Search
05 Apr 2026
Search
05 Apr 2026
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
by Marianne Flood
A young Derry woman who struggled after the death of her mum has turned her life around with the help of a new youth project.
Donna McDaid, 21, left school at 16 to study childcare at the NWIFHE but had to leave after a year because she was also acting as a carer for her severely ill mother.
She spent the next few years devoted to nursing her mum, but when she passed away last year Miss McDaid rarely left the house and was sleeping badly.
Speaking at the official launch of the ‘Life Hack’ project in the Rath Mor Centre last Friday she said it has dramatically improved her quality of life.
“I recently started a voluntary placement with Pet FBI and my sleep pattern is much better, explained Miss McDaid.
“I jump out of bed in the morning now.”
‘Life Hack’ member Jason Burke, 24, said he lacked direction after he left school with no qualifications.
But since joining the Life Hack project two months ago he has secured a work experience at Blast Gym.
“I’m on my way to achieving my personal goal of becoming the best PT [personal trainer] in Derry,” he said.
‘Life Hack’ is run by Creggan Enterprises under their Personal Youth Development Programme and provides support for young people aged 16 to 25 in the local community.
Project Co-ordinator Richard McRory said the programme offers participants access to courses, activities and training suited to their individual needs.
“This is a real opportunity for young people (aged 16-25) who may be challenged with a range of social issues to make positive changes in their life, towards success and to get support for the many difficult issues which they may face.
“We help young people overcome the challenges they face on a daily basis.
“Things we might perceive as quite simple can present as big problems to some young people.”
Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council Maolíosa McHugh said he was very impressed with Life Hacks
“I spent the greater part of my life working in this area.
“One thing I can say with confidence to the young people taking parts in this project is it works.”
Delays are expected in Coleraine tomorrow (Saturday).
Team at Adriennes retirement
Heather Nicholl has been announced as a finalist in the Health and Fitness Personal Trainer of the Year category.
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
