About Engage
From workshops, seminars and community projects to one to one therapeutic mentoring and individually tailored support packages, Engage will always find the right way to support and motivate people to succeed.
Bespoke programmes, responsive support
We create bespoke programmes to suit a wide range of individuals from children and young people, long term unemployed, youth work professionals, parents and carers, to budding social entrepreneurs seeking support and advice to bring their ideas to life.
Engage fills the gap between a referral and a service that has capacity. We are small enough to start quickly, local enough to meet a young person where they live, and experienced enough that professionals can hand over without briefing us from scratch.
Our current goals include:
- Advocacy and exchange centre for information and access to local support services
- Provider of Youth Support Services (see projects) including group and one to one support and training
- Provider / coordinator of support services and sessions for community groups, vulnerable groups e.g. young parents, gay and lesbian, young men and women's support groups etc
- Helping local communities to establish a regular "Community Elders Meeting" inviting local people across the spectrum of influence in their community, and also inviting local police, community workers, officials etc. These meetings provide open discussion focusing on support, resolving community issues and sharing information.
A team built around commitment to young people
Engage was founded by Mark McCready, Therapist, Trainer and Foster Carer, who has a wealth of experience working across the Youth, Community, Education and Arts sectors and has developed innovative and engaging skills and techniques to motivate and empower people. Engage also consists of Youth and Education professionals who sit on the management committee, and/or offer training and support through Engage's services and projects. We also have (and are seeking) Volunteers and freelance Project Workers who share Engage's commitment to the education and empowerment of communities.
What you can do for us
We are building the team around Mark's practice and we are recruiting: trainers, volunteers and committee members. If you work in youth, education or social care in County Down and can give a few hours a month, we would like to hear from you. Please get in touch.
LOW RESOLUTION · PROPER PORTRAIT NEEDED
BA(hons) Ed Drama, QTS, Dip Hyp, LHS, MiFL, Clinical Therapist, Dramatist, Teacher/Trainer
LinkedIn profile LINK TO CONFIRM
Mark McCready
Mark has over 30 years of experience working professionally in youth, education, theatre, psychotherapy and social sectors and is an experienced Foster Carer providing therapeutic placements for traumatised children. He has developed an extensive tool kit of skills and techniques which have enabled him to deliver effective workshop and training seminars on a wide range of issues and subjects. He has integrated his wide ranging expertise into a seamless mix of entertaining exercises and tasks which contain embedded developmental strategies, designed to enhance skills and tackle issues.
Mark works from the principle that everyone has the innate abilities within to heal and overcome most of life's difficulties and problems, becoming self empowered to achieve beyond their dreams and expectations. All that is required is the correct knowledge and understanding of the nature of mind and body and how they function in response to learnt experiences; to recognise patterns which hamper progress, and replace them with processes that enable rapid healing and growth.
The core methodology is drawn together from Mark's knowledge, keen interest and continuing professional development in areas of pedagogy, positive social-psychology, physiology, applied theatre, and hypnotherapy. New discoveries and forgotten techniques are woven together along with solid common sense methods to create a holistic and comprehensive approach for dealing with almost all of life's issues and challenges. All are presented in engaging, informative and jargon free seminars, workshops and presentations which are specially designed to reduce boredom and information overload, and maximise fun and in turn retention of information and learning.
Over years of working with young to old, unskilled to professional, Mark has developed and honed his highly effective and creative motivational and therapeutic techniques. From solving problems, dissolving barriers and finding new approaches in work and play, at home, school, with friends, clients, customers and colleagues alike, these techniques can be learnt and used by all across every aspect of life to make immediate, positive changes.
Mark's past projects and achievements
Artistic Director, Course Leader and Lecturer: TEMPA
Tutoring, teaching, directing and creating theatre with young people 16+ at all levels, from those with learning difficulties to the talented and gifted. At TEMPA Mark successfully produced and directed six annual plays performed at the Theatre Royal's Youth Theatre, The Egg.
Founder and Project Director: Creative Co-Operation
An adult and youth training organisation working on social issues, co-operation and team-building, which provided the foundation for Co-Create.
Strong Minds Advocate: the Foyer Federation
Working 1-2-1 and with groups of 18–25 year olds. Raising awareness and providing support with mental health issues and developing life skills and strategies.
Film Director and Project Facilitator: Campaign for Learning and The Roman Baths Museum
A project funded by the National Heritage Lottery fund working with a group of teenagers to create a short film for use in training museum staff on how to deal with young people.
Co-Founder and Project Director: Modern Artists Co-operative
An Arts focused not-for-profit organisation funded by the Peace and Reconciliation Programme. Based in Northern Ireland and working on conflict resolution and explorations of cultural traditions with young people from both sides of the sectarian divide.
Founder, Director and Lead Facilitator: Brick Theatre Company
A youth drama group based in Cardiff, Wales, all ages, with general acting skills and social issues based drama.
Promotional Photographer and Photography Tutor: YMCA Greater Boston, Wolfsboro, USA
Youth Summer Camps including B&W print and processing, ages 9–14, from all over USA, Canada and Mexico.
Founder and Lead Facilitator: Newcastle Drama Workshops
A youth drama group based in Newcastle, Northern Ireland, tackling social and cross community issues.
See what people say about working with us
Feedback from organisations and workshop participants who have worked with Engage.