Overview of Blakestown Mountview Youth Initiative

 

Blakestown and Mountview Youth Initiative (BMYI) is a community-based project working in the Blakestown and Mountview area of Blanchardstown.  We work with young people (13-18) and their families, in the region of 60 at any one time.  We are a referral based service, funded through the HSE and Local Drugs Task Force supporting young people and their families with a variety of services. 

We work in a variety of ways; acknowledging the importance of working with the young person and family in a holistic manner; meeting them where they are at. Forming our team is youth development, life skills, education and family support; this enables us to meet needs in diverse approaches.  

How BMYI helps youths at risk from drugs & alcohol 

BMYI has been working with young people at risk of drug and alcohol misuse for a number of years. Through this experience we have developed multiple skills in tackling ways to empower young people to make positive change in their lives.  

Young people who are referred to our service are often at risk of early school leaving which will in turn lead to boredom which may bring them to anti-social behaviour and experimentation with drugs and alcohol. As part of our service we engage young people through one to one sessions and group work, whichever best suits their needs. Within this space we encourage young people to build on their own personal development. They build their self-esteem and self-worth through a number of programmes that we offer. 

Examples of these programmes include: 

• Sport Groups 
• Equine programme 
• Mindfulness 
• Mental Health Programmes 
• Anger management 
• Living with Addiction 
• Crime Awareness 
• Personal development 
• Drug Awareness 
• Career Guidance 
• Relationship and Sexuality Education 
• An Introduction to Make Up 
• Sexual Health 
• Football  
• Volunteering within the community 

We broaden young people horizons as they take part in these programmes. They gain experiences they may not have experienced before. They receive support in a safe confidential space where they can work through personal issues and learn coping strategies which help them to cope with life’s challenges. They learn new hobbies and explore potential career opportunities which keep them occupied and free from boredom, it also allows them to become positive members of their community. As result of this the young people feel a sense of purpose, responsibility and self-worth. This is proven to help young people make informed decisions and strive for a better life in their community or elsewhere.  

BMYI provides this space where young people feel safe to ask for support and guidance. They can take part in programmes suitable to their needs with peers that can also seek support from. We are proud to provide this space with quality evidence based programmes.