A training programme and toolkit for community workers, about all forms of intimidation and hate crime, was launched by The Junction.
The Community Relations Council supports the organization through its Core Funding Scheme.
The comprehensive, educational toolkit and accompanying training – which raises awareness and empowers individuals to play an active role in countering intimidatory attitudes, beliefs and actions – was launched on July 4th at an event taking place in Rural Community Network (RCN), Cookstown.
The Junction, a peacebuilding initiative in Derry~Londonderry, launched the toolkit in partnership with Building Communities Resources Centre (Ballymoney), and the regional support organisations Rural Community Network and Radius Housing. The organisations worked collaboratively through a co-design process to update and re-developing the toolkit and training programme which addresses intimidation.
The project engaged Blu Zebra to help with writing, and also utilised a cohort of community practitioners to test the learning materials.
The Addressing the Menace of Intimidation programme offers tailored training across nine key areas. Facilitators delivering the programme can orient training to best suit group’s interests and needs.
The toolkit and training examines intimidation through theory and tools that deepen understanding around the following key areas: different forms and types of intimidation; hate crime; why intimidation can occur; and the impact on communities and reporting.
At the soft launch event, the Co-Chairs, Partners, and Blu Zebra outlined the toolkit contents and developmental process. Ruth Gonsalves Moore (The Junction), Therese Hogg (Blu Zebra), and Katherine Murphy (BCRC) outlined the course content and the perceived need in the statutory and community sector to upskill community workers.
Katherine Murphy said, “Financial limitations mean few training opportunities exist, and regrettably when something happens, community volunteers and workers are thrown into the deep end.”
Rachel Power (RCN – Beyond Belfast Practitioner Forum) noted one of the great strengths of the project has emerged from connecting with community workers to test the toolkit. She said, “This made evident the importance of the issue to practitioners and offered a valuable opportunity to take part in a learning community giving insight and peer exchange on the issue across the sector.”
Lisa Mooney (Radius Housing) facilitated discussion on the toolkit and its possible uses with those present at the launch, the feedback of which will be utilised to present the final Toolkit/Training programme in September 2025.
This ‘what next’ conversation identified a collective desire for training to be delivered across different levels, from community groups to CEO forums and elected members across the sector, as well as a need for further cohorts of Train the Trainer facilitators.
Lisa Mooney said at the launch: “Radius Housing were delighted to collaborate with the partners in this project and will use the toolkit resources to roll out training within the organisation to support staff working on the ground across NI. We will continue to support this important work going forward with the further development of the programme.”
Ruth Gonsalves Moore added that “The Junction and Partners will now explore how to support a roll out of the Toolkit and training across Northern Ireland, alongside creating a learning community to enhance peer learning and sharing of effective practice for grass roots workers across the community sector here.”
The Junction and Partners wish to express gratitude for project funding from the Reconciliation Fund, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, as well as the core funder organisations which enable the work of The Junction and all partners.
The Addressing the Menace of Intimidation training programme is also supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.
Further Info
To avail of tailored training, please contact Ruth Gonsalves Moore by email: Ruth@thejunction-ni.org