02/11/2026
OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS FAILING TOO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE — AND IT'S TIME WE DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
Across Northern Ireland, there are bright, talented, creative and incredibly unique young people sitting at home instead of attending school.
Not because they lack intelligence. Not because they have nothing to offer. And certainly not because they don't have a future.
But because, for many, the traditional education system simply isn't meeting their needs.
Some are autistic. Some have ADHD, additional learning needs, anxiety or difficulties coping within a traditional classroom environment. Others have become disengaged from education altogether.
Yet behind every one of these young people is a person with their own interests, abilities, imagination and potential.
Not every child learns the same way. Not every young person thrives in a classroom. And not every talent can be measured by an exam result!
At Newtownabbey Arts and Cultural Network (NACN), we believe that community learning, creativity and practical experiences are just as important in helping young people develop confidence, skills and opportunities for their future.
That's why we have developed THE COOLE PROJECT.
C – Creative O – Opportunities O – Outreach L – Lifelong E – Empowerment
Through creative activities, mentoring, personal development and opportunities within the creative industries, we want to help young people rediscover their confidence, recognise their abilities and begin building positive pathways towards education, training and employment.
NOW WE WANT TO HEAR FROM PARENTS AND FAMILIES!
📢 Is your child sitting at home instead of attending school?
📢 Are they struggling with mainstream education?
📢 Are they autistic, have ADHD or additional learning needs?
📢 Have they become isolated, anxious or disengaged from learning?
📢 Do you feel you've been fighting a system that simply doesn't understand your child's needs?
THEN PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH US!
We want to hear your experiences. We want to understand the barriers your child is facing. Most importantly, we want to explore how the COOLE Project can support them.
Our project welcomes young people
