Download - Different Voices 4
VOLUNTEERS ‘FOCUS’ ON YOUNG PEOPLE’S VIEWS
=Volunteers share their stories! Isolation explored
By: Grace (16), Emma
(17), Aine (17), Fiona
(17), Megan (17) and
Michael (18)
HAVE YOURSAY!
=
Issue 4A newsletter by Foyle
HEADLINERS volunteers
are playing a key role in
representing the views of
young people and how they
are portrayed in the media in
Northern Ireland as part of a
unique study by Queen’s
University, Belfast.
The Headliners volunteers
formed the very first focus
group in PhD student Faith
Gordon’s study.
Faith said: “I want to find out
what children and young people
think about how the media
portray them, as often people
don’t ask children and young
people their views.”
Focus group volunteers; Grace,
Emma, Aine, Fiona, Megan and
Michael all took time out to talk
about their thoughts on the
topic as well as giving
suggestions on how things could
be improved.
“At Headliners we try to be the
antidote to the bad press young
people get by reporting on good
things that young people do. I did a
story on young carers who don’t
get the recognition they deserve. In
a newspaper any good story about
young people, like GCSE or A-level
results is kinda done in a
patronising way.” Grace (16)
“I think it's important for us to get
young people's views on issues that
affect them. Most newspapers look
at issues from adults' perspectives.”
Emma (17)
“Every story you would see in a
newspaper about a topic like
racism is pretty much like another,
we look for more personal stories.”
Michael (17)
“Anybody that does volunteering
should get more media coverage.”
Megan (17)
“I think young people in sports
teams should get more coverage.”
Aine (17)
“Young people's mental health is
completely glossed over in the
media.” Grace (16)
“There should be a newspaper
column where young people give
their response to that week's
stories.” Emma (17)
These informed opinions will now
form part of Faith’s doctural
document as well as future
reports, books, articles and
lectures she gives.
“Headliners “Headliners
is an outletis an outlet
to challengeto challenge
bad news.” bad news.”
Aine (17)Aine (17)
Headliners Foyle members share their insights and opinions with Queens University PhD student Faith Gordon
(far right).
DIFFERENT VOICES
DIFFERENT VOICES
Issue 4 Different Voices.Fiona:Layout 1 12/01/2011 10:19 Page 1
Your views our news____________
This newsletter was published by Headliners Foyle, Suite 2, 23 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6PR, Tel: 02871309397, E:[email protected]
2 Different Voices, Issue 4
PAGE 3 - Former Headliner volunteer and member, NiallBradley, shares the benefits of volunteering.
PAGE 4 - Out and about: Headliners Foyle picturespecial.
PAGES 5 to 7 - A shared history - a shared experience.Catholic and Protestant volunteers explore thefutility of war in Belgium.
PAGES 8 and 9 - Break Out - young people in Letterkenny
spotlight their photographic talents on the theme of isolation.
PAGE 10 - Racism in the North West - visitors give theirviews.
PAGE 11 - Community PlacementOrganisation (CPO)Foyle View Special School shares the views ofyoung people living with disabilities.
PAGE 12- How to contact and volunteer at Headliners.
WELCOME to Issue 4 of
Different Voices which is
bursting with ideas and
articles on issues affecting
young people in the North
West today.
In this issue, we bring you up-to-date
with the latest events that
Headliners’ Foyle Bureau volunteers
have been attending as well as
hearing what’s in the hearts and
minds of young people across the
area.
International visitors gave us their
thoughts and views on racism in the
North West, especially in light of the
announcement that Derry will be
City of Culture in 2013.
Young volunteers from the Foyle
Bureau who joined a cross-
community delegation on a visit to
the battlefields of the First World
War reflect on their experiences and
the futility of war.
Letterkenny young people involved in
a Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual,
Transgender support organisation
got snap-happy with their cameras to
illustrate their feelings of isolation
and how they could feel more
integrated, while Foyle Headliners
volunteers captured their time at
Foyle View Special School.
You can also enjoy the picture special
which documents the activities of
local volunteers when they got out
and about in the North West as well
as welcoming new members from
further afield.
We always want to hear your
views on what we’re doing,
find all our contact details on
the back cover.
We hope you enjoy catching up
with all our news!
CO
NTEN
TS
Issue 4 Different Voices.Fiona:Layout 1 12/01/2011 10:19 Page 2
Different Voices, Issue 4 3
How did you find out about
Headliners?
I heard in 2001 when staff
from Headliners came to my
school and told us about the
organisation, what they do
and what they could offer us
as members and volunteers.
How long were you a
member?
Roughly speaking, I was a
member for six years. This
includes time I spent as a
volunteer.
What were you like as a
person back then?
When I first began I was a
shy, introverted individual
with few close friends.
However, as I began to feel
more comfortable in the
bureau, I started to speak out
more and offer more
opinions. I made myself
more known to other
members and this eventually
led to some of the closest
friendships I could ever have
hoped for. Not only did I
become more socially
confident but my confidence
in writing, filming, editing
and general life skills
increased ten-fold. I was able
to inject my opinions into
debates and issues that I
would have otherwise
avoided. through Headliners.
Do you feel that joining
Headliners helped you meet
people?
Oh, most definitely! Had I
not made the wide range of
friends and met the friendly
staff that I have through the
years – I would still be a shy,
somewhat childish individual
with quite possibly no real
social skills to speak of.
How much did you learn
about journalism?
Film was always a passion,
but Headliners ignited a
spark in me not only for the
thematic aspects of film, but
also the practical hands-on
elements of the process. I got
the opportunity to work with
the BBC and a production
team associated with the
nationally acclaimed Nerve
Centre in Derry. As far as
journalism/radio is
concerned, I had the
opportunity to write for both
local and national media
outlets and, due to this, I
currently write for various
university and external
magazines.
What other new experiences
did you have at Headliners?
I have been able to apply new
technical skills specifically in
film. Film is a difficult and
somewhat torturous task,
but, with the skills given to
me by Headliners I was able
to receive a grade A at A-
level and have my final film
piece submitted into the
Foyle Film Festival Orchard
Award for young film-
makers. I also had a
Headliners produced film
showcased at the Foyle Film
Festival. In working with the
BBC I got the opportunity to
have three news pieces shown
on BBC Northern Ireland.
Do you feel that joining
Headliners had an impact on
your school work?
It is because of Headliners
that I am currently sitting in
a Computer Lab at the
University of Ulster
Coleraine Campus studying
English. It is why I’m an
active and vocal member of
the Students Union (sitting on
various committees including
the overall committee). It is
why I have a passion for
literature, journalism, film
and media in general. It is
why I try to read as many
newspapers as possible in a
day. It is why I received 10
GCSEs and four A-levels. I
owe so much to Headliners as
far as my studies and my
potential career in the United
Nations are concerned.
What were the most
challenging times for you?
Easily the most challenging,
and yet most engaging and
exciting, was the BBC Blast
programme and the First
Light film project. Under
both I was given a certain
amount of freedom to direct
the projects and I was trusted
enough to ensure they
operated smoothly. Both were
major successes for me
personally and for all those
involved.
What was the most enjoyable
part of Headliners?
The most enjoyable part of
all projects I did with
Headliners, was the close knit
teamwork. Each member was
given the opportunity to add
their own ideas, come up with
solutions to problems and
generally run aspects of each
project. Also the fact that we
did so amongst friends was
great.
If you could change anything
about your time in
Headliners what would it be?
That I moved to Coleraine
full-time to concentrate on
studies as it does not allow
me to continue to work with
Headliners as a volunteer.
Hopefully, once my degree is
complete I can come back
and give back to such a great
place.
Has your Headliners
experience shaped your
outlook on life?
Well I know from personal
experience how much
Headliners can do in making
a difference to the lives of
young people. It helped me
through the death of my
brother and showed me that
although there is evil in the
world, an equal or elevated
amount of kind-heartedness
and decency also exists.
Would you recommend
Headliners to others?
In this day and age it is less
likely that a graduate student
will get a career job with that
qualification alone. However,
I feel that because of the
exemplary training that I
received I have higher
chances than most to find a
job in my desired career.
Also I have the social skills to
find the friends and create
the family that will hopefully
make my future incredibly
prosperous personally and
financially.
Due to this I would
recommend it to absolutely
everybody.
I would like to point out that
reminiscing on past
experiences with Headliners
has put a great big smile on
my face even though I face
looming exams.
Aspiring film director and former Headliners member/volunteer Niall (20) reveals how
Headliners continues to impact on his professional and personal life
By: Sharmin (19)
A blast from
the past
Issue 4 Different Voices.Fiona:Layout 1 12/01/2011 10:19 Page 3
Eimer and David use the recording equipment for the first time
during the Buncrana outreach project.
A group of Japanese students share their stories about studying in
Derry.
Megan from Buncrana uses new journalism skills with
Michael, Headliners volunteer from Mencap.
Volunteers with Colum Eastwood, Mayor of Derry and Deirdre Harte,
Temporary Programme Manager, Peace III NW Cluster at the launch of
Foyle Pride where Headliners’ homophobia photography exhibition was
showcased.
Headliners volunteer Tola (17) assists with filming at the Foyle
Pride launch.
Assessing the news during an outreach session in Strabane are
Orla (14) and Leanne (14).
Lights, camera action!A round-up of Headliners Foyle in pictures
Young people reflect on their Belgium
experience and the futility of war
Making a statement ...
4 Different Voices, Issue 4
Issue 4 Different Voices.Fiona:Layout 1 12/01/2011 10:19 Page 4
Young people reflect on their Belgium
experience and the futility of war
Making a statement ...
(Right) Headliners Foyle member Eimear makes a presentation to the
audience at the Messines Experience certificate ceremony in Buncrana.
In March 2010, three groups of
Protestant and Catholic
volunteers from Glengad in
Donegal, Derry and Belfast took
part in a project exploring war
and conflict resolution which
included visits to Derry’s historic
walls, Fort Dunree, the Somme
Centre and the Boyne Centre.
These young people then travelled to
Belgium for the Messines Experience
where they visited many cemeteries,
monuments and other places of
interest.
In the course of this project,
everyone received an OCN
accreditation.
Here, we hope to offer some insight into
the challenging and rewarding project
through reflection and on-site feedback
from the young people.
Those taking part said they did so for the
following reasons: friendship; a bit of
craic; the chance to go to Belgium; to
meet new people from different cultures
that we wouldn’t normally meet; and to
learn about war and conflict and World
War 1.
“Before Belgium we visited the Somme Centre in
Belfast where we could see first hand the conditions
in the trenches in WW1. It was dedicated to the
Irish soldiers lost in the Battle of the Somme and
here we all realised the vast number of men who
gave their lives for their country.
The things we found most shocking were - rats,
underage people going to war, you got shot if you
fell asleep and how many people died in WW1.”
(Jamie)
“In Belgium we visited one of the four graveyards
dedicated to German soldiers. The atmosphere is
completely different to that of the Commonwealth
memorials. There are several mass graves and the
headstones are black whereas the British
cemeteries had white headstones and less of an
eerie feel to them.
Some of the comments made at the time were:
“The British one is nicer, more looked after”; “The
British one is brighter and more peaceful, “I
disliked the way they put the Germans into a mass
grave”.
“We visited Thiepval
Memorial where there are
the names of 72,000 soldiers
who were never found.”(Andrew)
When we were in Belgium, we visited Thiepval
memorial where there are the names of 72,000
soldiers who were never found. We also visited the
grave of John Conden the youngest recorded
soldier lost in the war, he was merely 14 years old.
We also visited Tynecot Cemetery which is the
largest Commonwealth graveyard with 12,000
graves and 35,000 names of soldiers who went
missing in action.
There is a cross in the centre of the cemetery which
allowed us to climb up and get a view of the vast
number of headstones.
Andrew, (16), Taughmona: “I enjoyed climbing up
the cross.
Samuel (16), Taughmona: “I enjoyed getting to
know everyone and finding out about John
Conden.”
Samuel (15), Taughmona: “It was good getting to
learn more stuff about the war.”
Everyone involved in the Messines Experience was
impacted by the fact that Protestants and Catholics
set aside their differences to fight alongside each
other in this war.
One of the most thought provoking visits in
Belgium was to Major Willie Redmond’s grave.
Redmond was an Irish Catholic MP serving in the
16th Irish Division who was wounded in the Battle
of Messines.
Private John Meek from Ballymoney was a
Protestant stretcher-bearer in the 36th Ulster
Division who came to Redmond’s aid by helping
him off the battlefield.
Meek, a member of the original Ulster Volunteer
Force, would’ve strongly opposed Redmond’s
nationalist ideas and yet he disobeyed orders and
risked his own life to help his comrade in arms.
The spirit of brotherhood gave all the young people
on the project food for thought as they returned to
Northern Ireland where divisions and sectarianism
are still commonplace in many communities.
The Messines Experience will stay with all the
young people involved for years to come. It will
hopefully help to inform our decisions and
behaviour as adults in the future when faced with
war, conflict and sectarianism in our own lives and
communities.
The aim of the Messines Experience was to make
us young people realise the effects of war and
conflict - “My outlook on war has changed because
the 36th and 16th came together to fight in the
war.” Samuel, 16
So the Messines Experience gets the thumbs up
from everyone - apart from one little detail.
“Would change getting up early!” was a common
complaint! It would appear that some people didn’t
get enough beauty sleep!
By Eimear (17)
Different Voices, Issue 4 5
Issue 4 Different Voices.Fiona:Layout 1 12/01/2011 10:19 Page 5
“T
he
fa
ct
tha
t C
ath
oli
cs a
nd
Pro
testa
nts
fo
ug
ht
tog
eth
er
in W
W1
ma
ke
s y
ou
wo
nd
er
wh
y t
hey
sti
ll f
igh
t w
ith
ea
ch
oth
er
so
mu
ch
.”
'“I
sa
t a
t th
e P
oo
l o
f P
ea
ce
in
Be
lgiu
m w
he
re a
ma
ssiv
e e
xp
losio
n h
ap
pe
ne
dd
uri
ng
WW
1 a
nd
I r
ea
lly
sta
rte
d t
o q
ue
sti
on
my
de
cis
ion
ab
ou
t jo
inin
g t
he
“It still makes me sad to think
about John Condon dying in a war
at only 14 when he should have
been enjoying his life, looking
forward to the future.”
“I kept wondering what was going through men’s heads when they were dying in the trenches. Was the war
really worth it?”
“T
he
re n
ev
er w
as a
go
od
wa
r or a
ba
d p
ea
ce.”
“In
pe a
ce, s
ons
b ury
the
ir f a
the r
s; in
war
, fat
hers
bu r
y t h
eir
sons
.”
Young people reflect...
6 Different Voices, Issue 4
Issue 4 Different Voices.Fiona:Layout 1 12/01/2011 10:19 Page 6
Young people reflect...
Different Voices, Issue 4 7
“The longer we have wars in
the world the more cynical
we will become.”
“The WW1 mass graves with hundreds of men buried
in them really show what a waste of life war is.”
“You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake.”
Issue 4 Different Voices.Fiona:Layout 1 12/01/2011 10:19 Page 7
Dip into Break Out‘COMING out’ is a major issue for any young person
living anywhere in the world, but Headliners wanted
to find out if gay teenagers here in the North West
region of Donegal felt anymore isolated because of the
rural nature of the county.
Most of the young people we
spoke to agreed that they felt
Donegal was a lot less open
than larger urban areas like
Dublin, but they’ve found out
that there is an outlet for them
in their midst in the form of the
Break Out group which meets
every week in Letterkenny.
We went along to hear their views on
feeling isolated – and challenged them
to express those emotions through the
medium of photography.
The thought-provoking work
displayed opposite is by Karen (top);
Chris (centre left); Kevin (centre
right); and Michelle (bottom).
Kevin (18), who is in his final year at
school in Letterkenny, said: “In a
county like Donegal - I think it’s the
third largest - I think it’s important
we branch out to another service in
West Donegal, in the Gaeltacht area,
because to make people come in from
that distance is a bit much. We could
have smaller services in different
places, even just a couple of gay
friends, you don’t need a huge group,
it’s just to feel connected to
something. We are a big county and
it’s not like we have a train or regular
bus service, well we do have a couple
of buses, but if you weren’t in a
financial situation to pay every
Saturday, it’s isolating you again.”
He added: “Now that Break Out has
changed the age limit, we’re
launching the whole thing to get more
people in; people don’t know what
the service does and why they should
go but it’s just to meet other people
and have fun. We could let people
know by having posters in every
conceivable place, even corner shops
in the middle of nowhere, cause
chances are someone there will see
it.”
“A lot of people still don’t know the
group’s here and even if they do,
they’re not 100% sure what it is, a lot
of people think it’s a counselling
service!” said Karen (17).
Another 17-year-old girl added: “I
think the most important thing is just
to be there for anyone who is LGBT,
we’re here in the group and we’re
ready to talk to anyone who is
experiencing isolation.”
Nineteen-year-old college student
Chris said: “Most young people don’t
have confidence to tell anyone, not
just confidence in themselves but
confidence in their friends and family.
Having good examples of these
situations where everything turns out
alright is a good way for a lot of
young people to get confidence.
“Most of the time when you see a
LGBT film, it’s usually negative, the
stories are usually sad and emotional
but they’re not always like that, it
kind of gives the bad side, never the
good side of the story.
“Groups like this, Break Out, are
really good but there is the problem
in the rural areas as well. Technology
is always improving and
communication is always expanding
so through all forms of media there is
all this information getting out.
Access of information would, in short,
be the best way to help to improve
these things.”
It seems, then, that technology can
play its part in bringing people
together but nothing beats the human
touch.
By: Chris (16)
Different Voices, Issue 4 8
Issue 4 Different Voices.Fiona:Layout 1 12/01/2011 10:19 Page 8
9Different Voices, Issue 4
Issue 4 Different Voices.Fiona:Layout 1 12/01/2011 10:19 Page 9
Grace (16) from Headliners chats to international students at Cafe del Mondo’s Friendship Club.
“ ...when they think
they’ re different,
that’ s the start of
the problems.”
Indeed, as this
statement went to print
one Chinese family
living in Derry was still
reeling from the shock
of a racially motivated
attack on their
business.
Young people are believed to
have bombarded the family
with on-going harassment
including racist, offensive
remarks.
So, is Derry a racist place?
Do foreign visitors feel happy
living and working here?
Many international students
living in Derry drop into
Café del Mondo’s Friendship
Club. We went along to ask
how they found life in the
Maiden City.
Angela said: “I think the
biggest problem is finding a
job. And I think the Irish
people have a problem with
alcohol. They drink a lot
compared to Spanish people,
I think that the Irish people
drink too much.”
She added: “Racism exists
when people don’t
understand the customs of
the people.
Georgia said: “Your
background, your culture, all
these things make you afraid
of the other person, that’s
where racism comes from.”
Abdul agreed: “I think it’s
just because of ignorance,
people don’t know what the
other people can contribute
to their society. They don’t
make them feel welcome,
education needs to be given
to the people.”
Co-ordinators of the
Friendship Club believe fear
of difference must be turned
into understanding of
variety.
In the future, it would be
great if everyone in Derry -
and around the world - could
think like Friendship Club
member Emilio: “Every
human being is the same, the
difference is the colours
because of the climates,
inside is the same red blood.”
But, unfortunately against
this backdrop it seems that
there are still some in our
midst who refuse to
acknowledge and accept the
cultures and colours of
others, with hate crimes
continuing to rise in the
region.
One step being taken to combat the
problem has been the setting up by
SEEDS of the ethnic minority
Friendship Club. Along with the
PSNI, it has launched the Hands
Off My Friends campaign which
encourages people to report crimes
to anyone they feel comfortable
with.
Abdul enjoys going along to the
club where he can meet other
international visitors as well as
local young people. He said: “I
lived in Sheffield where there was a
lot for the international community
but here I didn’t find that. But the
world is becoming a global village,
so everyone needs to know
everyone else’s culture, how to get
along with them, because they’re
going to have to go to different
places to do business.”
The young people at the Friendship
Club agree that the Hands Off My
Friends campaign is a good idea as
foreigners may not be inclined to go
to the police especially if they feel it
was a one-off incident.
Sabrina said: “Maybe they think,
‘OK, it’s just one person so I can
accept one time, why not?’. Also
you are afraid because you don’t
know if the police will understand
you and listen to you or view you as
a stupid person.”
To combat racism, she suggests: “I
think to meet foreigners, to speak
with others and try to understand
our culture because we try to
understand the Irish culture and I
like it. Maybe they wouldn’t be
afraid of us and understand that
it’s not necessary to be racist and,
little by little, people will know that
even if there are foreigners and
diversity, we can live altogether.”
Let’s hope everyone here takes
these ideas on board so that our
city really can celebrate all
cultures, not just in 2013 but every
year.
Racism Hate Division Difference
“ You are afraid because
you don’ t know if the
police will understand
you and listen to you or
take you as a
stupid person.”
‘I believe there are low level hate incidences
that happen on a day and daily basis. People
out there are suffering in silence.’
This is a quote about Derry City on a
Canadian website called ‘Stand up to Hate’.
THE City of Culture celebrations are continuing
in the North West and most people are eagerly
anticipating 2013 when Derry can showcase all
that is great and good about the area.
Is Derry a racist place? -
foreign residents speak out. By Grace (16)
10 Different Voices, Issue 4
Issue 4 Different Voices.Fiona:Layout 1 12/01/2011 10:19 Page 10
Snapshots of a really special summer...
“The biggest thing is a lack ofinformation. Rhiannon’s mum is a socialworker, so we were ahead of the curvewhen she first started showing signs ofher disease, but so many parents haven’tgot a clue where to go, or who to speakto, it’s a real problem, I think.”
“Just try to help out more
and give them support, help
them so they feel they’re
being listened to.”
“I feel that they need a biggervoice, more light shed on theirown needs, their ownopportunities.”
“I think there are not enough
after school clubs for young
disabled people - it’s hard for
disabled people to find
somewhere to go, so I think it
would be better if there were
more things open for them.”
“I don’t think the disabledare ignored entirely, but
they could beacknowledged a lot more.”
“Just treat them the way you treat all other children, and just do what you can
for them and make sure that they’re happy.”
“I just love my work, I just love working with the young people. As long as the children are safe
and happy then that’s me doing my job looking after them.”
Headliners Volunteers visited one of our Community Placement Organisations (CPO), Foyle View Special
School during their Summer Scheme and spoke to young people with special needs and disabilities, their
parents and carers about how best they could be involved in the media - and society in general. Here’s a
snapshot of the responses.
Different Voices, Issue 4 11
Issue 4 Different Voices.Fiona:Layout 1 12/01/2011 10:20 Page 11
This newsletter was published by Headliners Foyle, Suite 2, 23 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6PR, Tel: 02871309397, E:[email protected]
This
DO YOU WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER?
Contact us in: Headliners Foyle, First Floor, Suite 2,
23 Bishop Street, Derry / Londonderry, BT48 6PR. Tel: 028 7130 9397.
Mobile: (Audrey) 07759558807. Email: [email protected]
Mobile: (Malachy) 07809873761. Email: [email protected]
Web: www.headliners.org
Volunteer Today!
This project has been funded by the Department of Education (Millennium Volunteers).
Issue 4 Different Voices.Fiona:Layout 1 12/01/2011 10:20 Page 12