Away from Violence

Our largest youth work programme is the Away from Violence project, and the smaller but related Breaking the Cycle project.  Away from Violence is supported through funding from the International Fund for Ireland's Community Bridges Programme, and the Department of Education's Community Relations Core Funding Scheme. 

This project was developed due to increasing concern amongst our staff, board and volunteers about the high levels of violence experienced by young people and how this culture is normalized and accepted.  After doing some initial research, there appeared to be a lack of significant initiatives addressing the impact of violence on the lives of young people.


Four trainee Civic Educators have been employed to deliver the project across Northern Ireland.  They are based with local partner organisations, and supported by local volunteers and training developed specifically for this project.  They will work within the host community, and also with neighbouring communities on a cross-community basis.  Young people spend time exploring the nature of violence and how it affects them and their communities, and then choose an issue to develop into an action project.  Current project examples include; a film on sectarian rioting, an anti-bullying website, and an information leaflet on personal safety.
                                                                                                             
North Belfast
Project partners include Mount Vernon Community Development Forum, Thornbush Community House in Skegoneill, and Fortwilliam Youth Centre.  Three groups are currently running in these areas on the themes of racism, anti-social behaviour and youth issues.  There is also a lot of activity in the White City and Greencastle areas at the moment, where young people are making films about the impact of 'peace lines' on their lives as part of the WIMPS 'Peace Channel' project.  Alex Hobson is the Civic Educator in North Belfast, so if you want to find out more, click on her name to send an email!

West Belfast

Our West Belfast Civic Educator is Conor Captain who is based out of Corpus Christi Youth Centre.  One of the current projects is the Heritage Group which is the young people looking at their heritage and designing an exhibition around this. Another project is with St Gerard's Educational Resource Centre, this involves the young people talking about their issues and makling their work public. The groups are very keen to present a positive image to the world beyond their school.  Corpus are also working with a group in Springmartin on the WIMPS Peace Channel project, and have just finished making a short film about the impact of the peace wall on their lives. 
Claudy

The Inside Out project hosts Away from Violence in the North West of Northern Ireland.  The project works with young people in rural communities in County L'Derry.  Currently three groups are ongoing exploring themes of sectarianism, homophobia and racism. The civic educator is Claudy is Julie Davis.

Portadown
Darryn Causby co-ordinates the project in the area, hosted by PLACE Initiative. Other local partners include St Mary’s Youth Centre and Portadown YMCA.  Groups are currently looking and interface issues, suicide and bullying.


This page will be updated regularly with examples of the projects young people are running in these areas. Please check back to see progress on the project.  If you would like more general information about Away from Violence or would like to get involved, please contact Deborah Erwin our Youth Work Manager at the Public Achievement office.