Welcome to Galway Diocesan Youth Services (GDYS)
Galway Diocesan Youth Services was founded in the late 70's by the Augustinian order, to respond to the needs of homeless and marginalised young people at that time. The Augustinians have continued their involvement with the Organisation and have a representative on the voluntary board of directors. The ethos of GDYS has always been to identify and meet the needs of families and young people in the community.
GDYS initially opened a Drop in Centre at No 4 St Augustine and developed services over the years to include Community Training Workshops (later handed over to FAS), Residential Hostels for homeless young people (later handed over to HSE West), an After School Activity Club and a Youth Information Centre.
Today, GDYS manages three projects in Galway City: No 4 Drop in Centre, Mol an Oige After School Activity Club, and Galway Youth Information Centre. We employ a staff of 20 including 11 Community Employment Scheme Staff.
GDYS is a network of support services that aims to enhance the quality of young peoples lives, providing an effective and holistic response to a wide variety of issues pertaining to young people between the ages of 6 and 25 years
GDYS is funded by the Department of Education and Science under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme and Youth Information Fund under the aegis of City of Galway VEC. GDYS receives additional funding from The Diocesan Office and receives occasional funding on foot of grant applicatio ns from HSE West, Dormant Accounts, AIB better Ireland Programme. Seirbhisi na nOg is registered as a Limited Company, Registered office: Galway, Certificate Number 195622. Seirbhisi na nOg has charitable status and its Charity No. is 10805.
No 4 Drop in Centre
Tagaste House - known locally as No 4- is based at St Augustine Street. The Drop in Centre was established to provide a welcoming space for marginalised young people between 15 and 25 years of age. No 4 is a crisis intervention Centre that offers basic human needs such as a warm place, a hot meal and showering facilities. In addition to catering for the daytime needs of homeless young people the Centre also offers a range of ongoing services and programmes aimed at supporting and encouraging young people while they get their lives back on track. Read More >>
The personal achievements of the people who use our service are not easily quantified. For some it is being able to find accommodation and learning to cook, clean and manage their finances for themselves, while for another person it might be to return to education or find permanent employment. Read More >>
Youth Information Centre
Galway youth Information Centre is based in Ozanam House , St Augustine St. YIC provides information on a range of different subjects relevent to young people by e mail, telephone or in person. We also provide an outreach service to local schools and libraries, third level institutions and any other venues where young people meet. In an everchanging world young people face more challenges and pressures. To be able to make informed decisions about their lives they need access to be able to access information and obtain support from experienced staff. Read More >>
Mol an Oige
Mol an Oige is an after school activity club for young people between 7 and 12 years of age. We have a school collection service from a number of Primary Schools in and around the City.
We provide a safe and supportive enviroment where young people have access to resources and activities that will help them develop the social and life skills necessary to become active and responsible in their own communities. Read More >>
Easter Camps
Over the Easter break we will be running our very popular camps Read more>>
