Involve Youth and Community Services

01/09/2026

Interested in Traveller inclusion and the Public Sector Duty?

Check out Involve’s free STATUS Toolkit (Supporting Travellers Advance through Universal Services) in-person training session in Athlone.

Date of the next STATUS Toolkit Training:
Wednesday, 16 September 2026

Time: 10am–1pm

Venue: Involve CLG, Monksland Business Park, Monksland, Athlone, N37 VX52,
Co. Roscommon

Light refreshments and lunch will be provided. (Free of charge)

Please contact Cathy Lynch at [email protected] or on 086 824 9647 to secure your place.

SPACES FILLING FAST

31/08/2026

The National Traveller Heritage Strategy 2026 - 2030 was recently launched and seeks to support the advancement of Traveller Culture and Identity.

The strategy is well worth a read, with further information and a link to the strategy found here: https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/news/news-features/the-heritage-council-launches-irelands-first-traveller-heritage-strategy

Two of the exciting initiatives included in the strategy are:

1. National Traveller Heritage Hub

An initial scoping study will be undertaken to understand the possible operating models for a national Heritage Hub. The Oversight Group will inform the development of the brief for this scoping study and consider how to act on its recommendations. A policy recommendation may be necessary.

2. Funding for post doctoral research focussed on Traveller heritage through a partnership with Research Ireland

**

The Traveller Heritage Working Group was convened by Owen Patrick Ward of University of Galway in December 2023.

The Group met eleven times between December 2023 and April 2026.

The members of the working group are listed below:

Cork Traveller Women’s Network (Louise Harrington & Mags O’Sullivan)

Galway Traveller Movement (Nora Corcoran)

Involve Youth and Community Services (Michael Power)

Irish Traveller Movement (Jacinta Brack)

Meath Traveller’s Workshops (Nell McDonagh)

Mincéirs Whiden (Maureen Ward)

National Museum of Ireland (Oein DeBhairduin)

National Traveller Women’s Forum (Maria Joyce & Lauren Carroll May)

Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre (John Paul Collins & Caoimhe McCabe)

Tallaght Travellers Community Development Project (Patrick Nevin)

Western Traveller & Intercultural Development Centre (Martin Ward)

Department of Children, Disability and Equality (Patricia Ballantine

Jessica Perrolat, Sinéad McEvoy, Conor McGinn)

Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage, (Alan Smyth & Ashley Tonge)

The Heritage Council (Virginia Teehan, Lisa Shortall & Aalia Kamal)

31/08/2026

Great to see Involve Head Office staff complete the HSE Traveller Health e-learning module, complemented by additional discussion facilitated by our CEO, Michael Power. The Traveller Health module is aimed at those seeking to build awareness of Traveller health inequalities, challenge assumptions, strengthen cultural competence and help ensure the services they provide are inclusive, respectful and culturally appropriate. This HSE online training is available to others interested in learning more at:

https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/training-and-development/national-social-inclusion-office-training-programmes/introduction-to-traveller-health-training/

For those seeking additional tools and resources to take action towards strengthening Traveller inclusion within their services or communities, please contact Cathy Lynch at: [email protected] to learn more about how the Status Toolkit’s (Supporting Travellers Advance through Universal Services) Continuous Improvement Plan and auditing tools can support the measurement, monitoring and improvement of Traveller inclusion.

06/07/2026

On the 14th of May 2026, coinciding with Traveller Pride Week, two national stamps that celebrate Irish Travellers and their history were launched. The stamps reference key aspects of Traveller life including nomadism, craftwork and the Cant language. Involve is delighted to have this artwork feature in the reception of our head office in Athlone! Involve Youth Service Ballinasloe & Loughrea & Salthill Involve Youth Project Meath Involve Youth Project Letterkenny Involve Ballina Youth Project Department of Children, Disability and Equality

22/06/2026

Check out some new podcasts on the No Shame Podcast, all podcast are available to listen to on Spotify

🎙️ Five new podcast episodes are now live on our Spotify channel! 🎧

We’ve had the privilege of sitting down with some incredible guests, including Martin “Beanz” Warde, Emma Ward, Michael Reilly, and Maureen Ward, for some honest and inspiring conversations.

Together, we explore important topics including:
✨ Creativity
📚 Education
🏅 Sport
🌍 Intersectionality
💚 Growing up as a Traveller

These are conversations that inform, inspire, and celebrate lived experiences. We’d love for you to have a listen and let us know what you think!

🎧 Tune in now on the No Shame Podcast😝😎

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UFJsjQPWPtFElnGmGERKH?si=xv4qD1skT1aKj0YohsivLw

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6y6L3qxGsuMtY5TFK67Si2?si=QOk8_87BTJGoP5DLiZ5inw

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YxZV9dwwtLdMg8DjAYWSF?si=ykR5LntiQXiYdFUpMGij4A

https://open.spotify.com/episode/41dG4IK7TuW8EgfBlB5fVh?si=JUMjiLQTToaTIRNzL2WvOQ

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0juh2IOGTnIKMrY355zIZj?si=-nO25Lb7RgOMYgo0GKcDlw

The No Shame Campaign is proudly funded by Rethink Ireland through the Headstart fund in collaboration with Z Zurich Foundation and the HSE.

04/06/2026

Leitrim Travellers have STATUS!

Involve CLG were delighted to meet the wonderful team at Leitrim Travellers and youth work colleagues in Carrick on Shannon to discuss the STATUS Toolkit and supporting Travellers access universal services. It was a great session, and it was fantastic to meet those who work in early years, youth group, family support, community development and Primary Healthcare. The Involve team look forward to remaining in contact!

Leitrim Development Company
Youthreach Leitrim Department of Children, Disability and Equality

28/05/2026

We’re Hiring

Involve Youth and Community Services CLG is seeking an Operational Manager to join our team based in Athlone.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated professional to help lead and coordinate high-quality youth services across our organisation, supporting strategic development, operational excellence, and positive outcomes for young people and communities.

Location: Monksland Business Park, Athlone, Co. Roscommon
Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary: €46,000 – €50,000

We’re looking for someone with:
• Strong organisational and leadership skills
• Experience in youth/community work or related fields
• A proactive and collaborative approach
• A commitment to supporting teams and delivering quality services

To apply, send your CV and Cover Letter to: [email protected]

15/05/2026

Powerful to see Irish Traveller culture, language and identity recognised and celebrated 🇮🇪💚

Mincéir/Pavee history, resilience and contribution to Irish life deserve to be honoured not just during Traveller Pride Week, but every day. These new stamps from An Post are a beautiful reminder that Traveller culture and language are an important part of Ireland’s history and story

Happy Traveller Pride Week 2026 💚

06/05/2026

Check out the events happening around the country for Traveller Pride Week 2026!

From family fun days and cultural exhibitions to storytelling, music, workshops, and community celebrations, this year’s programme highlights the richness, diversity, and resilience of Traveller culture and identity.

Traveller Pride Week, a two-week event celebrating the culture, heritage and identity of Travellers. The initiative aims to celebrate and promote the Traveller community’s unique contribution to Irish society while combating the discrimination and prejudice they face.

10/04/2026

Traveller Pride Week

Traveller Pride Awards Nomination Deadline Extended!

Deadline Extended!

There’s still time to recognise the incredible achievements within our community

The Traveller Pride Awards nomination deadline has been extended to 12am on 17th April

Do you know someone making a difference?
Someone inspiring others through their work, talent, or leadership?

Application form available via: [email protected]

Award Categories:
• Community
• Education
• Enterprise or Employment
• Intersectionality
• Music, Arts or Culture
• Sport
• Youth (12–18 years)
• Youth (19–25 years)

Travellers' Voice Irish Traveller Movement Minceirs Whiden Pavee Point Involve Youth and Community Services National Traveller Womens Forum