Springboard Participants Celebrate Diversity With Small Worlds
- Published:
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June 30, 2025
Young people from across Belfast came together through Springboard’s Journeys programme to take part in a powerful ‘Small Worlds’ workshop at Artsekta exploring migration and diversity. The workshop was a fantastic opportunity for young people to celebrate diversity and gain fresh insight into the lived experiences of people who have migrated to Northern Ireland. Journeys is a programme supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Small Worlds is hosted by volunteers from refugee, asylum seeking and migrant backgrounds who share personal stories about their lives before moving to Northern Ireland. During the session young people were engaged in meaningful conversations about culture, religion, diversity and the experiences of those who have travelled to live here. The experience allowed young people to challenge misconceptions of minorities in Belfast and develop awareness and openness to NI’s ethnic diversity.
One young person commented,
Learning about society in other countries was an eye-opening experience. Hearing people’s real stories made me realise how little I knew about what migrants actually go through. It challenged a lot of things I’d grown up hearing. I think it’s helped me realise how important it is to build respect and understanding between all communities.
Dr. Stephanie Mitchell, director of Together CIC also shared,
It was a delight to bring our Small Worlds workshop to Springboard this week and see the young people so engaged by what they heard. In a particularly insightful comment afterwards, one young person wrote ‘stopped me from making assumptions’ – which is probably a lesson for us all to take on board.
The Journeys programme continues to empower young people across Belfast to engage with difference, build a shared and cohesive society, and lead change in their communities.
Notes to Editors:
· The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
· PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The total value of PEACEPLUS is €1.14 billion.
· PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.
Springboard Opportunities Limited
· Established in 1992, Springboard’s focuses on building capacity, encouraging citizenship and promoting peace and mutual understanding.
· They have a proven 30+ year track record and have worked with 15,000+ people in over 400 programmes, leading to exceptional outcomes of significant personal growth and increased aspiration.
· For more information, please visit www.springboard-opps.org
Journeys Initiative
Funded under the PEACEPLUS, Youth Programme Investment Area, Journeys is an innovative cross-community / cross-border initiative of tailored programme interventions to support distinct groups of young people from diverse communities in Greater Belfast, Limavady, Derry, Cavan and Monaghan to realise their potential and become active contributors in building a shared, united and more cohesive society. Together young people will build individual capacity, increase their employability and develop an appreciation of diversity and active citizenship. The initiative is led by Springboard with Roe Valley Residents Association, Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board and Creggan Enterprises as partners.
For more information contact:
Chloe Magill
Engagement & Communications Coordinator
Springboard Opportunities Limited
112-114 Donegall Street
Belfast, BT1 2GX