The Glebe House Singing Circle, which meets weekly, will video-record on Wednesday 18 September a performance of the song ‘Harbour’ by Anna Tabbush. ‘Harbour’ is an expression of empathy, welcoming refugees, offering safety, shelter, warmth, rest, peace and healing, as anyone could be the person who may need the compassion of strangers. The recording will be posted on the Facebook page of Glebe House / Harmony Community Trust, which has 1k followers and 985 likes, and we will ask our followers to share the video.
Event Format: Online
Parallel Histories Stormont Debate Workshop – Carrickfergus Academy
Parallel Histories are delighted that Carrickfergus Academy is taking part in the Parallel Histories/Good Relations Week Debates on controversial Northern Irish histories at Stormont on 13th September.
At the Stormont debates, students from across Northern Ireland will investigate the controversial histories of Northern Ireland. This workshop is to prepare them for working on sensitive topics with people the same age from across communities. They will focus on collaboratively investigating and then articulating views drawn from sources first from one side and then from the other in conversational debate. In the process they will learn how histories have been constructed and develop the skills and confidence they need to listen, question, and arrive at their own, informed choices.
Breathe – Launch of Project Online Resource
Community Arts Partnership (CAP) launches an on-ine showing of their creative response to Breathe, the keynote presentation made by Prof John Paul Lederach as the keynote for the 4 Corners Festival, 2020. Participants for the project came from across Belfast and the sessions were hosted by Forthspring Inter-community Group, Belfast.
The project was facilitated by Carole Kane, Charmaine McBride and supported by John Paul, the project engaged members of the local community in movement, visual expression and Haiku writing. We drew our breath, literally, and brought these shapes into movement, bringing life to the 3x maps described in Breathe. Exploring how they connected with our internal and physical maps of what it means to live, be, and breathe in Belfast.
The page on the CAP website shows 4x films and we invite you to take time to view the process covered in these creative workshops.
Conflict Transformation Program, Induction Day
Delivered through the International School for Peace Studies Arbour & Radius Housing will be starting off the Messines program during Good Relations Week. This will be the first workshop session and induction day for all the group members participating on the program. At the induction day the group members will begin their first workshop for contribution towards their Level 1 OCN.
Participants will then continue their Level 2 OCN overseas in Belgium.
Feet on the Street – Newry
Feet on the Street Wellbeing Programme: Walking Towards Wellness
Join the Feet on the Street Wellbeing Programme in Newry, where we meet every Thursday at 5 PM for walks designed to accommodate all abilities. This program, tailored primarily for individuals aged 55 and over, provides a supportive environment for those navigating bereavement, social isolation, and post-cancer treatment.
In alignment with the theme of ‘OpportUNiTY’, our walking group represents a chance to come together, support one another, and create new opportunities for connection and personal growth. Through regular walks and monthly workshops, which cover diverse topics such as Autism, Dementia, suicide awareness with PIPS, and PSNI/PCP, we aim to foster a sense of community and shared understanding.
Our sessions are more than just physical activity—they are about building resilience, reducing isolation, and celebrating the opportunities for improvement and support within our community.
Self Defence Program – Newry
Self Defence – 4 week Program
Self-defence classes offer value beyond just learning physical techniques. They empower individuals with essential skills to protect themselves and improve confidence. By participating in self-defence courses, individuals acquire practical knowledge about defending against potential threats and also develop a heightened awareness of their surroundings. This awareness can translate into greater ability to assess risks more effectively in everyday life.
Participants will have better mental preparedness and assertiveness and learn how to remain calm under pressure. They will have improved physical fitness and overall health and ultimately have a healthier lifestyle.
Beyond the physical benefits, these classes can also serve as a social outlet, building connections with like-minded individuals who share similar goals of self-improvement and personal safety. The positive impact of classes extends into the safety of the wider Newry community, as individuals become more confidence in protecting themselves they contribute to the collective sense of security. Each of the programmes will engage 8-10 participants across four sites within the five mile radius of the shared housing catchment in Newry.
This event will take place from 7pm to 9pm at Craigmore ABC.
Inclusion in Volunteering Workshop
This free ‘Inclusion in Volunteering’ training workshop is designed to equip leaders of volunteers with the knowledge and skills necessary to maximise volunteer engagement and streamline management processes. Participants will explore key concepts, best practices, and practical strategies for effectively managing volunteer programs.
It is based on research carried out for Volunteer Now and Volunteer Ireland by Conor Scully of the School of Policy and Practice, DCU Institute of Education.
Course objectives:
- Understand the importance of volunteer engagement and its impact on organisational success.
- Learn effective strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers.
- Explore tools and techniques for streamlining volunteer management processes.
- Develop an action plan for enhancing volunteer engagement within their organisations.
Holocaust Memorial Day 2025: Unity for a better future
For this Good Relations Week, join the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) in this workshop session to learn about and plan for Holocaust Memorial Day 2025.
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) – the international day on 27 January to remember the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. It is a time to come together and remember those who were murdered, and those who survived and work together to build a better future free from identity-based persecution.
This workshop will introduce the theme for HMD 2025: for a better future, and provide support, resources and ideas for you to mark HMD in an engaging and meaningful way.
HMD is a time for unity and togetherness – only by embracing inclusivity and diversity can we create the better world we look for.
A Word From NIFHA CEO, Seamus Leheny
Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations, CEO Seamus Leheny outlines the important role of housing associations in delivering positive good relations work in Northern Ireland. Housing for All & shared schemes help break down barriers & tackle social issues.
The growth of ‘Housing for All’
Building shared communities and supporting good relations work within those communities has been a big focus for Apex Housing Association over the last few years. This work has been supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Housing for All shared housing programme.
The programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.
For more information about the Housing for All programme, visit the Department for Communities website.