News
Creative partnership working (14/10/2011)
A “Celebration of Achievement” was held in Portrush Town Hall on Friday 7 October to recognise nine young people who successfully completed two Open College Network (OCN) Qualifications.The Cultural Diversity & Reoffending Youth programme, aimed at young people who had become involved in offending behaviour, was funded by Coleraine Community Safety Partnership with support from the Youth Justice Agency and the local PSNI.
The event was supported by Coleraine Borough Council. Mayor of Coleraine Alderman Maurice Bradley said: “Supporting our youth to develop relationships and understand others is extremely important work. By delivering this excellent project, we are investing in all of our futures. I congratulate all those who completed the programme on achieving these qualifications.”
The programme, which resulted in OCN Level 1 in Citizenship, Social, Civic & Political Education, brought together young people from different communities and engaged them in a three day workshop to challenge sectarian attitudes and help reduce the risks of re-offending. The workshop was facilitated by Michael Doherty from the Peace and Reconciliation Group and explored issues in regard to single and shared identities.
Having forged new relationships, the young people then consolidated their friendship by engaging in a 7 week DJ workshop facilitated by Kwa Daniels from Bouncin DJ. Rivalry was put aside and new friendships formed through the common and shared interest of music. At the end of the 7 weeks they had achieved OCN Level 1 in DJ skills and have worked together to compose a piece of music which will be uploaded onto the Bouncin DJ website (www.bouncindj.com) for the public to enjoy.
Speaking at the event Youth Justice Agency Assistant Director Grainne Keane said: “These young people have worked very hard to achieve their qualifications and I am very proud of them all. The Programme provided an invaluable opportunity for those involved to examine their current attitudes in a controlled, yet creative and fun environment. As a result the young people have new perspectives and new friendships have been formed.”
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