Youth Safety & Wellbeing Conference Creates Powerful Impact

Newry, Mourne and Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) along with their partners in the PSNI, the Education Authority and Crisis Café, Newry, hosted the first ever Youth Safety & Wellbeing Conference in The Canal Court Hotel Newry. 

The conference which was organised on World Mental Health Day and focused on the provision of safety and wellbeing advice and guidance for young people. The conference was presented by Cool FM broadcaster Stuart Robinson and was attended by over 400 students from 7 schools across the Newry district area including St. Colman’s College, St. Marys High School, Newry High School, St. Josephs High School, Sacred Heart Grammar School, Our Lady’s Grammar School and Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar School.  Those who attended on the day took away insights from experts and professionals from various disciplines took who delivered a series of inspiring presentations.  

Interactive presentations were delivered covering topics on Road Safety (delivered by PSNI Roads Policing Team), Sextortion and Online Safety (delivered by Newry City Neighbourhood Policing Team), Knife Crime and Organised Fights (delivered by the PSNI Armed Response Unit) and Mental Health and Wellbeing (delivered by the Crisis Café, Newry).  

Vice Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down PCSP, Michelle Osborne, who opened the conference said, “The youth conference was the first of its kind across our district and it was fantastic to see successful partnerships come together to deliver vital messages around safety and wellbeing. It is important to remember that safety and wellbeing are not just individual responsibilities, but collective goals. It takes a community to work together to create an environment where every person feels secure, supported, and empowered. Safety and wellbeing issues affect us all—whether we’re students, educators, parents, or community leaders.”

Throughout the conference, expert key speakers delivered a series of informative and interactive presentations. This format allowed students who attended to explore how they can keep themselves and their peers safe. It also provided them with the opportunity to become an advocate for change in their respective schools, on their use of social media and within their local communities.

Newry, Mourne and Down PCSP, along with their partners in PSNI, Education Authority and Crisis Café Newry would like to thank all students, staff, and speakers who attended the conference, the Canal Court Hotel for their hospitality and to the Bolster Buddies (Bolster Community) who also supported the event.

For more information or enquiries please contact Newry, Mourne and Down PCSP at PCSP@nmandd.org.