The Conversations project is having conversations with children and young people to support them and shape the future of their community. The Innovation Zones team have been working with the Greater Shankill Children and Young People Zone in their 20-year vision to transform the lives of those within the Shankill community.
This vision starts with a commitment to the Children and Young people of the Shankill involving lifelong engagement (in the form of conversations) to establish their goals and aspirations and provide wraparound support where necessary. In addition, the conversations, will inform a child-centred, bottom up, outcomes framework for the community, which will inform future service provision and development of community resources.
The Conversations process has been co-designed by teams from QUB Innovation Zones and the Shankill Children and Young People Zone. Outputs of the work include protocols, guides, tools, resources and training mechanisms for those significant adult ‘Pathfinders’ who hold the conversations with the children and young people.
In November 2022, the Innovation Zones team and the Shankill Children and Young People Zone published a report outlining the first phase of the Conversations process ‘Conversations: The story I want my life to be’.
If you are interested in hearing more about the Conversations project please contact Dr Liam O'Hare.