SWAY Youth Diversion Project (Sacred Heart and Dunmore Road Neighbourhoods)

Description

The SWAY Youth Diversion Project provides a service to the Sacred Heart and Dunmore Road neighbourhoods of Waterford City. We are a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative. We work with young people between the ages of 12 and 17 who have become involved in crime/anti-social behaviour, and we support preventative work within the community, and with families.

The purpose of our work is to meet each young person’s individual needs by engaging them in a process of learning and development that enables them to make positive lifestyle choices. We seek to provide participants with the life skills that help them to make healthier choices and desist from criminal and antisocial behaviour. We liaise with local agencies and community stakeholders to assess and respond to presenting needs, while keeping young people at the centre of our work.

Referrals are primarily received from the Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer, however parents/carers, schools and other agencies may refer if they feel the SWAY Project could be of benefit to a young person in our catchment area.  If anyone wishes to refer a young person they can contact the SWAY Project directly at either of the numbers above.