REACH Across

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Contact: Barney McGuigan
Tel: 028 7128 0048
Email: reach_across@hotmail.com
Website: www.reach-across.co.uk
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R.E.A.C.H Across was formed in September 1995 in response to the demand for a year-round, cross-community youth project in the western region of Northern Ireland. Our programmes are primarily focused on 14-17 year olds from the counties of Londonderry, Tyrone, and Fermanagh. We are affiliated with the Western Education and Library Board, and they provide us with funding for transport and cross-community contact residentials.

Our principal aim is to create and develop cross-community contact through a programme of Spring Contact residentials, Summer Activity camps, personal development training, social activities, weekly group meetings, and international exchanges.

Applicants are initially invited to participate in a Spring Contact residential that will establish cross-community contact and provide opportunities for teambuilding and interaction. Applicants will also be informed of the follow-up programme, which consists of personal development training courses, outdoor activities, and international projects.

The Summer Outdoor Education and Autumn Reunion residentials are used to strengthen contact between members and to build up confidence and self-esteem. Personal development training includes Basic First Aid, OCN Level 2 Community Relations, OCN Level 1 and 2 Citizenship, Youth Rights, Child Protection, Outdoor Activity training, Sex Abuse Awareness, Cook It, etc. In 2007, we introduced suicide prevention workshops into our personal development training programme in response to increasing levels of suicide and attempted suicide in this region.

In 1996, 200 young people applied to the project. For the past 5 years, over 500 young people applied to R.E.A.C.H Across from towns as far apart as Enniskillen, Cookstown, Ballycastle, and Coleraine.
Aims and Objectives:

  • To create, develop, and provide cross-community contact opportunities between 200 young people annually in the North-West region of Ireland through a programme of residentials, training courses, and international projects.
  • To provide young people from recognised areas of disadvantage with personal development opportunities, such as outdoor activity training, social education courses, community relations awareness, and the promotion of active citizenship.
  • To offer accreditations and new qualifications to young people in the formal and non-formal sectors, together with shared learning opportunities.
  • To reduce polarisation, build positive peer relationships, and contribute to attitudinal change in relation to sectarianism and racism.
  • To provide safe environments in which young people can integrate during school terms and outside of school in order to respectfully share their personal values and beliefs.
  • To facilitate the development of a shared community where young people wish to learn, live, work, and play together and be respectful of all citizens.
  • To increase the skills-base, employability, and self-confidence of members and to highlight the social and economic benefit of positive citizenship.
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R.E.A.C.H. Across will benefit greatly from the new Walled City Community Partnership building, as we will be able to provide our young people and volunteer leaders with a new premise that is designed with them in mind. Within these new facilities, we aim to provide a computer suite, a member-managed coffee bar, and an adaptable room that can be used for training courses, group meetings, presentations, and even indoor games. With these new facilities, we will be able to better re-engage disaffected young people, as there will be more opportunities for creative and inventive work, on-site volunteering, and events that will give them a greater sense of civic responsibility. In addition to this, we are considering expanding out target age group to include 13 year olds in response to the large number of requests from parents, schools, other youth groups, and social services. With new facilities and new ideas in motion, R.E.A.C.H Across will continue to have a positive impact in the lives of countless teenagers.