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Projects and events

You'll find information about the Youth Forum's recent work here:

Minding Your Mate programme

In January 2011, nine Youth Forum members completed a training session with Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self-Harm (PIPS).

The Mind Your Mate programme, which promotes the importance of positive mental health particularly amongst 16 to 24-year-olds, helps participants to understand why a friend might be considering suicide and why they might not ask for help.

Those taking part were given help around what to say to a friend in difficulties, as well as advice on what signs to watch for and how to get the help they need.

The main themes of the schemes are:

• learn what to look for
• learn what to say
• learn what to do

The forum members also learned how one small gesture can save a life.

For more information about local suicide awareness support groups or training opportunities, call PIPS on 028 9075 5070 or visit www.pipsproject.com

Changing the Conversation campaign

In April 2010, Youth Forum members joined other young people from across Northern Ireland to meet President Mary McAleese as part of the Changing the Conversation campaign.

Developed by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and Co-operation Ireland, the campaign gives young people under 30 the chance to meet and discuss issues that are important to them.

Groups from across Northern Ireland took part in conversations about everything from global climate change to rural transport access as part of the campaign.

Young People's Awards

This annual awards programme recognises the contribution teenagers make to improving community safety in Belfast.

• Find out more about the Young People's Awards scheme

There are several prizes, including a Youth Forum Award. This category is judged by members of the forum and presented to an individual or a group which has improved good relations in their area.

Department of Environment (DOE) Crashed Lives campaign

In January 2009, the Youth Forum attended the launch of the Department of the Environment's Crashed Lives advertising campaign.

The hard-hitting television advertisements are part of a new campaign to raise awareness amongst young people about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

They also highlight the risks of being a passenger in a vehicle where the driver is over the legal limit.

Members of the forum have also been consulted by the DOE's Road Safety section as part of the development of a road safety strategy for Northern Ireland.

Ocean Youth Trust Ireland sail day

In March and April 2009, Youth Forum members were invited by Ocean Youth Trust Ireland (OYTI) to learn how to sail.

OYTI delivered sail training sessions to groups across Belfast in preparation for the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009

Seventeen young people and group leaders took part in the two-day training session on board the Lord Rank, a 70 foot yacht normally berthed at Bangor Marina. After a short safety demonstration and talk, they travelled from Bangor to Belfast Lough, learning how to put up sails and steering the yacht.

You can view photographs of the Youth Forum's sail training day on Flickr or watch two short videos of the session on YouTube