Diocesan News28 Jan 16

’Journey Together’ Project Launched

A major new project has been launched in the North West which brings pupils from a dozen schools together to study two significant historical events which happened a century ago.

‘Journey Together – North West Schools Jointly Remembering the Centenary 2016’ is a regional church initiative which involves pupils from across the community, and from both sides of the border, in collaborative exploration of the Battle of the Somme and the Easter Rising, whose centenaries are being commemorated this year.

The project began on Wednesday with a workshop delivered by the Nerve Centre, under its Creative Centenaries programme. The ‘Journey Together’ project has been embraced by 12 second level schools in the North West and involves 60 students.

The young people will take part in joint visits to the Somme Centre and Dublin, and in a series of workshops and other events which will explore this complex period in our history sensitively and imaginatively. A major event is planned for Derry–Londonderry Guildhall in May 2016, to mark the completion of this phase of the project.

‘Journey Together’ is being coordinated by The Churches’ Trust, an interdenominational organisation founded 30 years ago by local church leaders in response to the level of deprivation in the area and the necessity to work together to provide essential services to those in need. Central to the ethos of the Churches’ Trust is promotion of a more united, shared and cohesive society, working in collaboration with churches, schools and a diverse range of community groups.

The leaders of the four main churches locally say they believe ‘Journey Together’ will have a positive impact on education and community relations in the North West. “We are grateful to participating schools for their support and enthusiasm, and to the various organisations which have joined us in providing financial support. We trust that the pupils involved will find this a rewarding learning experience and we hope that the social and educational benefits from ‘Journey Together’ will extend well beyond May.”

Fiona Fagan (right) of the Churches’ Trust with pupils and staff from the twelve schools taking part in the ‘Journey Together’ project. On left is Niall Kerr from the Nerve Centre, which delivered the first workshop.