McDonald’s partner with Irish Youth Foundation to support youth with new initiative

McDonald’s UK & Ireland has launched its nationwide Makin’ It initiative, a programme that provides young people with genuine opportunity in the areas in which they live. 

Despite a fall in the number of 15-24s in Ireland not in employment, education or training (NEET) since post Covid-19 highs, tackling the issue remains a key priority.

Over the last 18 months, the country’s biggest private sector youth employer, McDonald’s, has been piloting the Makin’ It programme in Ireland in partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation and 10 local youth projects. 

To date, 4,898 young people aged 15-24 have been supported directly, with 42 youth workers also supported in their work with young people nationally and 50 volunteer mentors engaged in programmes across Ireland. 

The pilots have also provided access to welcoming and safe spaces for young people  in restaurants, and trusted adult support through connections with youth workers and youth projects specifically matched to local restaurants and franchisees.  

Musician AJ Tracey, who got his start in a youth project, is one of the ambassadors for the initiative. AJ voices a hard-hitting spoken word film to launch Makin’ it, calling out the hardships many young people face and the pivotal role youth workers can play in their lives, through offering invaluable advice, guidance, and mentorship, as well as connecting them with opportunities in their local area.

Makin’ it has already made a meaningful impact to young people’s lives, with an 18-month pilot phase, opening doors for young people in restaurants in towns across Ireland and the UK.  More than 70 restaurants were paired with local youth projects and youth workers, giving young people in these communities a safe place to seek support. These restaurants are now facilitating regular drop-in sessions, workshops, training and informal meetings for youth workers and young people. 

McDonald’s has committed to providing resource and funding to enable all young people to get access to genuine opportunities where they live, including music partnerships and sports programmes to be launched this Summer. 

McDonald’s UK & Ireland vice president impact, Andrew Moys explained why the company has been investing in this groundbreaking initiative.

“It’s no secret that young people today are facing some incredibly challenging times, particularly when it comes to accessing trusted adult support and opportunities. Over the last 18 months we’ve seen first-hand the difference that can be made through connecting our restaurants directly with youth services and youth workers. Young people, who often have nowhere to go and no one to speak to can now access the support they need, in an environment they feel comfortable in. 

“The scale of our restaurant estate and dedication of our 200 franchisees in communities across the UK and Ireland, mean we have the ability to make a real impact on the lives of young people. ‘Makin It’ is about frontline change –  it is  youth work embedded into that specific local area,  it is access to warm, welcoming spaces that young people know and ultimately it provides tangible, local opportunities that will help young people to make it. ”

Lucy Masterson, CEO of the Irish Youth Foundation commented: “The issues of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) – many of whom are early school leavers and come from jobless households remains a key concern for the Irish Youth Foundation.  McDonald’s support has already been critical in helping  almost 5,000 young people to gain the skills necessary to maximise meaningful employment and training opportunities. We look forward to continuing what has become a hugely important and valued partnership with McDonald’s in Ireland through the Makin’ It programme.”