No Name Clubs: Helping Cork teenagers navigate modern life
Nevertheless, when the 17-year-old from St Joseph's No Name Club in Cork's Mayfield saw one of his pals on stage at the organisation's annual Youth Awards in 2024, he turned to his leaders and said, 'I want to do this next year. I feel like I could do it'.
Jake Costen pictured at the St. Joseph's No Name club in Mayfield. Picture Chani Anderson
Costin was subsequently nominated by his club members to represent them at the 2025 awards, and in the space of that year, such was his growth in confidence and ability that he went on to win Host of the Year at this year's event, an accolade awarded yearly to two No Name Club members who have made an outstanding contribution to their club and local community.
'As soon as I said 'I'm putting my name forward', [my No Name] leaders and my peers were giving me advice and helping me,' says Costin, whose prize is a three-year college scholarship and a trip to Croatia in July to represent No Name Club through the Erasmus+ programme.
He says that being a member of No Name is 'massively enjoyable' and 'a huge confidence booster', and recent research has shown just what a valuable resource the youth-led, volunteer-supported social clubs are for young teenagers as they navigate the difficulties of 21st century life.
Jake McCarthy and Emily O'Brien pictured playing games at the St. Joseph's No Name club in Mayfield. Picture Chani Anderson
The research, conducted by No Name over several months of last year, drew on surveys and focus groups with members, volunteers, staff, and board members, and compared findings with national data relating to the same demographic as No Name membership (15 to 18-year-olds). A whopping 93% of members reported increased confidence and self-esteem, while 81% said that their mental well-being had improved from being part of No Name.
Olivia Meade and Jake Costen pictured playing bingo at the St. Joseph's No Name club in Mayfield. Picture Chani Anderson
In contrast, a 2021 study of 4,400 Irish teenagers conducted by researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, found that more than 29% of the adolescents described their mental health as 'bad' or 'very bad'. No Name Club, which was founded in 1978, is clearly doing something right.
The organisation's ethos has always been to help safeguard young people's 'right to enjoy life, feel respected, and to mature without a reliance on alcohol and other drugs'. Having such boundaries seems to be a key factor in its success, with 96% of members feeling reduced peer or societal pressure to use alcohol or other substances.
WATCHING THE GROWTH
Natasha Walshe organises the games for a group of teenagers at the St. Joseph's No Name club in Mayfield. Picture Chani Anderson
Natasha Walshe, now 30 joined St Joseph's No Name Club in 2011, when she was in transition year.
'I went up on a Monday night and brought a couple of friends. It was great because it was really whatever we needed at the time. We went on outings or had activities like boot camp. Then, when we were in sixth year, sometimes we just went up and had the space to do our homework; it wasn't like a homework club, but that's what we needed at the time and that's what they gave us the space to do. I think that's a real example of the youth-led part of the organisation. It's whatever you need it to be on a given night.'
Walshe has had various roles in the club since she 'aged out', and, in addition to being a volunteer and the secretary of St Joseph's, she serves as a board member of the national organisation.
Emily O'Brien pictured at the St. Joseph's No Name club in Mayfield. Picture Chani Anderson
What has kept her invested for so long is, she says, 'tradition and change', citing the recent Youth Awards as an example: 'There's always that bit of tradition, and a lot of things are still the same, but it's always changing; there are always interesting new young people to see on stage. So while the core of the No Name Club stays the same, each year is different. Each group brings something different. But everything is rooted in that ethos of positive social events without alcohol and drugs.'
For Walshe, volunteering is a life-affirming, enriching experience.
'Watching the growth of the young people is unbelievable,' she says. 'In my club, in the Youth Council, they have so many good ideas and such a positive attitude. Their enthusiasm really rubs off on you.'
Jake McCarthy pictured at the St. Joseph's No Name club in Mayfield. Picture Chani Anderson
Given the hugely positive findings of the recent research, what does she think is key to No Name fostering such confidence, self-esteem and community in its members?
'A big part of it is we take everybody as they are. If you're coming to us and you're already a confident person and ready to be up on stage and are just raring to perform, we have the space for that. But if you're a quieter person, less outgoing, you're treated the same, first of all. But you are met where you are.'
Ewan Stockley pictured at the St. Joseph's No Name club in Mayfield. Picture Chani Anderson
No Name is a safe space for all young people.
'Whether it is people who are part of the LGBTQI+ community or people from disadvantaged areas or people living with disabilities. We're not one-size-fits-all all. We're very much everybody can come to us, and I think that's very important.'
No Name Club board member Edith Geraghty's first involvement with the organisation was in the early 2000s, when she and her late husband Seamus set up Erris No Name Club in Belmullet, Co Mayo. She taught drama and her teenage students were bemoaning the lack of a place 'to hang out'. The club is still thriving today, while Geraghty has since had various roles within the organisation.
MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
Part of the reason for No Name's longevity, she believes, is down to its ability to evolve and pivot to meet the requirements of its members.
'For example, consent. It was a big thing that was coming up, so we sent our staff to train with the National Youth Council of Ireland on consent so that they could then deliver that best practice back into the club. If anything comes up like that, we're able to pivot and meet it in terms of training.'
The training No Name offers is never finger-wagging, but rather seeks to educate and empower.
'As teenagers, they're at that time in life when they want their peers and they need a peer group,' says Geraghty. 'There's also an assumption that we break down, which is that everybody is drinking. When you actually sit down and talk to teenagers, they're not, but they think all the others are. [The club] gives them a peer group, so when they go out and socialise they're able to say 'no, we're not drinking tonight. We're in the No Name Club'. And that's extremely valuable. And once they get the confidence that brings, it tends to stay with them.'
Jake Costen and Olivia Meade pictured at the St. Joseph's No Name club in Mayfield. Picture Chani Anderson
The research found No Name members out-performed the national average on several key metrics, from well-being to alcohol and drug misuse. For example, 54% of 17/18-year-olds reported they aren't drinking alcohol compared to the national average of 18%; while 96% of all club members stated they aren't engaging in substance misuse.
'We put the structure in place. We put the boundaries in place, they know what they can and cannot do,' says Geraghty. 'But within that space, they get to make all the decisions. They get to choose what they want to do.'
Three years ago, Geraghty became grievously ill. While in hospital, and being told she 'wouldn't make it', she was Zoomed, FaceTimed, and visited by all the young people she'd known in Erris No Name Club, as well as all those she'd met travelling to clubs countrywide as a No Name development officer.
'They came to see me and to tell me that under no circumstances was I to die. It's not often you get a chance to realise that you've had an impact.
'It was such a marvellous, life-affirming thing for them to do.'
A few months after she finally left hospital, Geraghty, who lives with severe complications from her illness, took up a seat on the No Name board.
'I have never missed an event since. The organisation has wrapped itself around me. They have gone above and beyond. The support that they've given me has been absolutely outstanding. I always describe No Name Club as a family and that's what we are.'
See www.nonameclub.ie
Cobh No Name Club is currently looking for a venue. If you can help, please email admin@nonameclub.ie.
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