Music, poetry, dance, artwork, and more – all created by YAP young people, families and advocates – were on display during YAP Ireland’s “My Voice, My Choice,” National Event held August 12th.

Highlighting the hard work and achievements of young people families and advocates is the purpose of YAP Ireland’s annual National Event held every year at Dublin’s Croke Park. Among the line-up was ‘The Yappuchinos’, a group of Dublin young people who learned to play instruments and sing together. There was also a song from the YAP Meath/Louth group, written with help from the creative writing organisation ‘Fighting Words.’

During the day’s events speakers from organisations such as TUSLA, MHC, the Ombudsman for Children, EPIC and many more gave speeches around the theme for the year, which highlighted the importance of young people’s decision making in all areas of their lives as well as using their voices to help achieve it.