Radius Housing Association have teamed up with St Johns and Killowen Primary Schools in Coleraine to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour. Children from the schools linked up with local composer and musician Ian Hanna to produce a new song These Are Our Streets about looking after their wonderful community as part of a good relations programme supported by Radius Housing Association.
The idea for writing and producing the song was born from the participation of both schools in Radius’ good relations programme which focused on the children’s health and well-being. The Relaxed and Resilient Programme has helped tackle anti-social behaviour through music and well-being training. The programme also involved the PSNI and was delivered to the children and also their parents.
Lisa Mooney, Community Officer of Radius Housing said of the project:
"When we started working with the schools, we quickly saw that they recognised that antisocial behaviour was an issue impacting in the local area, and this is something that everyone wanted to deal with. It was fantastic that the pupils and their parents were proactive, embracing the workshops and taking the time to understand their own role in their community. Teaching children about respect, resilience and mental health at a young age is really encouraging and gives them the skills and knowledge to care for their own well-being and be a better neighbour. This will help reduce anti- social behaviour and create a stronger more cohesive community.”
The project aimed to develop both intra and cross community working within Radius T:BUC/Shared Housing for All areas by bringing people together from different backgrounds for mental well-being and good relations training. This was to promote inclusion, tackle anti-social behaviour and improve improve people’s mental well-being which will have a positive impact on the wider community.
A pupil from St John’s Primary School said: “After Monday's workshop I went home and actually felt better, I feel the breathing exercises really helped me.”
While one of the children from Killowen PS said: “I feel really proud to be part of this community when I sing our new song!”
This programme is supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Housing for All Shared Housing Programme. The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. A total of £2,080,307 has been invested in the Laurel Hill Gardens Shared Housing development and associated five-year Good Relations Plan.