IN SEPTEMBER 2016, TEN YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BOTH CASTLE TOWER SCHOOL AND BALLEE YOUTH CLUB CAME TOGETHER TO TAKE PART IN AN INCLUSION PROJECT FUNDED BY THE EA YOUTH SEVICE. FUNDING OF £8,500 WAS SECURED BY ERIC GILMORE THE YOUTH SUPPORT WOKER IN CHARGE OF BALLEE YOUTH CLUB. HE IS ALSO OUR BUILDING SUPERVISOR IN THE DUNFANE CAMPUS.

BOTH GROUPS MET UP EVERY TUESDAY EVENING FROM 6.30PM – 8.30PM AND HELD DIFFERENT SESSIONS ON DISABILITY AWARENESS THROUGH SPORT. IN THESE SESSIONS YOUNG PEOPLE GOT TO TRY DIFFERENT SPORTS INCLUDING ARCHERY, THE CLIMBING WALL, TEAM INCLUSION GAMES, KURLING AND BOCCIA. THERE WAS ALSO A 4 WEEK ART PROGRAMME WHERE THE YOUNG PEOPLE DESIGNED A PIECE OF ART WORK THAT IS CURRENTLY DISPLAYED IN BOTH CASTLE TOWER SCHOOL AND BALLEE YOUTH CLUB. THE YOUNG PEOPLE ALSO HAD THE CHANCE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDSHIPS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.

THE PROJECT ALSO INVOLVED A WEEKEND RESIDENTIAL TO CARROWMENA ACTIVITY CENTRE WHERE ALL HAD AN ENJOYABLE WEEKEND OF TEAM BUILDING. THE TWO GROUPS HAD THE ADDED PLEASURE OF A MEET AND GREET SESSION WITH THE STAFF, PLAYERS & MANAGEMENT OF BALLYMENA UNITED FC. THEY HAD THE CHANCE TO LEAD BOTH THE TEAMS OF BALLYMENA UNITED FC & CARRICK RANGERS FC ONTO THE FIELD OF PLAY BEFORE KICK OFF.

THE AIM OF THE PROJECT WAS TO HELP BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND BREAK DOWN BARRIERS BETWEEN YOUNG PEOPLE CONCERNING DISABILITY. THE BOND THAT GREW EACH WEEK WAS FANTASTIC AND BY THE END OF THE PROJECT THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN BOTH GROUPS WAS FANTASTIC.

THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT CASTLE TOWER SCHOOL HAS TAKEN PART IN ANY SUCH A PROJECT PROVIDED BY THE YOUTH SERVICE. IT’S ALSO THE FIRST TIME BALLEE YOUTH CLUB HAVE TAKEN PART IN SUCH A PROJECT WITH A SPECIAL SCHOOL BOTH GROUPS HOPE THAT FUNDING BECOMES AVAILABLE IN THE FUTURE SO WE CAN CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK.