Good Relations challenges sectarianism, racism, celebrates our rich cultural diversity and tries to find ways for us all to be able to live, work and socialise together without fear or mistrust.
Ards and North Down Borough Council is committed to promoting equality and good relations for everyone in the Borough. Equality, inclusivity, and diversity are placed at the core of all of the Council’s services and actions, as it strives to work towards achieving a shared future for all.
The Council delivers the Good Relations Programme as part of the N.I. Executive Offices’ wider ‘Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC)’ Strategy. It is funded jointly by the Executive Office and the Council. The key aims of the programme are to improve relations between and within District Council areas and to support local solutions to local good relations issues.
The Good Relations Programme works towards building relationships and working with all communities across the Ards and North Down Borough area. The Good Relations Programme is based on the Together: Building a United Community Strategy.
An example of this can be seen in this short animation: Ards and North Down Good Relations: A Game of Three Halves - YouTube
The Good Relations Team at Ards and North Down Borough Council in collaboration with NEEP pictures have recently produced thought-provoking animated videos on Racism and Sectarianism, why these issues still exist and what we as communities can do to tackle them.
Understanding the Lived Experience of Asylum Seekers
The theme for Refugee Week 2023 is Compassion, but what does this look like? The last few years have been challenging for all of us. We are still adjusting to new realities post-lockdown as well as responding to new crises. Our own experiences are all the tools we need to be compassionate, not just to ourselves and family but also to our neighbours.
The Good Relations team at Ards and North Down Borough Council would like to invite you to a Small Worlds workshop on Saturday 17th June 2023 from 10am-12noon or on Friday 23rd June between 6-9pm. Join us for a cup of tea and an informal chat with others who have arrived in Northern Ireland and want to make this country their home including asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. The workshop will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have from those who have lived experience and perhaps understand better the need for compassion.
Small Worlds experiential workshops: changing hearts and minds
Small Worlds are cafe-style events providing a safe space for participants to encounter others whose lived experience originates from different parts of the world and, more recently, as that of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants.
How it works: each workshop begins with a short introduction to the asylum-seeking/refugee context. Following this, small groups of 4-6 meet hosts from different countries for 15-20 minutes at a time. Hosts introduce themselves and answer questions about their life stories and their reasons for coming to Northern Ireland. Participants then move on to visit another ‘Small World’ until they have met most of the hosts. Typical workshops last around two hours, with 20-24 participants and four hosts.
Typical participant feedback from Small Worlds:
‘It will stay with me that every name we see on the screen has a very important story to tell’. (policy-maker)
‘Extremely informative, worthwhile workshop. A different view to immigration issues'. (Law Society member)
'An excellent, informative event with gracious and interesting hosts. Recommend this to any organization'. (policy maker)
Registration is best through goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk however if you are out and about, please call in and chat.
Previous Programmes
January 2023
To mark Holocaust Memorial Day in January 2023, Good Relations ran a programme of events.
Bangor Carnegie Library hosted a Good Relations Holocaust exhibition showcasing the work from local schools and community groups. The theme of the exhibition: Ordinary People.
On Wednesday 25 January the team hosted a child survivor of the Holocaust in Bangor Town Hall. Subsequent genocides were also commemorated with a series of online talks from survivors. These included:
- Monday 23 January - Srebrenica/Bosnia
- Tuesday 24 January - Rwanda/Tutsi
- Thursday 26 January - Cambodia
- Friday 27 January - Darfur
December 2022
Deaf Awareness with Anthony Sinclair - Thursday 15 December: 12 - 1pm
About the Presenter: Anthony SInclair
Anthony set up and runs Sign Source learning, a business that has evolved from his passion and his mission is to "create a more inclusive and informed society by offering excellent, engaging and accessible sign language learning solutions for everyone”: in other words, “to introduce everyone in the UK to #BSL and create an aware and #inclusive society”
An Olympic gold medalist in tennis, Anthony believes in a holistic approach to education and his love of movement and sport is evident and embedded into all the
teaching strategies he uses in the classroom. He is qualified teacher holding a PGCE in BSL.
In the first ever hybrid 'It Takes Allsorts', please join us in person at Ards Blair Mayne's Dusty Millar room or online via MS Teams. Tea & Coffee are provided for those attending in person. To register for this event, please email: goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
November 2022
Join the Good Relations team for "A Deep Dive into Diversity!"
This four-week online programme explored diversity in our society. Topics include Inclusive Language, LGBTQ+, Disabilities and Immigration.
September 2022
Good Relations Week 2022
Good Relations Week 2022: Monday 19th to Sunday 25th September 2022. The theme for this year’s celebration: ‘‘Change Starts With Us’ and focused on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to highlight the political, social, economic, and environmental challenges we face as a region.
The Ards and North Down Good Relations team marked the week with the following events:
- Screening of Quo Vadis, Aida? A short film produced in conjunction with Remembering Srebrenica
The screening will be held at the Web Theatre, Newtownards on Wednesday 21 September 2022. Doors open 7pm, film starts at 7.30pm
- Remembering the Future: A Reflection on Northern Ireland and the Decade of Centenaries 1912-1922
An online event held via Zoom on Thursday 22 September 2022 at 7pm**
(**Update: Due to unforeseen circumstances this talk advertised previously with Dr Éamon Phoenix will now be presented by Dr Russell Rees.)
If interested in either of these events, please email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk to register your place.
Other Programmes
Shared Voices Programme - *Volunteer Opportunity*
We are currently recruiting volunteers for our Shared Voices programme. If you are a 1st or 2nd generation immigrant to Northern Ireland and would like to share your story please visit Be Collective (hosted by Volunteer Now) for more information on this great volunteering opportunity, You can learn more about the Shared Voices Programme below.
What is the Shared Voices Programme?
The Shared Voices programme was developed with the assistance of First and Second generation immigrant volunteers and is aimed primarily at raising awareness of the diversity within our society.
What is the aim of the Shared Voices programme?
The Shared Voices programme aims to assist Good Relations and work towards making the Ards and North Down Borough a shared and safe place for all.
Listen to local volunteer Maela talking about why she volunteers for the Shared Voices programme: GR Shared Voices Volunteer Maela - YouTube
Who is the programme for?
The programme is aimed primarily at young people from P5 upwards, primarily in a school environment during 30 minute periods but can be adapted to be delivered within a community setting to smaller groups and to different age groups. Times can be adjusted to what is available.
Living History Programme 2022
Ards and North Down Good Relations would like to invite you to take part in our Living History programme, the programme will visit places and discuss important documents that have shaped Northern Ireland and Ireland into who we are today.
*Participants are required to be available for all 5 weeks.*
Dates and times (All times are approximate):
Tuesday 4 October Local Area 10-4pm
Tuesday 11 October Omagh 8-6pm
Tuesday 18 October Belfast 9-5pm
Tuesday 25 October Dublin 8-6pm
Tuesday 1 November Local Area 9-5pm
This initiative welcomes participants from all cultural backgrounds. However, due to the areas of discussion, this programme is not considered suitable for children under 16 years of age. Prospective participants should be aware that a certain level of mobility will be required to take part in this programme, please contact us to discuss your requirements.
COST: FREE
Those wishing to register should be available and register for the full 5-week programme. Times/ Venues may be subject to change.
Registration is essential by Thursday 29th September 2022.
A light lunch will be provided each week.
For more information and to register, email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.
Refugee Week 2022 - 20 - 26 June.
Refugee Week 2022 runs from 20 - 26 June.
Good Relations at Ards and North Down Borough Council invites you to join them for two online sessions to learn more about refugees, the challenges they face and the contribution that they bring to our society.
Tuesday 21 June: 7pm - 8.30pm - Introduction to refugees and asylum seekers
Wednesday 22 June: 7pm - 8.30pm - Refugee resettlement schemes across Northern Ireland
For more information/to register please contact goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
International Women's Day Programme - March 2022
Ards and North Down Good Relations would like to invite you to take part in our International Women’s Day programme online on:
Monday 7th March 10-12.30pm
Monday 14th March 10-12.30pm
The online programme has been developed based on the theme for International Women's Day 2022 – ‘Break the Bias’. The programme will explore inequalities that affect women in Northern Ireland today. We will also focus on celebrating women's achievement in relation to challenging bias and forging equality.
Interested? Register at goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
What Does the Data Tell Us? - 14-17 March 2022
What does the data tell us
We live in the post-truth age. Much of what we hear is based upon opinion but is it always based on verifiable data? Across these 4 workshops we look at data that relates to themes such as the Protocol, constitutional opinions and also legacy. We will talk about how data is created, how questions are designed and how to read data. One thing we usually do find is that there is more consensus than we think.
Workshop 1 The Constitutional and Identity Question: Is it the case that we simply have 2 identity blocks who either wish to remain in the UK or who want a UI? Does being a Protestant or Catholic simply map onto those choices? Has Brexit made a UI more attractive. Is this workshop we look at the communities in NI and examine their very nuanced approaches to such issues and many others.
Workshop 2 Legacy: What should we do about a violent past? We know that it affects many with many examples of inter-generational trauma but what does society think? In this talk we examine data collected in February 2022 which examines how people view the past and what they think we should do next.
Workshop 3 The Protocol: Media and politicians tell us that the two main communities view the Protocol and Brexit differently. But do they? In this workshop we explore attitudes towards the Protocol and dig into the very nuances and even contradictory opinions that exits.
Workshop 4 Voting Intentions: Who are people intending to vote for? Do people who vote have the same or different attitudes to health, welfare and the economy. In this workshop we look at how we measure voting intentions and what could happen in May.
To register, email: goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Exploring Complex Issues - February/March 2022
Good Relations at Ards and North Down Borough Council invites you to join them online for a series of workshops on complex issues.
Starting on Tuesday 22nd February 7-9pm and the programme will run for 5 consecutive weeks.
- Week 1: Flags & Emblems
- Week 2: Territorial markings
- Week 3: Memorials
- Week 4: Sharing out History
- Week 5 Dealing with the Past
It is important that we acknowledge honour & commemorate the sacrifices made in pursuit of freedom, explore the issues of division and try to deal with the legacy of such a tumultuous era in our shared history.
Places are numbered and participants are asked to register for the full course.
To register please email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Where are you from? Where are you really from? (February/March Programme Delivery)
Good Relations at Ards and North Down Borough Council invites you to join this online programme discussing Diversity, Culture, Tradition and Language.
The programme will run from 7pm to 9pm on the following dates:
- Wednesday 9 February
- Wednesday 16 February*
- Wednesday 23 February
- Wednesday 2 March
- Wednesday 9 March
*The programme will also include a special session on Wednesday 16 February 2022 with the Small Worlds Workshop.
Registration is essential as places are limited. For more information and to register, email: goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Holocaust Memorial Programme (January 2022)
The Good Relations team will be running a programme of events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2022 .
The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 is One Day – that we put aside to come together to remember, to learn about the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution, and the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. We do this in the hope that there may be One Day in the future with no genocide. We learn more about the past, we empathise with others today, and we take action for a better future.
Online Talks Programme
From Monday 24 January to Friday 28 January there will be a series of online talks from survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides. Delivered via Zoom, the talks will take place 7.00pm to 8.30pm.
- Monday 24th January – Rwanda
- Tuesday 25th January – Cambodia
- Wednesday 26th January – The Holocaust
- Thursday 27th January – Srebrenica/Bosnia
- Friday 28th January – Genocide in Rwanda
If you wish to register for the programme please email Goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.
* Due to the areas of discussion, this programme is not considered suitable for children under 16 years of age.
Holocaust Exhibition
There will also be a Holocaust exhibition at Bangor Carnegie Library. It will showcase artwork from local schools and community groups within the borough to commemorate the Holocaust and other genocides.
The exhibition opens on Tuesday 18th January and will run until Saturday 29th January 2022. It is free to attend and open to all during library opening hours: please check Home (librariesni.org.uk) for times. Please note, event subject to Covid restrictions.
‘Where are you from? Where are you really from? (January/February 2022)
Good Relations at Ards and North Down Borough Council invites you to join them online for a 4 week programme discussing Diversity, Culture, Tradition and Language.
The programme will run from 10am to 12noon on the following dates:
- Wednesday 12th January 2022
- Wednesday 19th January 2022
- Wednesday 26th January 2022
- Wednesday 2nd February 2022
Registration is essential as places are limited. For more information and to register, please email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Cultural Celebrations Aroundthe World - December 2021
Good Relations at Ards and North Down Borough Council, invites you to a selection of online workshops exploring some cultural celebrations from around the world.
Wednesday 8 December: Eid 7.00pm – 8.30pm. You will need: Scissors, paper, markers, glue/tape
Thursday 9 December: Polish Christmas Celebrations 10.00am – 11.30am.You will need: Scissors, paper and glue/tape
Monday 13 December: Chinese New Year – Year of the Tiger 2.00pm – 3.30pm. You will need: Nothing– this is session is movement focused
Tuesday 14 December: Diwali – Indian Festival of Light 7.00pm – 8.30pm. You will need: Paper and pen
Thursday 16 December: Mexican Cinco de Mayo Festival 10.00am – 11.30am. You will need: Nothing – this session is movement focused
Join us for any or all of the workshops!
Please register your interest at goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk requesting the workshop/s you wish to attend.
It Takes Allsorts 2021 Programme (Sept to Dec 2021)
Good Relations has organised a series of free-to-attend 'It Takes Allsorts' virtual events that provide the opportunity to learn about issues that affect many people in our community.
From Mental Health in Young People to Domestic Violence, as well as The Local Impact of Brexit, and Scams, each session will cover specific topics with qualified guest speakers.
Dates are:
- Monday 6 September (12pm-1pm): Mental Health in Young People
- Tuesday 5 October (12pm-1pm): The Local Impact of Brexit
- Wednesday 4 November (12pm-1pm): Domestic Violence
- Thursday 5 December (12pm-1pm): Scams
To find out more about each session or to sign-up, email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk with details of the session that you would like to attend.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Mental Health in Young People on Monday 6 September from 12pm–1pm
The presenter will be Colleen Campbell from MindWise, a leading mental health charity in Northern Ireland. Colleen is the Self Management Programme Co-Ordinator for the charity.
Run by more than 100 staff and 80 volunteers, they provide advocacy and advice, and train workplaces to understand and support good mental health. The charity delivers over 30 key services to more than 1000 people affected by mental health issues every day. Colleen works within the Belfast and South Eastern Trust areas, coordinating the self-management programme. This service supports and facilitates people in taking active steps towards their own recovery. The courses are for people with experience of mental ill health/ at risk of mental ill health or families or carers of those with mental health challenges.
Colleen's Allsorts presentation will provide insights and information about young people’s resilience. She will share advice and guidance about what parents/carers/members of the community can do to help support young people.
Brexit and The NI Protocol, on Tuesday 5 October 2021 from 12pm–1pm
The presenter will be Katy Hayward, Professor of Political Sociology at Queen’s University Belfast. Katy's Allsorts talk will examine the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, its purpose and its implications. She will offer analysis and explanation of the elements which are proving the most controversial and often misunderstood.
She will also outline what we might expect all this to mean for Northern Ireland in the short to medium term.
Professor Hayward has presented to media, policy, and civic audiences worldwide on the subject of Brexit, the Protocol and the island of Ireland. She is the author of four reports for the Irish Central Border Area Network on Brexit and the Border.
She is also a UK Senior Fellow in a Changing Europe think-tank, where she leads a project on ‘The future and status of Northern Ireland after Brexit’.
Her two latest books were published in summer 2021: 'What do we know and what should we do about…The Irish Border' and a co-authored book on 'Northern Ireland, a Generation after Good Friday'.
Domestic Violence, onThursday 4 November 2021 from 12pm–1pm
The presenter will be Sheila Simons, Sector Manager for Safeguarding Children (South Eastern HSC Trust, Co Down Region) and Chair of the South Eastern Area Domestic and Sexual Abuse Partnership.
Sheila's Allsorts presentation will cover the prevalence and impact of domestic abuse and the support that is available. She will also discuss the specific criminal law offence of domestic abuse contained in the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act 2021.
Sheila is a qualified Social Worker with over 30 years experience in Family Support / Child Protection Services. She developed an interest in Domestic Violence after seeing its prevalence in many of the families she supported.
Her involvement with Women’s Aid gave her greater understanding of the experiences of women and children exposed to violence and abuse within their homes. Since 2005 Sheila has chaired the SE area Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Partnership, working on initiatives to raise awareness of the impact on those living with domestic abuse.
In June 2019 Sheila was awarded an MBE for her services to Women and Children by HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.
Frauds and Scams, on Thursday 5 December from 12pm-1pm
The presenter will be Richard Gill, Ulster Bank Community Banker Team Leader, Customer Engagement & Distribution,Retail Banking.
As we are all now more likely to be victim of fraud than any other type of crime, it is vital we understand and are equipped to deal with the threats we all face. Falling victim to fraud or a scam can have devastating consequences - not just on a person's personal life but it can also affect their work.
As a Community Banker for Ulster Bank, Richard's role is to help keep people safe. Presentation attendees will get a better understanding of how fraud and scams work. There will also be lots of advice on what to do to ensure you don’t fall victim, and this can be shared with friends and family.
By better understanding frauds and scams, you can avoid the many potential pitfalls, keeping your money and personal details out of the hands of criminals.
Remembering the Holocaust (5 October - 23 November 2021)
An 8 week programme running on Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm, delivered online via Zoom. Participants should be able to attend every week.
Programme Start Date: Tuesday 5th October 2021
Programme end date: Tuesday 23 November 2021
Through a series of 8 workshops, participants will explore and challenge their own prejudices and discrimination, stereotyping and equality issues, diversity within society today and the anti-Semitic events of the Holocaust. They will gain an understanding of the horrors of the Holocaust; its terminology and definitions; the distinctive features of this period; the origins of anti-Semitism and post-war Germany 1919-1939.
The project is designed to get beyond participants' own perceptions of history and nationality, to understand what happened and why. By looking at the pyramid of hate and the eight classifications of Genocide, participants will challenge issues at home, identifying our own prejudices and discrimination.
To register for the programme please contact goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Exploring Ards and North Down 2 (11-15 October 2021)
Good Relations invite you to explore online some of the shared history of the Borough of Ards and North Down in this new programme for October 2021.
Each day from 8.00pm-9.30pm we will visit a different town or village and uncover layers of history from before Christianity to the arrival of Ulster-Scots, the Troubles and modern events.
Monday 11 to Friday 15 October 2021
Monday 11th October, 8pm - Holywood
Tuesday 12th October, 8pm - Greyabbey and Kircubbin
Wednesday 13th October, 8pm - Portavogie
Thursday 14th October, 8pm - Ballywalter, Millisle and Carrowdore
Friday 15th October, 8pm - Killinchy and Ballygowan
Programme delivered via Zoom each evening from 8.00pm-9.30pm with Lolly Spence, Hidden Ulster Tours and Ann Donnelly from Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive.
To register please email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Living History Project: - places of significance during the Decade of Centenaries (Oct/Nov 2021)
Living History Project: A FREE 4 Week Cultural History Discovery Programme **FULLY BOOKED**
Visit places of cultural and historical significance that have been included in the ‘Decade of Centenaries’ and discuss their influences on our society today.
This initiative welcomes participants from all cultural backgrounds. However, due to the areas of discussion, this programme is not considered suitable for children under 16 years of age. Prospective participants should be aware that a certain level of mobility will be required to take part in this programme, please contact us to discuss your requirements. A light lunch will be provided each week.
Those wishing to register should be available and register for the full 4 week programme. Times are subject to change.
Date / Visit / Time
Week 1 Wednesday 27 October 2021 Linen Hall Library, Belfast 10am to 4pm
Week 2 Wednesday 3 November 2021 Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast 10am to 4pm
Week 3 Wednesday 10 November 2021 Somme Centre, Newtownards 10am to 4pm
Week 4 Wednesday 17 November 2021 Titanic Centre, Belfast 10am to 4pm
Registration is essential by Friday 8th October 2021
For more details contact: Donna Mackey on 07970847772 or to register - Email: goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Please note, participants will be required to follow current covid guidelines.
Good Relations Week 2021 - Online Programme - Ulster-Scots, Irish folklore and traditions (Monday 20 September – Friday 24 September)
As part of Good Relations Week 2021, Ards and North Down Borough Council will be hosting a series of talks on Ulster-Scots, Irish folklore and traditions from Monday 20 September – Friday 24 September. Each session will take place via Zoom from 7.00pm - 8.30pm.
Monday 20 September
Liam Logan and Linda Ervine: Ulster-Scots and Irish language - words, connections and similaritiesTuesday 21 September
Tuesday 21 September
Marianne McShane: Irish folk beliefs - traditions and superstitions
Wednesday 22 September
Lolly Spence: General folklore
Thursday 23 September
Réamonn Ó Ciaráin and the mythological figure of Cúchulainn
Friday 24 September
Willie Drennan: Ulster-Scots storytelling on cultural traditions and music
For more information or to register email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
#GRW21
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NORTHERN IRELAND (21-24 June 2021)
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NORTHERN IRELAND
As part of Ards and North Down Council’s NI 100 programme, the Good Relations team invites you to attend ‘The Establishment of Northern Ireland’ programme of events from Monday 21 June –Thursday 24 June 2021 7-9pm.
The programme comprises four sessions:
- Monday 21 June: ’The Establishment of Northern Ireland in June 1921: Historical Background to the Partition of Ireland 1900-21’ (using a newsreel archive with Ann Donnelly of NI Screen) - Dr Éamon Phoenix
- Tuesday 22 June: ‘Stretch out the Hand’: A drama written by historian Philip Orr depicting the King’s visit to Belfast in 1921. Followed by a Q and A session.
- Wednesday 23 June: ‘Triumph and Failure: Carson and Craig and the Political Settlement of 1920-25’ - Dr Éamon Phoenix
- Thursday 24 June: ‘The Worst Form of Partition’: ‘Joe Devlin, the Northern Nationalists and the Partition of Ireland, 1914-25’ - Dr Éamon Phoenix
All sessions will be conducted via Zoom. To register, please email: goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Stretch out the Hand (23-25 March)
Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Good Relations team invites you to join us for a film screening about the inauguration of the Northern Ireland parliament in 1921. King George V was part of this momentous event in Belfast and delivered a speech with a call for reconciliation.
Entitled ‘Stretch out the Hand’, the film features a young couple who played a role in the ceremony and depicts both their excitement and worries about the future.
Written by author Philip Orr and performed by Christine Clark and Glenn McGivern, the film includes black and white footage from the period and is an ideal prelude to discussion.
Join us via Zoom. To register please email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Entwined Misconceptions (18-19 March 2021)
Following on from our series of Remembrance talks in November 2020, Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Good Relations Team invites you to join Carol Walker MBE of the Somme Association who will return to deliver talks on the following subjects:
- The British Indian Army in the First World War - Khudadad Khan VC
- The Red Hand and The Shamrock
Talks will be delivered from 11.00am to 12.15pm via Zoom on:
- Thursday 18th March
- Friday 19th March
Each talk will be followed by questions and open discussion.
To register, please e-mail: goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
For Your Freedom and Ours - Commemorating Polish Airmen (23-25 March 2021)
To commemorate the Polish airmen and others who gave their lives for our freedom during World War II, a lectern will be erected at Ballyhalbert Memorial on 25 March 2021. To mark the installation of this memorial, Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Good Relations team will host a series of three online talks by Maciek Bator (founder of ‘For Your Freedom and Ours’ company).
During these sessions, Maciek will provide an overview of war and civilian graves, crash sites, memorials and exhibitions related to the Polish Airmen across County Down and beyond.
- Tuesday 23 March -The History of the Polish Air Force
- Wednesday 24 March - RAF Ballyhalbert and the Polish perspective
- Thursday 25 March - Polish Traces in County Down
All talks will be delivered via Zoom from 10:00 – 11:30am.
If you wish to register for the programme, please email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Exploring Ards and North Down, and what makes us unique (22-26 March 2021)
Good Relations invite you to explore online some of the shared history of the Borough of Ards and North Down with Blue badge guide Lolly Spence and NI Screen film archives.
Each day from 8.00pm-9.30pm we will visit a different town or village and uncover layers of history from before Christianity to the arrival of Ulster-Scots, the Troubles and modern events.
- Donaghadee – Monday 22 March
- Comber – Tuesday 23 March
- Portaferry – Wednesday 24 March
- Newtownards – Thursday 25 March
- Bangor – Friday 26 March
Programmes will be delivered on ZOOM.
To register please email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Bosnia and its relevance to Northern Ireland (29-30 March 2021)
Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Good Relations Team invite you to join us to explore the connections between Northern Ireland and Bosnia.
Over the course of two evenings, we will discuss the background to the Bosnian War and its relevance to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Guests will include Nedzad Avdic, a survivor of the Srebrenica genocide, chaired by Peter Osborne.
Talks will be delivered by Remembering Srebrenica via Zoom from 7:00 – 9:00pm on:
- Monday 29th March
- Tuesday 30th March
Each talk will be followed by questions and open discussion.
To register, please e-mail: goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Stronger Together EU Settlement Scheme Support Project
30th June 2021 is the deadline for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). EU/EEA citizens living in UK must apply to the Scheme to secure their immigration status post-Brexit and protect their rights here.
The Stronger Together Consortium has been funded by the Home Office to provide help and support to vulnerable EU citizens with this process since April 2019. To date, the Consortium has assisted 25,000 people in making an application out of a total of 58,600 applications made in Northern Ireland up to April 2020. However many, including those most vulnerable, have not yet applied. Find out more at:
https://www.strongertogetherni.org/immigration/eu-settlement-scheme-support-project/
Information about the Settlement Scheme is available in EU languages at the gov.uk website
Downloadable information and publicity materials to raise awareness about the Scheme and ‘how to’ guides are available in English HERE
Stronger Together EUSS partner organisations work across Northern Ireland. They provide free bilingual and local support, as well as specialised immigration advice within established and trusted ethnic minority support organisations in applying to the Scheme. They also provide assistance in accessing other public & community services.
Contact on 02887750211 from Monday to Friday, emailing euss@strongertogetherni.org, info@strongertogetherni.org or by contacting individual partners (details for ANDBC area below)
YMCA NorthDown
10-12 High Street, Bangor, County Down BT20 5AY
Area covered: Bangor, Newtownards, Downpatrick & Lisburn
Languages: Latvian, Russian, Polish
julija@northdownymca.org and kinga@northdownymca.org
Ph: 028 9145 4290
Advice NI
Need help with gaining Settlement status in the UK?
The Independent Advice Network provides free advice & information on the following:
- Immigration advice
- Practical assistance and support to complete EUSS application/s
- Language support & interpreting services
- Digital support & equipment/digital provision
- Information sessions for EU nationals, NGOs, service providers, employers, trade unions, embassies/consulates
Contact FREEPHONE helpline to speak to an adviser
Telephone 0800 915 4604 - lines are open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
Text action to 81025
Email: advice@adviceni.net
For further information or to find your local advice centre visit www.adviceni.net
Open the Advice NI Poster in PDF
World of Words - exploring myths and legends from different cultures - March 2021
‘World of Words’ is an online diversity programme using the medium of storytelling to explore traditional folklore myths and legends from different cultures, the lessons they can teach and the global similarities of the stories we tell. First run last year, this popular programme returns with new storytellers in March 2021.
The programme will be delivered on ZOOM and run from Monday 1 to Friday 5 March 2021 daily at 12pm-1pm.
If you would like to register for the programme please email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
SAME / Difference – To See Ourselves Creative Workshops (February/March 2021)
A series of creative writing & photography workshops exploring the themes of identity, cultural awareness and expressing ourselves.
Delivered on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings on ZOOM.
Creative Writing – Tuesdays 10.30am – 12.30pm. 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd Feb & 3rd March.
Photography – Thursdays 7.30pm – 8.30pm. 4th, 11th,18th, 25th Feb & 4th March.
Showcase event on 11th March 2021 – Online celebratory event to share the writing and images generated by participants.
Workshops are free, participants are required to attend both aspects of the programme where possible.
To register please email: goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
To find out more download the SAME / Difference - To See Ourselves poster
Towards Reconciliation in Northern Ireland Lecture Series (23-25 February 2021)
A three-part lecture series by Professor Peter Shirlow followed by Q and A
Programme delivered via Zoom on 23, 24,25 February 2021 from 7pm - 9pm
- Where have we come from?
- What does change mean?
- The next generation of reconciliation
If you would like to register for the programme please email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
How is COVID19 affecting different generations?
Good Relations is running a new programme focusing on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting different generations.
If you are a grandparent with a grandchild aged between 12 and 14 years old, and would be willing to answer a few questions online please contact goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Places of Worship in Ards and North Down
