Youth Venture Project

Youth Venture Project is run by a team of volunteers who act as expedition leaders and each hold a position on our board. Our team’s civilian backgrounds included working as special needs assistants, coaching youth sports clubs, instructing on survival courses, and working with groups such as Youthreach, NCBI and NIID. The team’s civilian careers as Fire fighters, Lecturers, and Teachers, contribute further to the skills required to work with young people.

Leaders / Board members are elected every year at the Annual General Meeting from YVP's pool of volunteers. Our current leaders and their roles on our board are:

• Paul O'Toole - Chairperson
• Éamonn Linehan - Secretary
• Michelle Cleary - Treasurer / Deputy Child Protection Officer
• Robbie Hedderman - Safety Officer
• Elaine Phelan - Child Protection Officer

Mr. Paul O'Toole (Chairperson)

	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
	Paul has been a member of the Reserve Defence Forces for the past thirteen years and currently holds the rank of Sergeant. He is responsible for the training and welfare of up to 30 recruit soldiers both in barracks and out in the field. In civilian life, he is a Firefighter and Paramedic with Dublin Fire Brigade. Through his job, he has also qualified as a Swift Water Rescue Technician and Rope Rescue Technician which makes him a very skilled member of the team. Paul has also been involved in voluntary work supporting young people with special needs in their pursuit of employment.

Dr. Éamonn Linehan (Secretary)

	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
	Éamonn has 10 years experience in the Reserve Defence Forces. He has undertaken numerous courses, including training on communications, instruction, leadership, navigation, administration, human resource management, first-aid, field-craft and survival. He currently holds the rank of sergeant. In civilian life Éamonn is a postdoctoral researcher in Trinity College Dublin where he lectures on postgraduate courses in the computer science department. Éamonn is active in the Mountain Biking Association of Dublin and competes in a number of athlethics events annually.

Ms. Michelle Cleary (Treasurer / Deputy Child Protection Officer)

	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
	Michelle has 7 years experience in the Reserve Defence Forces, 4 of which she has served in the rank of Corporal/Training instructor. She has coached various youth sports clubs including Goalball with Irish Blind Sports and Junior Basketball at Post Primary level. She is currently employed as a Special Needs Assistant, where she works with young people with diverse needs. She previously worked with groups such as Youthreach, NCBI and NIID as an Employment and Personal Development facilitator. She is a competent Occupational First Aider and is qualified in Sports therapy and Massage.

Mr. Robert Hedderman (Safety Officer)

	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
	Robbie has been a member of the Reserve Defence Forces for the past seven years. For the past four years of which, he has held the rank of Corporal. He is a Firefighter and Paramedic with Dublin Fire Brigade. Through his job, he has completed many courses including Swift Water Rescue Technician, International Trauma Life Support and Height Rescue. Robbie has also a background in martial arts and is a qualified brown belt in Shotokan Karate.

Elaine Phelan (Child Protection Officer)

	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
	Elaine works as a Primary School teacher. She has been a member of the Reserve Defence Forces for 16 years. She currently holds the rank of Lieutenant and is a Platoon Commander. Elaine has competed in and coached various sports to a high level. She holds A National Certificate in Exercise & Fitness. Elaine was involved in the co-ordination & organisation of the European Military Conference & World Military Boxing Competition hosted by Ireland. She has previously instructed on survival courses.