As Good Relations Week is marked across Northern Ireland, PlayBoard NI, the lead organisation for the development and promotion of children’s play, is highlighting the positive impact of its Spaces to Be programme on children and young people.
Delivered as part of the OUR Generation project, Spaces to Be uses play to support the development of childhood resilience and promote emotional well-being whilst building positive cross-community relationships.
OUR Generation is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). 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 Executive.
Delivering practitioner training and play sessions, including cross-community events, for children aged 9 to 11 across Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland, Spaces to Be has engaged 1,234 children and 430 key youth workers throughout the programme.
Alan Herron, CEO of PlayBoard NI said:
“We welcome the opportunity during Good Relations Week to celebrate the impact of our Spaces to Be programme. Through facilitating play sessions where we explore empathy and coping skills, encourage positive attitudes and promote peacebuilding, while also addressing complex topics, our programme enables children from diverse backgrounds to come together, recognise and accept differences, and build positive cross-community friendships.
This week’s campaign theme of ‘Include: Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day’ is reflected in the delivery of our inclusive play programmes in schools, school-age childcare settings, and communities. Through the power of play, we support the development of positive mental health and well-being, helping children to feel included and to develop a sense of belonging.”
Highlighting the wider impact of OUR Generation, Carol Scullion, Project Manager, added:
“The OUR Generation project is creating meaningful opportunities for children and young people from different backgrounds to connect, learn from one another and celebrate diversity through quality programmes which include shared experiences across schools, youth organisations, and communities. More than 20,000 participants have engaged to date, building understanding, confidence, resilience, and positive relationships while strengthening mental health and well-being.
Inclusion is at the heart of this work, empowering young people to become agents of change and equipping the adults who support them with trauma-informed skills. This reflects the Good Relations Week theme of ‘Include’ and is contributing to a more equal, connected, and peaceful society in which every young person feels welcomed, valued and able to help shape a more inclusive future.”
The impact of Spaces to Be is evident in the experiences of participating schools. Jennifer Fuller, Principal of Acorn Integrated Primary and Nursery Unit in Carrickfergus, said:
“PlayBoard NI’s Spaces to Be programme has made a tremendous contribution to the well-being of our Primary 7 pupils. It has encouraged children to choose active, creative play over technology, strengthened friendships, and supported inclusion for all. The programme has also enhanced our Shared Education partnership by bringing young people together through positive and meaningful play experiences.”
Highlighting the importance of creating an inclusive environment, Victoria Logan, a teacher at Oakfield Primary School in Carrickfergus, commented:
“Spaces to Be built a safe space for all our Primary 7 pupils to play. It established a truly inclusive space, building an environment where everyone could try, fail, and create without judgement. It shifted our perspective from individual capability to collective fun. This is exactly what Primary 7 pupils need to build the emotional resilience and empathy they need for the road ahead.”
Kathy McKnight, a teacher at Holy Family Primary School in Omagh said:
“Taking part in the Spaces to Be programme has been a brilliant experience for our Primary 6 children. Working alongside our Shared Education partner, Omagh County Primary School, has given the children valuable opportunities to play, explore and learn together. They have loved taking positive risks, negotiating, problem-solving and building new friendships in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Most importantly, the programme has helped our children discover the importance of connection, community, empathy, and inclusion. Seeing them grow in confidence, work together, and learn from one another has been incredibly rewarding. Experiences like these help children look beyond differences, challenge barriers, and understand the positive impact we can have when we come together.”
Joanne Williamson, a teacher at St Mary’s Primary School, Maghery added:
“The Spaces to Be programme has been a valuable experience for our pupils, helping them understand different perspectives and develop empathy for others. Through discussion and shared activities, children explored their own feelings and learned to consider how others may feel.
The programme encouraged pupils to recognise that everyone is unique, with different backgrounds, experiences, and opinions, and that these differences should be respected. It also helped build resilience, confidence, and positive relationships through kindness, sharing, and understanding.
Overall, the programme has supported the development of a more caring, inclusive, and respectful school community, and helps us to live out our school values in meaningful ways.”
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