Teenagers take part in ‘life changing’ project

Young people from Ballymena South with their Detached Youth Project certificates. They are joined by project co-ordinator Neil Symington of NIYF and project worker Laura O'Hare .

The boys and girls aged 12-14 from the Dunclug/Dunvale areas (aged 12-14) and 14-16-year-olds from Harryville, Ballee and Ballykeel took part in the Detached Youth Project celebration event in Coleraine which provided the chance for them to recognize the hard work of the 12 communities and around 160 young people aged 14-25, who developed lasting relationships with members from the other community.

The Dunclug group participated in a residential to Castewellan, as well as a range of cultural and learning activities. They were supported by the Dunclug Community Forum.

The Ballymena South group set up the Ballymena South Youth Forum as a result of this project and had cultural and learning visits to Donegal, Derry and Belfast.

This exciting and challenging initiative was delivered by the Northern Ireland Youth Forum (NIYF) and funded under the European Union’s PEACE III Programme which is managed on behalf of the Special EU Programmes Body by the North East PEACE III Partnership.

Over the past two years, the young people, many of whom had no meaningful contact with the other side of the community, have taken part in training, cultural activities, residentials and cross border visits that have helped change their perception of other faiths, races and cultures.

Project co-ordinator Neil Symington from the NIYF, said the project encouraged the young people to address issues such racism, sectarianism, conflict and reconciliation.

“They really put their heart and soul into the project and produced some really innovative, exciting work. They have formed relationships that hopefully will last the rest of their lives.”

The Detached Youth Project was one of the most ambitious ever undertaken by the NIYF, which put in place experienced detached workers to engage with young people, other providers and the local community. Each community had access to resources, outdoor learning and the skills of film and multi-media company BNL Productions to enhance their learning from the project.