May brings a real sense of momentum across youth services longer evenings, outdoor activities, and renewed energy in communities. It is a month where youth work naturally becomes more active in parks, community spaces, events, and creative projects.
Across funded youth organisations and volunteer-led clubs, May is often about building connection, celebrating participation, and preparing for summer programmes, while continuing to support young people’s wellbeing, voice, and development.
This month reminds us that youth work is not just something that happens inside buildings it lives in communities, relationships, and shared experiences.
Youth Participation in Action
May is a strong month for youth-led planning and decision-making. Many youth groups begin shaping summer programmes, activities, and youth-led events giving young people real ownership over what happens next.
Youth participation in this stage helps young people:
Lead ideas and planning
Work as part of a team
Develop confidence and communication skills
Influence decisions that affect them
Feel a stronger sense of belonging
When young people are involved early, the outcomes are more engaging, inclusive, and meaningful.
Volunteering, Leadership & Community Energy
Volunteers continue to play a vital role across youth clubs and services during May. From supporting weekly sessions to helping organise events and community activities, volunteers help keep youth spaces active, welcoming, and safe.
May is also a time where many organisations begin recruiting or preparing volunteers for summer programmes, which often include:
Camps and activity weeks
Outdoor and sports programmes
Arts, music, and creative projects
Youth exchanges and community events
As part of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY2026), this month is another opportunity to recognise the impact volunteers have in shaping positive youth experiences.
Awareness Days That Connect to Youth Work Practice
May includes several key awareness dates that connect strongly to youth wellbeing, inclusion, and development:
- World Press Freedom Day (3 May): Supporting critical thinking, media awareness, and youth voice in a digital world.
- International Day of Families (15 May): Recognising the role of family, carers, and support networks in young people’s lives.
- International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (17 May): Promoting inclusion, safety, and respect for LGBTQ+ young people.
- World Cultural Diversity Day (21 May): Celebrating inclusion, intercultural understanding, and community connection.
- World No Tobacco Day (31 May): Supporting health awareness and positive lifestyle choices for young people.
These days offer meaningful opportunities for youth organisations to run discussions, creative workshops, campaigns, and peer-led activities that encourage reflection and awareness.
Creativity, Outdoor Learning & Wellbeing
With better weather and longer days, May is a natural time for outdoor youth work and creative engagement. Many groups move activities outside using parks, sports spaces, and community areas to support wellbeing and connection.
Outdoor and creative youth work can support:
Mental wellbeing
Social connection
Confidence building
Physical activity
Positive relationships
Whether it’s sport, music, art, environmental action, or just time together outdoors, these experiences are central to youth development.
Looking Ahead to Summer
May is also a key planning month across funded organisations and volunteer-led clubs. Teams are preparing for:
Summer programmes
Youth trips and residentials
Community events and festivals
Volunteer recruitment and training
Youth-led projects and campaigns
Involving young people in this planning ensures summer activities are relevant, inclusive, and shaped by real youth voice.
Final Thoughts
May is a month of energy, creativity, and connection. It reflects the heart of youth work relationships, participation, inclusion, and opportunity.
Across Dublin, youth workers, volunteers, and young people continue to build spaces where everyone can belong, contribute, and grow.
As we move deeper into 2026, May reminds us that youth work is always evolving shaped by the seasons, the communities we serve, and most importantly, the young people at the centre of it all.
Stronger connections. Brighter ideas. Shared opportunities.That’s youth work in action.
From all of us at City of Dublin Youth Services 🌷🌸☀️🌱
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