Ballynafoy kids ‘dare to dream’ at summer scheme
Young people from Ballynafoy Close in Belfast recently enjoyed a host of activities as part of a four-day good relations summer scheme organised by Apex Housing Association and supported by the Together Building United Communities (T:BUC) Housing for All programme.
Facilitated by Northern Ireland Alternatives, the theme of the summer scheme this year was ‘Dare to Dream’ – encouraging the young people to dream bigger, expect more from their community and achieve more. In order to foster good relations in their local area, those taking part were encouraged to engage in dialogue around their similarities, differences and the importance of understanding and accepting both.
During the week, the young people tested their rhythm during a drumming workshop, showed off their water skills at Let’s Go Hydro, enhanced their creativity through arts and crafts, improved their environment by taking part in a litter pick and made new friends through team building exercises.
Sharon Hunt, Apex Good Relations Officer, commented:
I was thrilled to see the impact of the summer scheme on those taking part. I know this group of young people have no problem in daring to dream and it was great to see them enjoying the activities and bonding as friends. With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, we were delighted to be able to run the summer scheme this year and hope it will continue in the coming years to help foster good relations in Ballynafoy Close and surrounding areas.
Kirsty Graham from Ballynafoy Close commented:
The summer scheme was brilliant for the kids. It gave them something to look forward to and they really enjoyed it. After all the restrictions we’ve had to endure over the last year, the summer scheme brought all the kids together and we hope it happens again next year.
For more information about our good relations work in the Belfast area, contact Good Relations Officer Sharon Hunt on 028 7130 4800 or email sharon.hunt@apex.org.uk.
