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Author: DOJ Team

DfC Frest Start Team support learning to enhance community development

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Members of both the DfC Fresh Start and Tackling Paramilitarism Programme Teams recently attended an information session organised by Rural Communities Network (RCN) for participants on the Education in Community Practice Diploma, delivered through the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway and supported by our Programme. RCN is one of the Fresh Start in the Community delivery organisations and delivers projects that promote lawfulness, active citizenship and help build capacity and relations within communities.

 

The Diploma is designed to develop participants skills and knowledge in community development and it is anticipated that they will be able to use their new qualification to support and develop their own communities and groups.

Some of the participants on the Education in Community Practice

Marie Gallaher, from Fresh Start Team spoke at the event, saying: “I recognise the significant time commitment that each of you has made in completing this course and I congratulate you on reaching the final month of learning. You will now have an opportunity to bring all your learning back to your respective organisations and communities and I have no doubt that 20 people trained up and full of enthusiasm for community development will make a significantly positive contribution to your communities.”

 

The group were also joined on the night by Police Chief Inspector Louise Cummings, who is responsible for community engagement in the Causeway Cost and Glens region. Louise discussed the PSNI’s Neighbourhood Policing and Engagement Strategy, providing information and advice on how to interact with their local community engagement officers and the changes that are currently affecting policing.

 

Following the event, Christopher Farrington from the Programme Team said: “Our Programme is rooted in research, data and insight to help us invest in the right projects and interventions that will have the greatest impact towards identified needs. This approach also extends to delivery in our communities and we’re delighted that the DfC Team are supporting this Diploma to give people the knowledge and skills that they need to ensure their communities can thrive.”

Communities in Transition Area Reports

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Building a ‘Sanctuary’ with young people from Derry/Londonderry

Posted on by DOJ Team

In May 2022, staff from Gasyard Wall Feile, (a Delivery Partner of Communities in Transition’s Culture & Identity Programme in Derry/Londonderry), brought six young men from Creggan and Brandywell, along with two youth leaders from St Mary’s Youth Club, to take part in a special project to help create a national memorial structure to those who died during the Covid pandemic.

 

The project, titled ‘Sanctuary’ took place in Bedworth, England and was delivered in conjunction with international artist David Best. David was responsible for the burning art installation titled ‘Temple’ in Derry/Londonderry in 2015.

During the learning visit the participants were given a mix of training, including construction processes, the use of construction tools and health and safety procedures, which expanded their skill set and enabled them to support the Sanctuary build process. At the grand finale event and ceremonial torching, some of the young people were asked to help light the structure.

Carolyn Mada from Communities in Transition said: “Taking part in this project has been a life-changing experience for the participants and has instilled a sense of worth far beyond the project. It has attracted positive coverage of the young people and organisations working in the area and highlighted the talent and skills of the young men.

“The young people returned from the visit feeling valued about their contribution to the build, and better focused on making positive decisions for their futures, including their own employment and training.”

 

‘Amazing experience. To be able to come from Creggan and work on a project like this was unbelievable. I never would have thought I would work on something like this. I learned so much in just 5 days and I have been offered the chance of further training and work with one of the companies involved in the project. ’

‘Taking part in this project was my first time leaving Ireland, being on a plane, being away from home. I got the chance to learn new skills, meet new people. It was a great experience’