Youth
Youth Activities
Luton Irish Forum’s Youth Team have offered school holiday camps for children ages 6-10. Camps ran in August, October and February. As a charity we recognise the importance of affordable childcare and activities for school holidays and because of this we kept costs at a minimum. Our camps ran from 9am-3pm and included lunch and all activities for £10 per day, or free for families in receipt of free school meals.
Activities on offer included:
Irish sports - eg. Gaelic football, Irish dancing, hurling and boxing
Enrichment – Heritage sessions, storytelling and drama workshops
Arts and crafts - loom bands, bracelet making.
Other activities included talent shows, movies, board games, discos, table tennis, football tournaments, face painting and more!
We have been lucky to collaborate with other local businesses such as Boxing Saves Lives, Herts GAA, Luton Irish Dancing, Halloween History and Story Telling, St Colman’s Hurling Club and Claddagh Gaels.
This has meant that the children have had the chance to try something new and can be linked with local clubs beyond the camps.
Christmas Fun Day
Our first Christmas Fun Day in 2025 was packed with crafts, games, treats, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa. Keep an eye on our socials for the next one. The whole family is welcome to attend, or children ages 6-10 can stay with staff to enjoy the fun.
Bookings fill fast — first come, first served.
Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller Youth Groups
We are very proud to be one of the only spaces offering weekly youth group sessions specifically aimed at engaging Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller children and young people. It is important that young people from all cultures and backgrounds have a space where they feel they belong and their views and understood.
Our youth team run sessions with young people from these communities twice a week offering creative opportunities and well-being sessions.
This includes cooking, baking, seasonal activities, boxing, taster maths and English, theory test practice, beauty and more.
If you would like to know more or have a young person who is interested in joining, please contact us 01582 720447 or by email: Youth@lutonirishforum.org
Gypsy and Traveller School’s Workshops
Our youth programme co-ordinator Angel and youth worker apprentice Orla have been attending schools to support Gypsy and Traveller children that are finding mainstream education challenging at times. This includes running cultural workshops and projects to help young people feel included and respected. We also can offer 1:1 or small group mentoring sessions for young people that require additional support.
Workshops cover lifestyle, accommodation, faith, cultural values, music, common occupations and lots more. The project aims to provide a space for young people to have a voice in schools and share what is important to them. The desired outcome of the workshops is that the children and young people from these communities feel considered in school. Providing an opportunity for teaching staff and students to learn about their culture and communities. We work with schools to produce a display created by the children or an assembly where the rest of the school and families can see the work done over the term.
If you would like to know more or are interested in us supporting at your school please contact us by email: Youth@lutonirishforum.org
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Cultural Awareness
Our Youth Cultural Advocate Alanna has curated a Cultural Awareness training targeted at school staff, GP practices and other organisations. This training was designed by a young person with lived experience and is delivered by 2 young people who are Romani Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller.
It covers:
The differences are between the 3 different community groups.
Cultural values and lifestyle, including common occupations, accommodation, views and beliefs.
How these marginalised communities are disadvantaged in education, health care and the impacts of racism and hate crime.
Solutions to existing issues.
Through the use of videos, story-telling, images, statistics and an interactive quiz.
The purpose of the training is to educate people about Gypsies, Roma people and Travellers and offer solutions to already existing issues in education, health care and wider society.
This is free for schools in Luton and will incur a cost for surrounding areas. Cultural awareness training can be offered as staff training and can be delivered in person or online.
Assemblies for schools can be booked for children and young people to get the opportunity to learn about these communities and challenge misconceptions. With Q&A workshops to follow in classrooms.
To book a Cultural Awareness Training for your school, Service or Organisation please contact Youth@lutonirishforum.org
School’s Engagements
The youth team regularly attend schools in Luton for:
Culture days – this includes assembly, Irish food tasting, Irish dancing, Line dancing, Gaelic football taster sessions, Arts and crafts and more.
St Patrick’s assemblies and art workshops – education for young people about the history of St Patrick and how he is remembered and commemorated.
We offer a 6-week art project where our team come in and create art pieces that the children can design and wear for our St Patrick’s Festival.
Gaelic football taster sessions – We attend local schools to teach the basic skills of Gaelic football. The session includes learning skills such as hand passing, kicking, soloing, defending. Giving young people the opportunity to learn new skills. These sessions can be adapted to suit all ages and is open to all abilities.
Sports days – We help to support local schools during their sports days by helping to organise and facilitate races and activities. Our youth team can work alongside your school staff to help deliver a dynamic and fun sports day.
Gaelic Football
Our youth team are all trained Gaelic football coaches with their 3 strands.
This includes
Safeguarding
Enhanced DBS check and coaching level 1 qualification.
Youth worker apprentice Orla also plays for local women’s team Claddagh Gaels and has represented Hertfordshire in competitions. We attend local schools to deliver GAA enrichment sessions. This can be booked over a half term to trial or for the full school year.
The youth team frequently attend GAA events throughout the year including the All Britain Championships (ABC’s), All Herts Competition, Claddagh Gaels Club Day, St Vincent’s GAA Summer Camp and the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps.
If you would like to book us for your school or for our team to attend your GAA event contact: Youth@lutonirishforum.org
Community Events and Collaborations
We love working with local groups and charities to bring exciting opportunities to young people. We’ve collaborated with organisations such as Boxing Saves Lives, GATE Herts, Traveller Movement, Roma Trust, The Feast, Luton Borough Council, Luton Fire Station, Level Trust, Mary Seacole, Luton Women’s Centre and many more.
To collaborate: Youth@lutonirishforum.org
Youth Volunteering (ages 16+)
Want experience? Want to help your community? Want something great for your CV or college application?
We offer volunteering and work experience in:
• Social activity groups (Bingo, Gentle Exercise, Tea & Chat, Crafty Cuppa, Art Classes, Baby & Toddler, Internet Café, Line Dancing, Pilates)
• School holiday camps
• Community events like the St Patrick’s VIP Breakfast, Luton Irish Forum’s AGM,
Young volunteers can access free GAA coaching training through Herts GAA, with real pathways into paid work.
“We are very proud that 5 of our young volunteers are now fully qualified GAA football coaches.”
For more information about volunteering opportunities please contact: Youth@lutonirishforum.org