Belfast Harbour supports award-winning youth programme
Belfast Harbour has provided funding for an award-winning youth programme called Multiple Realities, which helps to boost confidence through dance and photography.
The programme, which is designed for young people across Belfast, is run by WheelWorks, a youth arts charity based in the city, which aims to give young people the opportunity to learn new skills and express themselves through traditional and digital art.
The focus and themes of the Multiple Realities programme included topics such as identity, cultural diversity, discrimination and social exclusion, all explored through creative learning. Dance workshops were created with the aim of improving both mental and physical well-being and engaging and empowering young people using artistic techniques.
The project ran for 8 weeks in Hammer Youth Club and concluded with a photograph exhibition and performance that symbolised the themes of the project, in front of an audience that included fellow young people from the centre, friends, family members and staff.
Jenni Barkley Belfast Harbour’s Communications and Corporate Responsibility Manager said:
“We were attracted by WheelWorks’ fantastic ethos of accessibility and participation and their enthusiasm about giving young people a fresh experience.
“The innovative approach of incorporating technology with traditional performing arts made it relevant for the young people involved. We were delighted to support the Multiple Realities programme.”
Helen Di Duca, Multiple Realities Co-ordinator said:
“We are grateful for the support we received from Belfast Harbour for our project. Helping our children to gain self-confidence and build their self-esteem is essential, especially in today’s world where the rise of social media and the digital world can have a harmful impact on their mental health.
“The children were able to master dance routines which gave them a sense of accomplishment, which was fantastic to see. The programme gave the children an insight into how they view themselves and others and was an opportunity for them to understand their true selves.”
