Actively Transforming Youth and Community
Trustee’s Annual Report
For period I7 June 2023 to 16 June 2024
Achievements
We are continuing to develop …
Partnerships beyond our own groups, leading to relationships with others & creating a mutual community of interest and …
Opportunities considering cross-community, cross-cultural, reconciliation and inter-generational work within a faith context.
This was represented by organising …
(1) Senior Teenage Residential Holiday (Saturday 29 July to Friday 4 August 2023) for 14- 17-yearolds in the Lake District / Lancashire, England. Involved – 1 leader with 3 children from Northern Ireland. They enjoyed Biblical teaching and diverse activities in a safe environment, which allowed the young people to grow in confidence away from home and to make new friends from diverse backgrounds.
(2) One Parent Family Residential Holiday (Saturday 26 August to Friday 1[st] September 2023) for refugee / migrant families in the Lake District / Lancashire, England. Involved - 2 leaders with 7 adults, 8 children from Nigeria, Eritrea, Lesotho and Northern Ireland. The biblical teaching and diverse activities in a safe environment allowed them to spent valuable time together and with others - to relax and make memories. Two participants were recruited to the local ATYC team.
(3) Single Parent Family Holiday Reunion Day (Friday 27 October 2023) (9 adults, 5 children). Reacquainting our clients and their children to enable them to continue their friendships back in Northern Ireland.
(4) Winter Family Fun Day, North & West Belfast (Saturday 27 January 2024). Themed ‘Fun, Faith, and Family’ all day event to provide innovative & interactive engagement to draw individuals and families together from unionist and nationalist areas, also to include refugee and immigrant communities. Partnered with non-denominational UK Charity, involved, craftwork storytelling, games, singing and live music. Outcomes …
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2.30pm-4.00pm – primary age children - over 30 children and their parents.
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o7.30-9.30pm – for teens and young adults - 6 teenagers & their families.
The goal of this event was to identify those open to future initiatives, in order to foster good relations, mutual understanding, and acceptance of difference within a faith perspective.
ATYC fundraised and implemented this locally targeted and resourced work, supported by Capernwray Hall, a UK organisation with generational respect across Ireland.
(5) Cultra Picnic, Ulster Folk Museum, Holywood (Saturday 9 March 2024, 10.00am-2.30pm). An ‘Open House’ event for families & children, holiday quests, refugees. Partnered with nondenominational UK Charity, involved Communal Picnic, Playtime and Exploration of Cultural attractions. Outcomes …
o Approx. 70 present, Local Mayor attended, £500 support from Council. o Good Feedback and publicity for the organisation.
The occasion allowed individuals from different Cohort Groups to mix and get to know each other. Immigrant families were able to experience the local rich cultural history of their new homeland.
(6) Ballywalter Beach Day (Saturday, 18 May 2024, 11.00m-3.30pm). A ‘Fun Day’ out for our clients, their friends, and local beach users. Also, to introduce the refugee guests to local amenities, Churches and community. Partnered with non-denominational UK Charity, involved Puppetry, Beach Picnic, Scavenger Hunt & Beach Walk, Good Feedback. Outcomes …
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Approx. 37 present, poor attendance from locals.
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Enjoyed by those who attended and by the host Church
The purpose was to test the viability of ATYC working with groups on the Ards Peninsula. In this regard the response was disappointing. The Beach Day concept was successful and enjoyed by all who attended.
(7) Junior Teenage Residential Holiday (Friday 29 March to Tuesday 2 April 2024) for 11 - 13-yearolds in the Lake District / Lancashire, England. Involved - 2 leaders with 12 children from Northern Ireland. Biblical teaching and diverse activities in a safe environment, which allowed the young people to grow in confidence away from home and to make new friends from diverse backgrounds.
(8) Volunteering, Training & Development Opportunities. ATYC was involved in the following programmes, involving partner organisations…
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Local mentoring and development of leaders within our local team
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Leaders and other individuals through working with organisations in Great Britain.
(9) Monthly Get-together & Mentoring programme , ongoing with 2 single parent refugee / migrant families involving …
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Walks, picnics, visitation
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oEmotional, psychological and family support -
(10) Remote Learning and Support. Continuing to give emotional, psychological and family support to the following immigrants / foreigners after their return to their own country.
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Ugandan Stella Lakisha - mature student, living and working in Morocco.
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Ghanian Jonathan Amoah – mature refugee, returning home to his family.