Limavady youth activist backs Barnardo’s campaign to tackle misogyny
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Mark is widely respected as a champion for young people through his work with Barnardo’s, Oakleaf Lions and the Wave Project, as well as his role coaching youth teams at Limavady Cricket and Rugby Club
Limavady’s young people were proudly represented at Westminster when local resident and youth worker Mark Hylands attended a reception marking the 160th anniversary of Barnardo’s alongside young carer Sofia Potapova.
Held in the State Rooms at Speaker’s House in the House of Commons on Tuesday, June 30, the event also launched a new campaign aimed at tackling online and offline misogyny among young people.
Mark Hylands, who supports young carers through Barnardo’s and also volunteers with Oakleaf Lions and the Wave Project, spoke about the importance of engaging with political decision-makers to help protect the rights of young people.
“I was delighted to attend Westminster alongside Sofia Potapova, a young carer that I support, to further champion the rights of young people.
“Barnardo’s celebrating 160 years launched our latest campaign, ‘Call It What It Is’.
“The campaign has been put together by a group of young people across the UK based on their experiences of misogyny, particularly in the online space.
“The event was very well attended by MPs from across the house and it is hoped that hearing from the young people directly in the heart of government will help influence and shape policy with regard to online content and the responsibilities of big tech companies.”
Mark is widely respected as a champion for young people through his work with Barnardo’s, Oakleaf Lions and the Wave Project, as well as his role coaching youth teams at Limavady Cricket and Rugby Club.
Alongside his professional and voluntary work, he also works closely with the Dry Arch Centre and the Western Trust’s Family and Childcare Team in Limavady, helping to support children, young people and families across the local community.
He continued: “These are all fantastic organisations.
“This collaboration is key to giving our young people every opportunity and is evidenced in part recently by the Young Carers Festival in association with another great local organisation, Stendhal Festival.
“This needs to be shouted from the rooftops to foster pride in what we do locally and to encourage local politicians and funders to invest in our young people.”
Barnardo’s Northern Ireland held their first Northern Ireland Young Carers Festival on Saturday June 13 at the site of Stendhal Festival in Limavady.
Over 100 Young Carers from across Northern Ireland gathered together at Ballymully Farm to enjoy a day of workshops, performances, live music and a barbeque.
Barnardo’s Young Carers Service in Northern Ireland offers practical, emotional and educational support to children and young people aged 8 – 18 who care for family members with health issues, disabilities or addictions.
The service works to support young carers in the Northern and Western Trust areas of Northern Ireland, helping them to balance their caring responsibilities with childhood and education.
It provides a range of services including advocacy, peer support and social activities, personal development programmes, one to one support and group work and support within schools.
For further information on the Barnardo’s Young Carers Service and how this can support a Young Carer, ring 028 9067 2366 or email [email protected].