‘Crossing the Bann’ DVD describes a project led by the NEELB Youth Service. The project is focused in Coleraine, where young people from loyalist and republican backgrounds are encouraged , under guidance, to express their views frankly and openly.
Five youth workers went out into the community to undertake detached youth work with the aim of trying to engage with and involve young people who were known to be involved in sectarian behaviours on both sides of the bridge.
The project was a 2- staged approach:
1. Single identity work within their own setting.
2. Contact work, engaging in a meaningful way with each other and accepting difference and diversity.
It explores the importance of dialogue, outreach, the acceptance of others and the views they hold.
Those involved describe how progress is being made and while building peace may be difficult at times, it is very rewarding. The next step is to reach out further and spread the programme with others.