New '˜Shaping Ourselves and Our Children' project launched in Derry

Pictured at the launch of the Lifestart SOOC (Shaping Ourselves And Our Children) project at the Holywell Trust were from left, seated, Ursula Birthistle, Chairperson of the Steering Group, Dr Pauline McClenaghan, Executive Director, Lifestart Foundation, and Maureen Hetherington, Co-ordinator of The Junction, standing, Liz Kavanagh, Mary Walker-Callaghan, Gina McIntyre, Margaret McCann, Trish McLaughlin, Sharon Hasson and Kenda Somerville, SEUPB. DER1318-152KM

The new ‘Shaping Ourselves and Our Children’ (SOOC) programme is supported by the EU’s PEACE IV programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

SOOC was developed by the Lifestart Foundation and its partners - Lifestart Services Ltd, Sligo Family Support Centre, the Dunluce Family Centre, Barnardos and The Junction.

The launch took place at The Junction, Bishop Street, on Thursday last and guest speakers included Dr Sarah Millar, Senior Lecturer Queens University, Gina McIntyre, CEO of the SEUPB and Maria MacInnes, Child and Family Agency. Peter Walker, Social Inclusion Unit, Health Service Executive and Dr Pauline Mc Clenaghan, Executive Director Lifestart Foundation Ltd, also addressed those gathered for the event.

Pictured at the launch of the Lifestart SOOC (Shaping Ourselves And Our Children) project at the Holywell Trust were from left, Dr Pauline McClenaghan, Executive Director, Lifestart Foundation, Gina McIntyre, Special Education Programmes Body, Ruth MacInnes, Maria MacInnes, TUSLA, Peter Walker, Community Worker for Social Inclusion, and Ursula Birthistle, Chairperson of the Steering Group. DER1318-153KM

The event was chaired by Ursula Birthistle, who chairs the SOOC project cross-community Steering Group.

The SOOC programme aims to support parents of young children to create a home conducive to good child social and emotional development, inclusiveness and a respect for social and cultural diversity.

The project partners will deliver 240 interactive SOOC parenting programmes within nine areas of Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of the Republic of Ireland.

The recruitment of parents to the programme begins this month. 2,880 parents and their children from Protestant, Catholic, Black, Minority and Ethnic backgrounds will benefit from the participating in the SOOC programme.

Group pictured at the launch of the Lifestart SOOC (Shaping Ourselves And Our Children) project at the Holywell Trust, from left, seated, Ursula Birthistle, Chairperson of the Steering Group, and Dr Pauline McClenaghan, Executive Director, Lifestart Foundation, standing, Veronica Keenan, event co-ordinator, Marie Kee, project partner, Gina McIntyre, EU Special Programmes Body, Maureen Hetherington, Co-ordinator of The Junction, Peter Walker, Community Worker for Social Inclusion, Maria MacInnes, TUSLA, Margaret McCann, project partner, and Emma Holmes, event co-ordinator. DER1318-153KM

Gina McIntyre, CEO of the SEUPB said: “The cycle of mistrust, division and fear can be passed from one generation to the next. This project will help to break that cycle by delivering a child development and cultural diversity programme, where parents will learn how their behaviours and parenting styles can impact upon their children’s development. What better way to deliver upon one of the core objectives of the PEACE Programme than to support people affected by the legacy of the conflict. The project will ensure that children learn from their parents to embrace difference and diversity,” she continued.