Atlas Women’s Centre was one of 92 voluntary and community groups to receive support in 2021/22 from the Central Good Relations Fund by The Executive Office (TEO).
The Centre based in Lisburn, provides a safe, inclusive and enjoyable learning space for all sections of the local community.
The Centre was awarded £27, 000 to run its Learning and Living Together project which addressed T:BUC Key Priority 2: Our Shared Community.
A variety of interesting and exciting community learning programmes were delivered on topics such as history, music, singing, crafts, health, gardening and wellness. All the activities addressed the understanding of participants’ relationships with self and others.
The successful project allowed participants from diverse cultural backgrounds to learn together and from each other. The activities were co-designed by Centre users, staff, volunteers and facilitators. This broad involvement in the design of the programmes meant that participants’ needs were identified and ensured their long-term commitment to the project.
The activities helped to increase confidence, awareness, empathy, trust and understanding of different values, beliefs and cultures in the participants. Friendships were forged and isolation, loneliness, anger, stress and negativity were reduced.
A total of 197 participants, aged between 20 and 90-years-old, completed the project:
- 23% identified as Catholic
- 43% identified as Protestant
- 34% identified as Other.
Feedback
The following comments are feedback from participants about the project:
This class has enabled me to control stress & be self-aware of the good and bad in my life.”
Exceeded expectations, felt safe and welcomed to share worries.”
I have gained more self-confidence and learned new skills and mindfulness.”
Central Good Relations Fund
The project was funded through TEO’s Central Good Relations Fund.