
on stage in front of the other hosts and hostesses from
clubs throughout Ireland. I will never forget the excite-
ment and nerves of that day but I would do it all again.
My experience in the No Name Club is something I will
benefit from for the rest of my life.
I recommend to all teenagers over 15 to get involved in
a No Name Club and experience the activities they pro-
vide in a safe and friendly environment, free from alcohol
and drugs that are having a devastating effect on young
people and their families throughout this country.
13
NeWS frOM tHe cLubS
Natasha Walshe
14
Members of Castlebar NNC pictured with their Neighbour An Taoiseach Enda Kenny on a recent trip to Dail Eireann
SATURDAY, 4th of May, was a very special day in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. This was the day that Minister Leo
Varadker officially opened the Fusion Centre in the town. The Fusion Centre is a new €250,000 purpose built youth
building which was constructed due to the collaborative efforts of Dungarvan No Name Club and Dungarvan
Scouts.
As well as providing a home for the many activities of No Name Club and the Scouts the building has hosted
several other activities for the young people of the area. In the short few months since it’s opening the Fusion
Centre has hosted activities as diverse as taekwondo, gymnastics, athletics, cycling, boxing (yes we had a full size
ring in there), hip hop dancing, drama, Irish dancing and coderdojo not to mention teenage discos and parties. So
successful and accessible is the Fusion Centre that one of the nearby Secondary schools is now using the centre
during school hours for drama and P.E. This is very gratifying for Dungarvan No Name Club as for many years they
were dependent on the same school to provide their assembly area to No Name for its activities.
NeWS frOM tHe cLubS
New Fusion Centre already being put to great use
PIctureS frOM tHe cLubS
ben Sheridan perform-ing at a Donegal NNc band night
Members of Gort NNc competing in this years Supertalent
Members of finglas NNc
Shannonside Hosts and Hostesses
‘rocking the boat’ at Lyrath
Lorraine Keating and Sarah Wall, ring of Hook NNc, enjoying Melleary
Mountbellow No Name club Host and Hostesses at this years Super talent
15
HAve yOur SAy
coilin Higgins, Kells NNc
My name is Cóilín and I am a host at the Kells No-Name Club
in Co.Meath. I have been with the club for six months now and
this was the first time I got the opportunity to go away with the
club.
I really enjoyed the talk we got from Shane in Kilbeggan. His
idea of D’MESS is a really good idea and is definitely something
that can help when you are trying to achieve something, and he
is indeed a very inspiring person to come through everything that
has happened to him. We also got a talk about Cyber Bullying
and also agreeing to the Cyber-Code, which is a code to promise
never to cyber bully, and also to help others you see being cyber
bullied by reporting it. Both talks were very impressive and really
enjoyable. We also got a No-Name hat, pen and watch before
heading out to Lilliput Adventure Centre.
We had lunch before heading out on activities. Our group first
did the spider web and capture the flag in the forest. I loved these
two activities and through them I got to know some of the other
people in the group. The people in our group were really friendly
and I was worried at first about getting put into a group of people
I didn’t know as I had problems in the past making friends in
school and and I am a quite shy person, but the people in our
group were some of the soundest boys and girls I’ve ever met.
Our other activities included rock climbing, archery and ca-
noeing, and we were very happy to get a warm shower and a
burger after them! I also got one of the No-Name hoddies that
change into a high visibility jacket which I was really impressed
with because I was admiring them on people all that day. I really
enjoyed the talks and the activities, but what I’ll mostly take from
that day was making new friends from the people in my group.
For me, that was the highlight of the day and being at ease and
having the craic with the people in my group made the experi-
ence all the lot better.
ebony Kinghorn, Dungarcan NNc
We reached our first destination after about 3 hours. We all
got off the bus and went into the school where the mental
health talk was being held. There were many other noname
clubs from different counties in Ireland. We were split into dif-
ferent groups with the other nonames. Although I didn’t really
know anyone in the group from my noname club I still had a
great time because they were so nice.
First of all we got muffins and tea. They were delicious! Our
group’s first activity was to listen to the speaker who talked
about the importance of mental health. I found him very inspi-
rational, his story was truly amazing. His talk really made it clear
how important it was to protect your mental health.
Next we went across the road to a hall where we had a dance
contest. We talked to the people in the other No Name clubs,
each and every person I met there was awfully friendly. I had
great fun participating in the dancing even though I didn’t win!
When the dancing was over, we went back onto the bus to
head to Lilliput. When we arrived at our destination we had
sausages and soup to give us energy for all the fun activities
planned for that afternoon.
The first thing our group did was rock climbing. Everyone
participated. I really enjoyed this activity; the instructors were
also very nice and helping. Myself and a few of the other girls
love one direction and we asked the instructors if they knew
Niall Horan, they said yes but we still don’t know if it’s true or
not!
After that we played games together as a group. One of the
games including everyone standing on plank of wood, we had
to sort ourselves out into alphabetical order without stepping
off the plank of wood. It was quiet difficult to not step off the
plank but everyone had a laugh. We played many other games
too, they were all very fun because everyone began making
friends.
two NNc members give their verdict on our day in Lilliput