YOUR ADVENTURE, YOUR VOICE, YOUR PROJECT53
WHAT
YOUTH LEAD
LOOKS LIKE.
At Project53, young people aren’t just here to take part. They’re here to belong, contribute, make decisions and lead. We believe young people grow when they’re trusted with real responsibility – not just given pretend choices.
At Project53, young people aren’t just here to take part. They’re here to belong, contribute, make decisions and lead.
We believe young people grow when they’re trusted with real responsibility – not just given pretend choices.
You don’t have to be “a leader”
Leadership isn’t about being the loudest person in the room.
It might mean:
- Having an idea and putting it forward
- Helping plan an activity
- Taking responsibility for a task
- Making a decision when things don’t go to plan
- Listening to someone else’s point of view
- Helping someone who is struggling
- Teaching someone a skill you’ve learned
- Looking after the group
- Speaking up when something isn’t right
- Knowing when to ask for help
Sometimes leadership means stepping forward.
Sometimes it means making space for someone else to step forward.
Project53 gives young people opportunities to grow their responsibility over time.
From participant to leader
PARTICIPATE
Try things. Explore. Have fun.
You don’t need to know everything. You don’t need to be the most confident person in the group.
You just need to turn up and have a go.
CONTRIBUTE
Have your say. Get involved.
Share ideas. Help make decisions. Take on small responsibilities. Help shape what Project53 becomes.
LEAD
Take an idea and make it happen.
Plan an activity. Organise a project. Bring people together. Solve problems. Support younger members.
And learn what happens when something doesn’t quite go according to plan.
That’s leadership too.
We don’t believe in giving young people responsibility just for the sake of saying they’re “youth-led”.
The adults at Project53 are there to provide experience, support, boundaries and safety.
Adults don’t have all the answers
they aren’t there to make every decision.
We’ll ask:
“What do you think?”
“How could we make this work?”
“What do you want to try?”
And sometimes:
“Okay — you lead it. We’ll help you.”
Project53 gives young people opportunities to grow their responsibility over time.
Young people will have genuine opportunities to influence what we do, while adults remain responsible for safeguarding, risk management and the things that adults need to be responsible for.
FOR ADULTS. VOLUNTEER YOUR SKILLS.
YOU KNOW
SOMETHING
WORTH PASSING ON.
Fix a bike. Cook over a fire. Build something. Grow something. navigate a mountain. take a photograph. Run a business. Play an instrument.
Or simply be good at showing up and giving young people a chance.
YOUNG PEOPLE
BACK
YOURSELF.
A new youth community for Donabate built around belonging, adventure, practical skills and young people discovering what they can do.
Register your interest here.
EVERYONE’S WELCOME
KINDNESS, EQUALITY, INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, LOVE.
Everyone is welcome, everyone belongs – a safe, inclusive space where every young person can be themselves, be heard and find their place.
