Former students win AIB Better Ireland Award

Congratulations to  two of Ashbourne Community School's past pupils, Barry Farrell and Thomas McKeown  who facilitate a Youth Club in Drogheda (ABAILE) for young people with Autism and Aspergers Syndrome.   
We are proud that they have scooped the top prize of €5,000 in the AIB Better Ireland Awards.  

ABAILIE Youth Club
ABAILE runs  two Saturday Youth Clubs for young people with Autism and Asperger Syndrome from many different schools. These have been described by one parent as "saving his teenagers life” during the last year by giving him a social outlet where he is totally accepted and welcomed.

The ethos behind the clubs is to provide a safe, easy, neutral setting where children attending different schools can meet up in a non-pressurised environment.  We try to mirror regular teenage social settings and activities as much as possible by taking part in activities such as bowling or the waterpark.  But there are also opportunities for children or teenagers to play computer games or listen to music.



The clubs have grown in an organic fashion, developing and growing with the children.

The clubs are split by age group.  The 8-14 age group meet every Saturday from 12.30 to 2.30.  The children are encouraged to mix and play a number of games and activities as well as having the opportunity to engage in social activities over lunch and snacks.    Activities are mixed to suit the children attending such as computer , football , tennis, art or whatever a particular child chooses to do. 

The older group from 14 upwards meet from 2.30 onwards.  Usually they hang out in the community centre for an hour or two playing games and making some plans for later that afternoon.  They then go to swimming/bowling/pictures/waterpark or sometime special outings are planned such as the Surfing in at the Neptune Center in Clogherhead or a visit to a concert or comedy gig.

There are two youth leaders in the club working on a buddy basis with the teenagers.

The Clubs are based in the Holy Family Community Centre, Ballsgrove, Drogheda.  For more information please contact Jacinta Walsh on 087 2407431 or jacintawalsh@ireland.com