WEA has hosted a cross border "Good Relations" project for older people in partnership with Strabane District Council. The project ran for several months with two groups; the Golden Oldies from Lifford Clonleigh Resource Centre and the Plum Club from Plumbridge. The culmination of the project was a booklet "Sharing our Memories" which was launched at Strabane District Council Offices.

 (Photograph of the Plum Club with WEA Tutor Denise Gallangh-Wood Facilitating)

The Workers' Educational Association has enjoyed a wonderful ongoing partnership with Strabane District Council, with one of our projects winning a joint National Training Award and so WEA was delighted to be approached to work again with S.D.C. to develop a cross border good relations project for older people. Older people are often neglected in terms of developing good relations and yet they are the main survivors of the conflict that ensued in Northern Ireland for over thirty years.

 The project began with the facilitator Denise Gallanagh-Wood working independently with each group. This is sometimes referred to as “back yard work” where we work with single focus groups to develop confidence or skills so that partners can later come together on more equal terms. It was also a good opportunity to identify what each group wanted to share with the other. Over the last six months the groups have worked independently and have then come together to talk, to reminisce, to share their thoughts,  ideas and reflections. This was often conducted over the sharing of food. This helped the conversation flow and supported the development of the main sessional work.  The stories and memories contained in the booklet and in the two box sets are the results of the two groups coming together. The booklet is already being used with another group in Strabane to support reminiscence work and so the project continues to have a life outside of the main programme.

“The two groups have found much common ground but have learned from their differences as well. They were a joy to work with. It has been wonderful being a part of the process which led to the capturing of their memories. Both groups eagerly participated in the project engaging in discussion, bringing objects (clothes, kitchen implements), old photos, songs to share; all of which enriched the joint conversation”. Denise Gallanagh-Wood (Facilitator WEA).

(Photograph of Golden Oldies and Plum Club celebrating the booklet launch with some good food in Strabane)