‘Be Inspired! 25 Years of Friendship & Peace’ A Celebration of the Buddy Up! Initiative
The ‘Be Inspired! 25 Years of Friendship & Peace’ event, held in Cityside cinemas at Yorkgate in Belfast on 30 March 2023, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Buddy Up Initiative which started with Holy Cross and Edenderry Nursery Schools from North Belfast, inspired by the signing of the Good Friday/ Belfast Agreement.
Community Relations In Schools (CRIS) developed the Buddy Up Scheme to actively engage children, school staff, parents and carers in cross-community activities and relationships. Buddy Up builds the confidence of the individuals involved, encourages creative working, strengthens interpersonal skills, extends the school curriculum, and actively promotes peace-building by reducing fear and mistrust.
Actress and comedienne Nuala McKeever hosted the event, which showcased how Buddy Up has supported children, families, teachers and schools over 25 years. The event particularly honoured those from across the school community in North Belfast, whose passion and dedication have made Buddy Up a success.
The event was also used to launch the Buddy Up Digital Media Resource, an online tool to support schools implementing Buddy Up as an inter-school buddy system as part of their own partnership working.
The audience heard from pupils, teachers and parents about the positive impact the programme has had in building good relations within and across communities. The passion and support for the programme was evident and they encouraged any school invited onto to the programme to jump at the chance!
Director of Urban Villages Joan O’Hara congratulated everyone involved in the Buddy Up Initiative, commenting: “The Executive Office is delighted to see the launch of the Buddy Up digital media resource, a valuable tool for schools in implementing the inter-school buddy system. And many congratulations on Buddy Up’s 25th Anniversary. Particular mention should go to the two founding Nursery schools, Holy Cross and Edenderry, who paved the way for the programme in delivering the activities, relationships and fun which are at the heart of building good relations‘.
Urban Villages has supported CRIS over the last 4 years to deliver the Buddy Up programme areas across all 5 UV areas. To date 38 primary schools have been involved in 19 Buddy Up partnerships across a range of communities.
Creative Schools Partnership Programme Ambassador Events
The Creative Schools programme is one of the Urban Village Initiative’s highlights. Across the five UV areas it brings together creatives and students to redraw education in primary colours, to bring drama and excitement, noise and passion to school life, engaging pupils, parents and teachers in new ways of working. Recently it has been the students’ turn to get together to meet one another at Ambassador events and take workshops designed to share learning, teach new skills and build confidence through the arts.
Three Creative Schools Ambassador events were held at the end of March 2023 in Duncairn Arts Centre in North Belfast; at Linenhall Library in Belfast City Centre; and in Derry/Londonderry, facilitated by a range of artists.
The events brought together, for the first time in three years, some of the schools involved in the Creative Schools Partnership Programme. Apart from the students, what makes CSPP special is that it is a cross-government programme funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through National Lottery funding, the Education Authority and The Executive Office’s Urban Villages Initiative. Eleven post-primary schools located in the 5 Urban Village areas in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry are currently engaged in the programme which brings professional artists into the classroom to teach new skills, support educational learning and strengthen community connections.
Marie O’Donoghue, Creative Schools Partnership Programme Manager, commented: “These workshops were a brilliant opportunity for students to come together to meet and most importantly have some fun together by engaging in arts activities. We were delighted to be able to bring along to each session some of the artists responsible for delivering workshops in schools this year, to give pupils a flavour of the range of projects taking place within the wider programme.”
Reflecting on the benefits for students taking part in the Creative Schools Programme, Tanya Wakeley, Lead Teacher, St Cecilia’s College, said: “All our pupils have benefitted from this collaborative working process, as they navigated their own mental health journey after the recent pandemic lockdowns. The skills learnt across the last two years have been varied but phenomenal as they are completely transferable, not only across the curriculum, but for the world outside the classroom. Every pupil on the St Cecilia’s Creative Schools project has had the opportunity to improve their confidence, communication, and collaborative skills – learning by stealth is a valuable part of the creative process. Every pupil involved has, in their own words said, ‘my confidence improved because I was able to work with my friends’. This is testament to the whole ethos of the programme.”
Joan O’Hara, Director of Urban Villages & Infrastructure, commented: “Urban Villages brings a unique element to this partnership through inclusion of the wider community as a strand of programme design and development. Whilst they have engaged with their own communities as part of their respective projects, it’s fantastic to see the young people themselves being able to meet up & come together with some of the artists in a joint creative experience and to share with each other what they are doing through their respective programmes. Connecting people and creating networks is vital in strengthening school and community links; the learning gained through the wide range of projects delivered can only enhance the experience of the young people involved as they continue to promote and champion good relations within and across their communities”.
New Stained-Glass Window will celebrate Diversity at Malone College
Self-portraits created in stained glass by students from Malone Integrated College as part of a UV funded programme will soon go on display as a permanent fixture in the school.
The glass tiles, created by Year 9 and 10 students, under the guidance of visual artist Kerrie Hanna, will be forged together to create a colourful bespoke window made up of a series of individual panes.
The window is the final element of a special two-year project the students have been engaged in as part of the Creative Schools Partnership (CSP) Programme – a pioneering cross-government programme funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through National Lottery funding, the Education Authority and the Executive Office’s Urban Villages Initiative.
Malone College was one of eleven post-primary schools located in the 5 Urban Village areas currently engaged in the CSP Programme to develop an arts-led project which would connect with the school curriculum, support student development and engage the wider community. The programme brings professional artists into the classroom to teach new skills, support educational learning and strengthen community connections.
The students have had the opportunity to step outside of their normal school activities to take part in specially devised drama and art sessions, led by professional artists, focussing on creative learning and improving student confidence. With 26 different languages spoken by students within the school, a primary focus of the project has been on celebrating cultural diversity and promoting inclusion.
Talking about the project, teacher Lynsay-Erin Mercer said: “We wanted this project to be a collaboration, with input from myself, the artist and the children. The children wanted to look at their identity and some of the different cultures represented here within the school. The children worked with Kerrie to create the stained glass. The project has been a real success. The children have learnt new skills, different to what they would generally do in class. It’s been a really worthwhile experience and the children can all say, with pride, that they have been a part of something really special.”
Director of Urban Villages Joan O’Hara commented: “The Urban Villages Initiative is delighted to be able to support this innovative project. Having this beautiful stained-glass piece as a permanent installation within the school building showcases and celebrates diversity and inclusion. This will encourage students to share their voices not just within school but in their local community and will provide new life experiences and help generate new thinking which is at the heart of building good relations.”
EIGHT NURSERIES RECOGNISED AS NURSERY SCHOOLS OF SANCTUARY FOR THE FIRST TIME.
This year, eight Nursery Schools across the five Urban Villages areas of Belfast and Derry/Londonderry broke new ground by becoming the first to participate in the Schools of Sanctuary Programme.
June 2023 was a month of celebration as each of the Nurseries achieved Nursery School of Sanctuary (SoS) status, joining 60 primary and secondary schools, 51 of which are in UV areas, who have achieved SoS Status to date.
The Schools of Sanctuary programme supports schools to further develop as welcoming and inclusive places for all pupils and their families, where each child thrives and cultural diversity is celebrated; and a place where every child feels safe and accepted regardless of what belief or background. The programme, also supported by the Education Authority, provides opportunities for pupils to develop skills, such as tolerance and empathy, across the curriculum as well as strengthening connections with families and the wider community. Recognising the importance of engaging at the outset of people’s lives, this was the first time Schools of Sanctuary had worked with children aged 3-4 in Nursery School settings in Northern Ireland.
The Nursery Schools were presented with their awards in June 2023 by Belfast City of Sanctuary, EA and Urban Villages Co-ordinators. The award presentations took place within the Nursery Schools and fantastic weather allowed teachers, pupils and parents to celebrate in the sunshine. Each school was presented with a School of Sanctuary Plaque and Certificate and the schools provided a range of treats, including cakes & buns, for the children as part of the celebrations. The children even got involved as some helped their teachers in baking buns!
Director of Urban Villages Joan O’Hara congratulated everyone involved in the project, commenting: “The Urban Villages Initiative is delighted to be a part of this programme, supporting all schools serving the UV areas to become warm and welcoming places for everyone. This is a wonderful achievement; these Nursery Schools have led the way in being awarded School of Sanctuary status. They are the first Nursery Schools in Northern Ireland to participate in the programme, which recognises the key role children, young people, teachers, and the whole school community have in promoting good relations and inclusion.”
COMMUNITIES LEARN ABOUT DEVELOPING SOCIAL ENTERPRISES AT FUTURE INNOVATORS CONFERENCE
The Future Innovators Conference brought a slice of ‘Dragons’ Den’ to Crumlin Road Gaol on 19 May to showcase developments in digital innovation and lead a discussion on how to improve local areas through Community Interest Companies (CICs).
14 start-up CICs shared their experiences of how funding from the Future Innovators programme helped them to identify & meet a need within their area, while at the same time creating employment and income for their communities.
The Future Innovators programme, led by Co-operation Ireland, is a cross border programme, funded by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Match-funding for the project has been provided by The Executive Office and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland. Urban Villages and border areas were the location for this exciting blend of public and private sector thinking.
Of the 14 CICs established, 11 are based within the 5 Urban Villages areas: Street Soccer NI, The Multi-Cultured Club and The Diamond Project in East Belfast; Lagmore Youth Project and Suffolk Community Forum in the Colin area; Market Development Association in South Belfast; Horn of Africa People’s Alliance in North Belfast; and Excel CIC, New Gate Arts, Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum and Old Library Trust in Derry/Londonderry. The high percentage of UV CICs underlines the community dynamism at the heart of UV.
Free masterclasses were also available on the day, delivered by industry professionals, to support groups interested in developing their own CICs. These included ‘Creating Retail Magic’, ‘Digital Marketing’ ‘Funding a new enterprise’ and ‘Using your story to sell your brand’.
As part of the programme, a new digital platform was developed by one of the partners, University of Essex, which will be a vital tool in creating a self-sustaining network of support. This important resource will help empower individuals and communities to connect and come together to share their experiences, learn lessons, develop ideas and deliver their own community-based projects.
Dr Denis McMahon, Permanent Secretary at the Executive Office, congratulated everyone involved in the Future Innovators project, commenting: “Well done to the 11 groups from the five Urban Village areas and the participants from Donegal on their certificate presentation today, recognising and celebrating their achievements over the course of the Future Innovators programme. Identifying innovative ways to improve and transform communities is vital to all our futures. The Digital Platform developed through the programme will be an important tool in creating a self-sustaining network of support for these groups and their communities. These activities and relationships are at the heart of building good relations and will leave a positive lasting legacy.”
Not Just for Boys Programme: Women’s Tec
Women’s Tec Not Just for Boys programme is a great initiative that inspires girls and young women to look at exciting career opportunities in the world of construction and IT.
Recent developments include introducing the programme to Primary 7 girls and bringing post-primary students to construction sites visits. Primary 7 girls from Mercy Primary, Holy Cross Girls PS and Wheatfield PS have joined in the primary schools sessions. The sessions give them hands-on experience and allow them to explore their creativity and develop practical skills.
Young women who study construction at GCSE level at Girls Model visited a Graham Construction site where they got to witness the various stages of construction projects and meet professionals who shared their experiences and career journeys.
A group of Blessed Trinity College students visited the site of a 15-storey student accommodation site by McAleer and Rushe. The young women study Technology and Design at various levels and got valuable insights into careers from architecture and engineering to project management and skilled trades.
#NotJust for Boys is supported by the Urban Villages Initiative.
Peer Mentors and Fresh Start Wednesdays
Young peer mentors in Mercy College have developed an excellent initiative in their school - Fresh Start Wednesdays, with support from Youth Education Health Advice (YEHA). They designed and implemented the programme based on young people's needs, and have been giving up their spare time on Wednesday mornings to help support other young people.
On Fresh Start Wednesdays, many young people have been coming into school early for a nutritious breakfast, some games, music and access to youth workers for a chat.
Meanwhile, the Streetbeat peer mentors have been active in Girls’ Model, Boys’ Model, Belfast Royal Academy and Hazelwood College. The peer mentors take part in a programme that teaches them practical skills to help support young people and gives them the opportunity to work towards an accredited OCN qualification.
The Wraparound Peer Mentors is a joint initiative of Ardoyne Shankill Health Partnership, YEHA and Streetbeat. This project is supported by the Urban Villages Initiative.
Invisible Barriers
Invisible Barriers, by Youth Education Health Advice (YEHA) Drama Project, is a youth-led short film highlighting key moments of women’s lives through the generations of North Belfast.
The film uses an artistic and documentary style to celebrate the strength and resilience of working-class women in the backdrop of difficult times. It shows how women continue to be the pillars of the community and how they help build a sense of connection and hope for future generations.
The young women hope that their film can make a difference in North Belfast by showing what the community has already achieved and the power of coming together. The film was shown at Strand Arts Centre in March. This YEHA drama project is supported with funding from the Urban Villages Initiative.
Carezone Community Champions
Carezone is a North Belfast community mental health and wellbeing initiative. The Community Champions are local volunteers who operate a mobile information unit, help organise street based information sessions and organise fun days and events of hope. The champions receive training to give them the skills and confidence required to work and consult with communities on issues affecting their mental health and well-being.
This year, they have undertaken an OCN Level 2 in Mentoring Practice and training with CAMHs and Autism Services, to equip them to provide support for other parents and people in the community.
This project involves Youth Education Health Advice (YEHA) and multiple community partners, with funded support from the Urban Villages Initiative.
RESILIENCE
The Resilience Programme supported and funded by the Urban Villages Initiative has continued to grow. The Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum (BBHF) has been key in providing support to people within the local community and schools, showing that through the relationships they have nurtured they have been able to bridge the gap that has existed for so long between community and statutory organisations on education.
Supporting pupils and their families
BBHF have delivered 11 Resilience Programmes across the Urban Villages area and is offering additional Maths and English support within the youth clubs. Throughout the year BBHF has continued to develop effective programmes and services in partnership with teachers and classroom assistants. The feedback from our partner Youth Clubs has been fantastic,
“The sessions went well, I had the same students each week. Everyone attended the sessions and the engagement and feedback was all good and positive.” Georgina, Cathedral Youth Club
“Things are going great. Pupils are still attending weekly and are motivated.” Kellie, Long Tower Youth Club
Through partner meetings with local schools and youth clubs, BBHF has identified the increasing need to address educational anxiety in young people. The Resilience Programme continues its partnership with Youth Clubs and Schools to enable BBHF to provide KS2, 3 and 4 in a range of environments, offering support for GCSE Maths and English. It was identified the need for this programme was outweighing what could be provided. The additional funding has allowed BBHF to tackle this quickly to get that much needed support into the community and to the young people.
Aileen Mc Guinness, Director of the Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum commented on the project’s impact saying, “We are supporting one young person who now has the confidence to go into their math’s class and not feel lost. They now have the confidence to give back to their community and they are not defined by their limitations or where they are from and this counts for so much in their young life.” BBHF is excited to be looking forward in the programme planning to develop and evolve this excellent service.
Shared History Outreach project
The Urban Villages Initiative provided a unique opportunity to the Museum of Free Derry and the Siege Museum when support began for the Shared History Outreach Project.
Through opportunities for discussion, the aim is to promote greater respect and mutual understanding for the different perspectives of history within the two main communities in the city.
The museums cover two important periods in the history of Derry – the Siege and the civil rights/early Troubles. Participants get to see people from different communities telling very important aspects of their own histories. The museums are examples of how groups from different sides of the community, who in the past would not have worked together, can now work constructively without any dilution of the others’ identity or importance.
After a difficult start to this project, with Covid-19 restrictions seriously impacting on visitor numbers, 2022/23 has been much busier and have finally returned to pre-covid numbers! This calendar year has seen a footfall in excess of 21,737 people of all ages visiting the museum and participating fully. Feedback from participants collected after their visit, shows that almost 100% had a greater understanding of local culture and heritage and of the historical perceptions of others. As we come to the end of the initial three-year funding period, it is clear that this project is reaching its initial important targets and will hopefully continue to do so.
PRINCE OF WALES’ VISIT TO HOSFORD COMMUNITY HOMES: INCLUSION HUB
The Hosford Community Homes: Inclusion Hub, a new capital project funded by the Urban Villages Initiative, was selected by the Royal Foundation for a visit on 27th June 2023. The visit was part of the Prince of Wales’ UK tour to launch Homewards - a five-year locally led programme delivered by the Royal Foundation.
Representatives of East Belfast Mission spent time with Prince William at the project’s premises on the Lower Newtownards Road to talk about the Inclusion Hub; their work to tackle homelessness; and their partnership with the Urban Villages Initiative. During the visit Prince William heard about the project’s mix of good relations space and apartments which offer wrap around support. The Head of the Civil Service, Jayne Brady, was also in attendance to meet the Prince of Wales. The Urban Villages team are hopeful that this visit is the beginning of East Belfast Mission’s relationship with the Royal Foundation.
Urban Villages are delighted to be working with East Belfast Mission and look forward to future collaboration and partnership working on homelessness prevention through the £885,000 capital build project.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales with Tom Dillon, Building Co-ordinator/ Hosford Community Homes Lead, East Belfast Mission.