IRISH YOUTH FOUNDATION HISTORY

The Irish Youth Foundation (UK) is a voluntary charity set up in 1989 by a small group of Irish men and women who were concerned about the consequences of heavy, sustained emigration from Ireland to Britain. In the decade of the 1980’s tens of thousands of young Irish people came to Britain to seek a new and better future, but many of these were unprepared for life in a different culture and environment.

The IYF and its founders set out to raise money to support organisations and projects which aim to improve the lives of children and young Irish people under the age of 25 in both Britain and Northern Ireland who are socially, economically or culturally disadvantaged and assist them in leading a more integrated and fulfilling life. These projects provide help and support for the homeless, employment and training schemes, women and children escaping violence, young offenders and prisoners, drug rehabilitation, and cultural activities.

It is the only national charity in Britain specifically aimed at helping young Irish people and has raised £3.75 million – an average of £200,000 annually – since it started. The charity was honoured in 2000 when Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, agreed to become Patron. An independent Advisory Committee, using well-defined criteria, assesses grant applications on an annual basis and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees. In 2004 two special awards were inaugurated: the Innovation Award for the project judged to be the most innovative in addressing the changing needs of the young Irish community, and the Quality Award for outstanding achievement and excellence over time.

In the last few years, the Irish Youth Foundation (UK) and the Irish Youth Foundation (Ireland) have established a joint fund to provide support for community and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland, and a joint Advisory Committee to assess grant applications. A major innovation occurred in 2005 when the Lawlor Foundation chose the Irish Youth Foundation as its partner for the future, and on 30th June 2005 the IYF formally incorporated the Lawlor Foundation. The merger was seen as a natural fit as both organisations had similar aims and objectives.

The Lawlor Foundation was established in 1988 by Edward and Virginia Lawlor in memory of their son, Peter. Since inception the charity distributed over £2.2 million in grants to organisations working with troubled adolescents, projects underpinning the peace process, the relief of poverty and the advancement of education in Northern Ireland. Virginia Lawlor and Frank Baker, Lawlor Foundation trustees, joined the IYF Board and the merged organisation provided a new dynamic for the future, as well as additional funds, to help improve the lives and opportunities of young disadvantaged Irish people.

The IYF is aware of the changing needs of young Irish people in the United Kingdom. In particular, reduced emigration from Ireland is changing the structure of the Irish population. While there are still those arriving in Britain fleeing from difficult social and personal circumstances in Ireland, there is a renewed focus on the needs of the young second and third generation Irish people, born in Britain but with particular requirements.