Council marks Good Relations Week

The Council will mark Good Relations Week, which takes place from Monday 20 -Sunday 26 September with an online programme. This year’s fitting theme ‘Brighter Days Ahead’ will celebrate and highlight a range of youth projects which will engage, inspire and educate, creating opportunities for personal development which in turn will lead to a prosperous future. The projects will explore many of the issues which affect our youth today and how society can support them.

The initiative is co-ordinated regionally by the Community Relations Council and supported by the Northern Ireland Executive’s, Together Building a United Community Strategy. Through a range of video creation, shown across the Council’s social media channels, we will showcase the great work being carried out by young people across our Borough from groups who have received funding for Youth Engagement which includes:

• Newtownabbey Arts and Culture Network (NACN) - Creative Diversionary Youth Programme
• Impact Network NI - Youth Empowerment Programme
• Stoneworks Gym – The Flex Programme
• Croi Eanna, Rathenraw Youth Centre, Mayfield Community Association, Ionad Teaghlaigh Ghleann Darach, Bawnmore, District Residents Association - Summer Outreach Diversionary Programme

We will also showcase multi-cultural arts and craft videos during this week.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Billy Webb said;

“Our young people have suffered greatly throughout the pandemic with the lack of social activities and engagement. These Youth programmes are a great support, helping our young people to make better choices and providing them with the right skills which will enable them to have a brighter future.”

The Mayor will host an event later this year at Theatre at The Mill to celebrate the contribution and efforts of the participants.