Building Bridges

Building Bridges benefits young people who are socially segregated or marginalised due to their cultural identity, social and/or behavioural difficulties, individual needs or physical disability. These young people are often excluded from full participation in society through the organisation of our social and physical environments. The programme seeks to build connections between different groups, to celebrate difference, engender a change in attitude and facilitate a process of integration into the community.

Ongoing Work:

Young Carers (Ongoing)

8,352 children in Northern Ireland have the role of providing significant care for a family member.

This project will lead to the creation of seven short, arts-based films featuring young carers from across Northern Ireland.  The public premiere of the 6th short dance film took place at Belfast Children’s Festival in March 2022.

In October 2022, a Young Carers Information Pack was created in collaboration with our partners at Barnardo’s NI Young Carers Service and sent to every primary and post-primary school in Northern Ireland.  The pack called ‘They Care. Do you?’ was created as a practical and straight-talking resource for teachers and included the series of short dance films which have been widely recognised as giving voice and emotional expression to Young Carers.   Have a look here:  They Care Do You? leaflet

This project is delivered in partnership with Barnardo’s NI. Project funding is provided by BBC Children in Need.

Sutemos Youth Engagement Project (Ongoing)

Sutemos – and its junior group Suteminis – involves young people between the ages of 8 and 24 years in inter-cultural dance work. The groups meet every week in Dungannon Youth Resource Centre and number over 30 young people from many different countries and cultural backgrounds.  Sutemos has taken part in national and international dance festivals, won awards for its community work, performed live for the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont and on television for the BBC.  Performances have included:   An Tura (2016), Hidden (2015), Illusion (2014), Distant Echoes (2014), Severance (2013), Outer Edge (2013), Lost Honesty (2012), Abysm of Time (2011), I Have Something to Say (2011)

Past Projects:

Relocate (May 2019)

A dance and film project looking at the effects of the rise of racism and hate crime in the Dungannon area. Relocate was screened in Square Box Theatre, Dungannon; STEP, The junction, Dungannon; St Patrick’s College, Dungannon and Glenaven House Hotel, Cookstown.

Sutemos Performances (2019)

In addition to producing the dance and film project Relocate, Sutemos performed at Cookstown Carnival, on the street at the first Dungannon Culture Night, and at the Arts for Health Gala event at the Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown.

Suteminis Performances and Projects (2018-20)

In 2020 Suteminis were part of the Little Stranger project at Ranfurly Arts Centre, Dungannon. The project is being delivered in partnership with Powerstone Film and Tinderbox Theatre.

In 2019 they performed at Cookstown Carnival, and in 2018 they performed at Oak Shopping Centre in Dungannon and at Cookstown Carnival.

Care 2 – Faoileoireach / Soaring (Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, Belfast, April 2019)

An intercultural dance project exploring the common experiences of those who lived in West Belfast in the height of The Troubles and those who have recently moved to the area from places of conflict or challenge. Delivered in collaboration with partners Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, Beyond Skin and Falls Women’s Centre.

Sutemos Performances and Projects (2018)

In 2018 Sutemos created a series of short films on the subject of mental health and performed at the Irish Youth Dance Festival in Dublin.

Care 1 – Music, Dance and Storytelling Workshops, and Pop-up Performances (Lisburn city centre, June 2017)

A series of music, dance and storytelling workshops with local young people, which resulted in pop-up performances across Lisburn city centre. The performances marked World Refugee Day 2017.

Delivered in partnership with Beyond Skin and with the support of Lisburn Central Library.

Heroes on the Hill, Intercultural Project (Market Square, Dungannon, April 2015)

An intercultural dance and drumming project involving schools and community groups and delivered in partnership with STEP (South Tyrone Empowerment Project)

Inte-gr8 project (Dungannon, July 2014)

An intercultural performance project commissioned by Dungannon Youth Resource Centre.

Sutemos (Craic Theatre, Coalisland, March 2011)

An extensive workshop programme and four community celebration evenings, leading to three public performances and the formation of Sutemos Youth Engagement Project.

Look for the Me In It (Clotworthy Arts Centre, Antrim, December 2006)

Young people from two MLD special schools took part in workshops and a public performance.

Our Odyssey (The Courtyard Theatre, Newtownabbey, June 2006)

Sixteen young people from two MLD special schools took part in a performance project.

First They Came & Messages From Ourselves (Waterfront Hall, Belfast, May 2005)

Newtownabbey Education Guidance Centre and Loughshore Educational Resource Centre marked the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz with First They Came.  Young people from Tor Bank Special School and Loughshore Educational Resource Centre performed Messages From Ourselves.

Better is Peace (Stranmillis Theatre, Belfast, May 2004)

A performance project with Cedar Lodge Special School and Loughshore Educational Resource Centre.

Up with the Gods (Courtyard Theatre, Newtownabbey, April 2003)

Rosstulla MLD School and Newtownabbey Education Guidance Centre took part in this performance project.

Out of the Rubble (Coleraine, March 2002)

Out of the Rubble was devised and performed with pupils and staff from Sandelford Special School and Sunlea Education Guidance Centre.