Rio 2016: Olympics-inspired events at Carrickfergus YMCA

The youth charity, which supports over 300 people, is one of 15 across Great Britain to have signed up as a partner to the Get Set for Community Action scheme.

This will see teams running projects in the lead up to the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In total, 10 young people within Carrick will be encouraged to use the inspiration of the movements to shape projects.

Carrick YMCA Health Hub will run events in partnership with both Senior Gateway and One Irish gate. The first will be an interactive Olympic-style evening on April 20 with activities that suit the needs of all the adults that attend. There will also be a tropical bar (soft drinks only) and live music.

The second event at the beginning of August will see the young people competing against residents in Boccia. They will run an Olympic-themed quiz and an old school dance-off too.

Ivor Mitchell, General Secretary Carrick YMCA, said: “ We believe in the power of communities and the potential for young people to positively contribute to their local neighbourhoods.

“Health and Wellbeing is one of five key service areas for YMCA and, through Get Set for Community Action, we will be able to work with yet more young people, offering more development and volunteering opportunities for them to belong, contribute and thrive.”

Created by the British Olympic Foundation and British Paralympic Association, the scheme is supported by the Big Lottery Fund.

To find out more about YMCA Carrickfergus, visit www.carrickymca.org

To find out more about Get Set for Community Action visit www.getsetaction.org.uk