In 2009, ARCHES was granted funding from the International Fund for Ireland to carry out a 3-year Community Relations Project. This project, known as the Bridges Project, was managed by Ann McGuinness and was based in one of the units in ARCHES Mews. The aim of the project was to improve the capacity of local residents and groups in Randalstown and district to address sectarianism and build positive cross community relationships and stimulate positive community activity. A total of 22 local groups were engaged in the programme which included women’s groups, men’s groups, youth groups, sports groups, churches, etc and representatives of the groups came together to take part in activities and discussions to explore their differences and misperceptions and to build a better understanding of each other’s background and culture. Sessions were facilitated by a number of delivery agencies and individuals including Antrim Borough Council, NEELB and TIDES.
Training and discussion sessions were held in the Bridges Project premises and educational visits were made to key locations important in our shared history where guides explained the history of the place which in many cases had previously been imperfectly or partially understood. During the last year of the project a Youth Forum was set up in conjunction with NEELB Youth Service and a group of up to 50 young people benefitted from involvement with the project. The whole project was extremely successful and much positive feedback was received from participants.
