YMCA/Youth Link Partnership

Living with Diversity YMCA/Youth Link Partnership

 

Living with Diversity (LWD) is an experiential, group work based diversity programme that aims to promote the participants personal and professional development and equip them

with the knowledge, skills and values that will support the improvement of community relations and broader diversity work in their particular contexts. The methodology of LWD is based on group work and action learning models with seminars, role play, learning journals and feedback, supporting the process.   

 

The LWD course delivered in partnership with the YMCA was part funded by the Youth Council for Northern Ireland ensuring that the programme was a beneficial experience to all participants. There were two residential weekends held in Greenhill YMCA and two day conferences held in Youth Link. The programme definitely improved trust and tolerance in the group and helped participants to engage more readily in Community Relations and Diversity based youth work.   

 

Guest speakers from a range of backgrounds included PSNI representatives, politicians, paramilitaries, victims and also participants that make up Section 75. Group participants watched a drama called ‘the history of the troubles according to my da’ at Belfast Opera House, reflected on all experiences and developed a cross community project. The Programme has been completed and will be evaluated accordingly by YMCA and Youth Link staff. This programme was one of the most successful in the YESIP project at tackling the difficult issues in the Northern Ireland context.