Youthreach

Youthreach is a full-time programme for young people, aged 16 to 20, who have left school early and are not working.  Learners are supported in setting individual learning plans aimed at increasing their self-esteem, skills and ability to get a job.

Youthreach Centre's nationwide are looking for ways to increase their involvement in STEM-related learning programmes and expose their young learners to new STEM experiences. Many Youthreach Centre’s around Dublin and Ireland also already have access to 3D printing equipment, however in many cases the technology is underutilised, and staff lack the experience and confidence to use the printers in their Centre activities.

Since early 2024, I-Form has been helping to bridge this gap by offering its knowledge and expertise in 3D printing to support several Youthreach Centre’s across Ireland. I-Form is working closely with Youthreach Centre's to deliver staff training programmes, student competitions and technical printer support. 

Precious Plastic Dublin, part of the Precious Plastic global movement, is also a key partner in this programme. They have been working with the Ballymun Youthreach Centre for several years to develop a community-based recycling hub at the Centre, but have so far been unable to implement an ongoing operation. With I-Form support, the plan is to create a community-based STEM learning space within the Ballymun Centre, focused on sustainable manufacturing using 3D printing, recycling and repair. Once up and running, it will be the first community-based 3D printing/recycling facility of its kind in Ireland.

Irish Wheelchair Association

I-Form has also previously partnered with the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) and their members on a journey into creating their own assistive devices.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, I-Form worked with staff and service users at the Clontarf branch of the IWA to support activities in the area of 3D printing, providing them with a means of quickly and easily creating bespoke objects and complex shapes.

I-Form also provided advice to the IWA on sourcing their own 3D printer, and later supported its installation at the centre. To ensure the machine would provide maximum benefit to the centre, I-Form organised and delivered a series of bespoke training modules for the staff members. Then a series of training evenings for youth members was co-created and co-delivered in partnership with the IWA’s Youth Service Support Worker staff.

Youth members learnt the basics of 3D design and printing, including how to design simple objects, tips for improving design, and how to find interesting projects to work on. Members of the I-Form research team also demonstrated a 3D printed wheelchair cushion – the output from a research project at UCD which investigated the feasibility of printing individually customised wheelchair seats for wheelchair users. 

The IWA young members expressed enthusiasm for continuing their 3D printing journey and for designing and making their own assistive devices for use in their daily lives.