PHASE 4: Newtonabbey
Project: Inspirational, Interactive, Inclusive Youth
Grant awarded: £30,000
Date: April 2008 - September 2009
About
Project aim: empowerment of young marginalised people through a consensus process affirming a youth perspective or voice through performing arts.
The project targeted young people in the wards of Coole Dunanney and Valley. The area has a population of approximately 90,000 people, where there are pockets of severe deprivation. Motorways, shopping complexes and business centres have physically split the areas in two. The areas have suffered from serious sectarian conflict and have seven interfaces where hostilities occur with some frequency.
The project was designed by and for young people to address issues confronting young people in an interface area and to involve them in decision-making processes.
The project worked collaboratively with youth leaders and a range of youth delivery support organisations. Up to 60 young people and arts based organisations were involved to deliver an issue-based theatre performance that allowed young people to use their voice to spark change and build social capital.
A final Evaluation Report 'The Catalyst Project Leading to Bonkerz' reviewed the process used, the projects undertaken, the outcomes achieved and the lessons learned. This will be disseminated at a stakeholder meeting convened to share learning. The lessons will assist in finding new ways to support young people to continue to share space and awareness about matters affecting them.
The project was highly successful and the evaluation acknowledged that it "engaged a significant number of young people from the two community backgrounds .... realisation between young people that their lives are not just parallel but mirror each other .....new friendships established .... ongoing cross community connections ...successful working between area based and neighbouring organisations....raises new challenges for support bodies and community and arts service providers. Whilst the project did not create new structures for future youth activity, it has provided a platform from which further joint ventures could be taken."
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