Completion of REACT Phase 2 Project

This was a very busy year for the DDCDA in building relation with our neighbours across the border in Co Armagh under the IFI funded Integrating Communities Programme. This was a follow on from the interaction of our 5 members who participated in the NICVA Leadership Programme in 2009.

Phase 1 of this current project involved getting to know our partners - REACT (Reconciliation, Education And Community Training), who who provide services to mostly Protestant groups in and around the city. This involved some meet & greet session, study visits and good relations training and also an opportunity to apply for £5,000 small scale grant to develop and strengthen relations further as Phase 2 of the project.

Our successful joint application resulted in a very successful Then & Now Digital Photography project which took place over June & July. It involved 4 sessions of Digital Photography training held over 2 days in Doohamlet National school, which co incidently fell on the same days as the Community Garden – so both groups met for lunch in the hall and our new friends left inspired with a very positive image of Community Spirit in action in Doohamlet. It also included two very successful walking tours of doohamlet and Armagh with the grand finale held on the 6th September 2012 with a wonderful celebration in Armagh City Hotel where over 30 people from both communities chatted and dined and committed to the next phase of the Project. Some photos from the project are included below.

A joint application has been made for Phase 3 of the Programme and we are waiting on final confirmation that our application for funding for the “Crossing The Border “ Phase has been successful. This will be a much larger project and will include a much broader range of activities and events. We look forward to running these events along with our Project Partners REACT over the coming year, and we hope everyone in Doohamlet will get involved and get some benefit from the project. Fingers crossed there'll be more information soon!!

The DDCDA would like to thank Anne Malone, PJ Harte and Brigid Ann Finnegan for their involvement in running this project and congratulate them on their success with it.

Digital Photography Project - We're looking for Participants

We are looking for participants to take part in a digital photography project we are running with REACT.

The DDCDA has joined together with a group from Armagh called REACT (Reconciliation, Education and Community Training) to deliver a cross-border community project. The project is well underway and we are getting to know our cross border partners beteer. Before the end of last year we had an exchange visit and 2 members of each organisation had a very enjoyable residential trip to Dublin at the beginning of November. Health and Safety training and Child Protection Training has also been completed, and we are now at a stage where we can roll out our community project.

A project has been identified and funding has been approved for the community project, which is to invite 15/20 local people of all ages from both communities to come together to participate in a photography project. The aim is to take digital photographs of images and features from both communities which will form the basis for peace building dialogue and debate among both communities.

The project will involve 2 half day sessions (i in Doohamlet and i in Armagh, possibly on Saturday mornings) exploring ideas for relevant material. 4 basic digital photography sessions will be delivered to enhance the photos and possibly produce a calendar or Christmas cards with the images. This will be followed by 2 informal workshops to raise awareness and tolerance of diversity. The project will run from mid-February - weather permitting, until the end of May and will involve no more than 10 sessions.

We are looking for people to get involved in this project. it will be a fun experience, giving you a chance to learn /improve your digital photography skills, while also learning about and appreciating our surroundings in Doohamlet and Armagh. All agegroups are invited to participate - it may be something you could do with friends or as a family. If you would like to be involved in this innovative venture email us at contactddcda@gmail.com or contact any member of the DDCDA. If you have a camera bring it along, but spares will also be available for participants who do not have a camera.

REACT Project

The DDCDA is participating in a cross-border project with an Armagh group called REACT in the Integrating Community Organisations Programme. The project has been ongoing for the past few months and will continue until the end of 2012. DDCDA members are regularly meeting with cross-border colleagues and engaging in learning, information sharing and developing relations.

The ultimate aim of the project is to organise a community project in Doohamlet. Details of the project will be released soon.