My Life: Louise Dolan, 21, Northern Ireland
Louise Dolan
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
I have been part of the Northern Ireland Youth Forum (NIYF) for around two years. Before getting into the NIYF, I had no real ambitions - I didn't know where I wanted to go in life and was working in a call centre, which just wasn't for me.
A work colleague directed me to the NIYF and this is where my life started to move.
Since being a part of the NIYF, I have obtained my OCN (Open College Network) Level 2 and 3 in Youth Work and Programme Development, as well as my OCN Level 3 in Future Leadership.
I have also gained a lot of experience in working with young people in group settings, as well as on an individual basis, and I am now able to get paid work as a youth worker.
With support from Phil Glennon, a participation worker with the NIYF, I applied to do several courses, including my degree in youth work.
I was successful in my application and received an invitation for interview to study a degree in community youth work at the University of Ulster.
The staff at the NIYF were amazing and helped me thoroughly prepare for my interview and I was accepted onto the course.
I am now studying this course while working as a youth worker to develop my skills and experience.
I am confident in saying I would not be where I am today if it were not for the NIYF and its staff.
