Gary Symington (Manager)

Gary has been with the Training for Life Project since its inception and was employed with the USDCL in 1997. Initially employed as the Young Mens Project Coordinator, Gary became manager of the project in 2000. Previous to his appointment with Training for Life, Gary was a peer educator with the Young Peoples Health Project, and a project worker with the Halt Car Crime Project. He graduated from the University of Ulster (UUJ) in 2001 with a professional youth work qualification, and continues to have a keen interest in mountaineering. Gary is the designated child protection officer for the USDCL.

Dee Burns (Youth Support Worker)

Dee started as a peer educator with Training for Life in 2005. He came to the project with a vast background in voluntary youth work and soccer coaching. Currently employed as a Youth Support Worker, Dee has been instrumental in creating new & innovative programmes. He gained his professional youth work qualification in 2008 from the UUJ, and is currently back completing the BSc in Community Youth Work.

Orliath Mac Siacais (Youth Support Worker)

Orliath came to Training for Life in 2007. As a teenager, Orliath volunteered with the Springhill Youth Project. She then successfully completed Youth Action N.I.’s CLP programme. Orliath then coordinated the Yahoo Project, a sexual health project managed by the Ballymurphy Womens Centre. She graduated from UUJ in 2009 with a professional youth work qualification and is currently completing the BSc in Community Youth Work. She is chairperson of the Upper Springfield’s Got Talent Steering Committee.

Marty Kelly (Youth Support Worker)

Marty came to Training for Life on a student work experience placement from Corpus Christi College at the age of 16. Showing promise, Marty became a volunteer with TFL, helping to deliver group work programmes and support staff on weekend residentials. Marty then went on to work for Opportunity Youth for 5 years, based in the Hydebank Young Offenders Centre. Marty is currently at UUJ completing a foundation studies course in Community Development.