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Young men from both sides of the sectarian divide gathering at a notorious flashpoint in Belfast might normally spell trouble, but this week it left the site in better shape than it was before.
The youths from the Ardoyne and Shankill areas came together at the roundabout where Twaddell Avenue meets the Crumlin Road in the north of the city on Wednesday – the scene in the past of marches, pickets, riots, and even a three year-long loyalist protest camp.
Their motive was not confrontation, but instead to give a deep clean of the area around the Ardoyne roundabout, including litter-picking, power washing, removing debris and brushing surfaces.
The Ardoyne roundabout in Belfast getting a deep clean However, along with giving an area with a long history of negative press a makeover, the all-male group of 19 got valuable interaction with their peers from the “other” community.
The event precedes a trip for the group in the coming weeks that will take them further than they have been before – to South Africa, where among other activities they will meet and learn from young men whose lives have been blighted by gangs.
The gathering was organised through the My Choice programme, involving the Shankill-based R-City youth project, and Holy Cross Parish’s Passionist Peace Office.
R-City youth leader Aiden Preston said the event was “hands-on work from start to finish, and you could really see the pride in the group as the area gradually transformed”.
“It wasn’t just about making it look better, it was about taking ownership of a space that’s usually associated with tension and showing that young people from both sides of the community can come together to make a difference,” he said.
“It was a clear example of taking action, challenging perceptions and leaving a shared space better than they found it.”
The youths involved in the R-City project will be heading to South Africa in March During their visit to South Africa in March, the group will take part in peace and reconciliation workshops, visit various townships for community projects, and even visit prisons to learn from the experiences of young men who had been involved in gangs
“In such a short time, they have already developed a range of valuable skills – teamwork, communication, and leadership – that will help them make a meaningful impact abroad. It’s a clear example of how young people can grow and take on new challenges when given the opportunity.
“It has been incredible to work with the lads over the past few months. Seeing the changes in them and watching them grow has been a real highlight for me. I’m really looking forward to their trip to South Africa and all the amazing experiences ahead.”
