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"Promoting our Practice"
"Promoting our Practice"
Content
Promoting our Practice - Youth Work Ireland National Gathering 2025
A Youth Work Ireland Community of Practice Residential
Date: Monday September 22nd - Tuesday September 23rd
Venues: Iveagh Garden Hotel & Harcourt Hotel, Dublin 2
Participants will receive a Youth Work Ireland Digital Badge
About this Event:
A two-day gathering of Youth Work Ireland’s Communities of Practice Groups and Networks (CoPs). The event will celebrate the diversity and strength of youth work practice across our federation and will feature interactive sessions, shared learning, training, a space for conversations and a chance to connect, inspire, and strengthen the collective impact of youth work across Ireland.
Objectives:
Shape the future of practice by developing a clear federal model for each CoP
Deepen critical social education skills to empower young people, develop the capacity for critical thinking and engagement with social issues, democratic action through art and creativity.
Reflect and plan strategically by reviewing the Youth Work Ireland Strategic Plan, identifying future advocacy, training, and resource needs.
Activities to complete
Complete the following activities, earn badges and you will see your playlist progress updated
Content
Join Lisa Cannon (Youth Work Ireland Galway) and Christina Fitzharris (Youth Work Ireland) for a practical session on working in neurodiverse spaces. Explore what it means to be neuro-affirmative — moving beyond deficit-based approaches to celebrate neurodivergent identities, adapt language with respect, and strengthen inclusive youth work practice.
From labels to liberation — learn how to be truly neuro-affirmative!
Being neuro-affirmative means moving beyond deficit-based approaches and instead recognising, respecting, and celebrating neurodivergent culture and identities. It’s about supporting needs and challenges without pathologising difference — and ensuring that young people feel seen, heard, and valued for who they are.
Through shared insights, strategies, and practical examples, this workshop will:
- Highlight the principles of neuro-affirmative practice.
- Explore the evolving language around neurodiversity and why it matters.
- Provide tools for communicating respectfully and inclusively, based on how individuals choose to identify.
- Offer space for reflection on how these approaches can strengthen broader youth work practice.
As language and understanding continue to evolve, so too must our practice. This session invites participants to learn, reflect, and adapt, ensuring youth work remains inclusive, respectful, and empowering for neurodivergent young people.
Get activity badge
Neuro-Affirmative Youth Work Get this badge
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Grasp the core principles of neuro-affirmative practice — moving from “fixing” to celebrating difference.
- Understand and apply evolving neurodiversity language — using words that empower and respect identity.
- Gain practical tools for inclusive communication — supporting young people to define themselves on their own terms.
- Reflect on their own practice — discovering how neuro-affirmative approaches can transform and strengthen everyday youth work.
- Leave inspired and equipped — ready to create spaces where neurodivergent young people are truly seen, heard, and valued.
Tasks
Task no.1
Issued by organiser or scanning QR code
What were your key takeaways from today's session?
Skills
ETS-TR
#Supporting learners in developing critical thinking
ETS-TR
#Is comfortable with addressing and applying the principles of non-formal learning when designing a programme with a particular focus on ‘learner-centeredness’, ‘transparency’, ‘democratic values’, ‘participation’ and ‘social transformation’
ESCO
#creative thinking
ESCO
#build a helping relationship with service users
ETS-TR
#Demonstrates an understanding of the values and key principles of non-formal learning
ESCO
#promote youth work in communities
Activities: 6
Started: 25
Completed playlist: 4
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Organisers
Youth Work Ireland
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