Arts workshops inside prisons across Northern Ireland are working to address the root causes of male violence against women and girls. They are generating fresh discussions between inmates. These impactful sessions serve as a platform for inmates to reflect on their actions and the societal implications of violence, driving awareness and potentially altering future behaviors.
In a different sphere of influence, musician Vivian Campbell, originally from Lisburn, recently captivated audiences with a performance at Radio 2 in The Park. During the event, Campbell shared insights about his musical journey, including experiences of gigging during the Troubles in Northern Ireland and his personal battle with cancer. His reflections struck a chord with all of us, reminding us of how closely art weaves with personal struggle.
Ryan Beggs has been hard at work looking for new apprenticeship openings for the last two years. Unfortunately for him, he’s had an incredibly hard time getting an employer to take a chance on him. His story highlights the broader challenges that young people continue to face in today’s labour market, especially in Northern Ireland.
A young mother from the Catholic community who just recently escaped her home. We believe she took this drastic step in order to protect her children from the sectarian abuse they were enduring. This distressing experience sheds light on the persistent social issues that continue to affect families in the region, emphasizing the need for supportive community structures.
Recent archaeological efforts in Northern Ireland have resulted in some amazing discoveries. While looking for the remains of a 400-year-old castle, a community dig recently found evidence of the oldest known settlement—8,000 years. Researchers have called these discoveries nothing less than “mind-blowing,” yielding incredible clues to the region’s rich, ancient history and cultural heritage.
On the academic front, a cohort of 34 students from Gaza have recently arrived in the UK to continue their studies in Northern Ireland. Their presence is always the start of important cultural exchanges and learning, building relationships across different communities.
Ciara Hunter knows what bold action looks like on health and education. Her impetus came from the untimely death of her sister, who passed away from a brain injury at the age of 32. Since then, Hunter has worked tirelessly to make organ donation educational lessons available to all schools. His hope is to continue to build awareness and engage younger students in discussions that raise the profile of this important issue.
Lastly, Dr. Kieran McManus, a retired surgeon, has bravely spoken out about allegations of bullying and harassment within the Belfast Trust. His testimony highlights the disturbing reality that healthcare workers are facing and the need for long overdue reforms in the system.
