New Commissioner Visits Newry and Mourne

25 January 2007 News

NICCY on the road to hear from children first hand

THE Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Patricia Lewsley, today visited schools and projects in Newry and Mourne, among the first set of engagements with children since she took up post on January 8th.

When Ms Lewsley was appointed in December, she pledged to hear first hand from children and young people the issues that affect their lives.

“My commitment is to meet as many children and young people as possible,” she said, “and I am delighted to be able to visit schools and projects in Newry and Mourne where I can hear about local issues as well as wider concerns.”

The Commissioner will be visiting St Mary’s High School, Newry; Carrick Primary School, Warrenpoint; the Orana Family Support Centre and the Newry and Mourne Local Strategic Partnership Board.

The Office of the Commissioner has an outreach office in Newry, from which Participation Officer, Eugene Donnelly provides support and training on the work of NICCY and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to schools and youth organisations throughout the Southern region.

“NICCY has 15 priorities that cover a wide range of subjects touching on the lives of children and young people,” said Ms Lewsley. “I would encourage children, young people and their parents or carers to visit our web site or get in touch with my office”

Children, young people and their parents or carers can contact NICCY on 028 9031 1616 or here on our website. Schools and youth organisations can contact the NICCY Southern Region Outreach Office on 028 3083 2996.