Our work in Northern Ireland

Our work in Northern Ireland

Between  October 2024  and Octover 2025, Jo has made 7 visits to different parts of Northern Ireland, impacting  over 1000 people. Starting in October with a event in Clonard Cathedral and ending  in partnership with the King’s Trust, the feedback has been extraordinary.  Here are some highlights.

The event at Conard cathedral was with Patrick Magee and the questions carried on for one hour after the event ended. There were young people there studying peace studies from around the world as well as ex combatants and long term peace builders and community leaders.

Congratulations again to you and Pat on your presentation at Clonard which was wonderful. I was scarcely able to make myself heard to you both in the din of the scrum for tea and buns afterwards in the Monastery refectory. It was very moving the way you and Pat spoke to one another, seated as you were in front of the altar, with Rev Steve Stockman between you asking the questions. There was something very special about that, and in that church. Steve’s presence  was a reminder of the absence of Fr Gerry Reynolds and the special vision he had for Clonard as a safe place for such dialogue and ‘difficult conversation’. I think he would have been very proud of this latest stage of your ongoing conversation with Pat, which is an inspiration to us all. I’m sorry I never got to ask my question in the Q &A  about your ‘building bridges’ metaphor and that there wasn’t a chance to chat longer afterwards, but you were both in such great demand. It was good to see Professor John Brewer there and to hear his take on it all. I didn’t manage to get a good chat with him afterwards either. Anyway, there was a great buzz. The church was packed and it was great to see so many young people there – quite a few of them overseas students of conflict and peace studies at QUB and UU and very interested, as their questions at the end indicated. You had our full attention and there were moments when you could have heard a pin drop. I am full of admiration for the work the two of you are engaged in.  As I wrote in Calming Conflict, you both have ‘an exemplary high level of skill  in “dealing with the past” and “dealing with the future”, at the same time‘ (pp. 427-8) – and I believe that now more than ever! If there is any way that you think Healing Through Remembering might be able to help further, please do not hesitate to let me know. I hope it wont be long before you are back in Belfast again.  Brian Lambkin

 

It was a very special night and I think Steve Stockman brought something interesting in his questioning; if i say freshness, i am not sure that is the right word but he evoked responses that had an energy that was quite electrifying.. i did not want to miss a word.. or even a pause! Listening to you, when I was feeling hurt by someone else’s behaviour that week too, reminded me of why I have admired you so much and gave me a sense of peace and acceptance, when others in my situation could have been bitter.  I thank you for this and for the essential timing of the reminder.
I am so aware that every environment, interviewer and audience create a different energy, even if we are hearing you share something that we have previously heard.  Also, how each individual listens and where they are at, at the time, will bring a different understanding.   I found this very much the case at Clonard.  Thank you for spreading the essence of love and acceptance, in Belfast and beyond.  Jacqui
I also colloborated with Community Restorative  Justice and visited  many of their centres around Northern Ireland.
My next visit was mainly in Lurgen  in collaboration with Community Restorative Justice Ireland – Central  and North Lurgan & Drumgask Community Safety Engagement Forum
So privileged to be working with extraordinary young people in Lurgen who asked me such deep thoughtful questions. Then they worked on their Changemakers project, sharing their ideas with such wisdom and intelligence. The whole session was so inspiring!
Their feedback showed how much they had taken away, such as knowing they are more than their behaviour, they felt optimistic and were going to be more curious when they experienced conflict. I heard the impact of violence on their families and know the young people are carrying the impact and this needs support and healing.
Yoth Action
YouthAction were delighted to host Jo Berry to Derry/Londonderry and Strabane to deliver three workshops to Youth and community workers, young people and the general public.
Workshop one took place in Strabane, Co Tyone where the session was attended by 16 members of the public and 3 community workers. The feedback from the session was very positive. Participants stated that the workshop was emotional but also a very important topic around empathy was vital to them. Hearing the story from Jo was real and inspiring.
Workshop 2 was in Derry/Londonderry and was attended and more focused on young people. Some young people travelled from Limavady about 25 miles outside of the City. Young people listened to Jo’s story and young people had an opportunity to discuss in small groups the importance of empathy. Jo has stated that the one thing she will take with her was the opportunity to hear from the young people. Some of these young people have been impacted on the past conflict in Northern Ireland and it was amazing that these young people had the opportunity to express their feelings and share their story in a safe space with the support from Jo.
Workshop 3 was also in Derry/Londonderry and was attend by over 30 youth and community workers from many different backgrounds. Our busiest workshop with some really positive discussions and lots of questions. Again participants felt safe to be open in discussions. Feedback was excellent from participants and have stated they would love to hear Jo again. The sharing of information in this session was vital to help local youth and community workers have more understanding and how they can take this information back to their workplace in working with young people, but also to share with their family and friends.
Overall the three workshops where powerful. Participants learnt a lot and took away some new learning. Participants on workshop 3 all made a pledge to work on and share empathy, which was great. YouthAction NI would love to continue our relationship with Jo Berry and invite Jo back to the City to deliver more workshops.

Many people of all ages in the City of Derry/Londonderry are still in the healing process of the past conflict. Some of this anger is passed onto our youth. People need a safe space to discuss feelings and this in turns helps with the healing process. We need real people with experience to share their stories, listen and be non judgmental and this was very evident from the three workshops

I was down in Limavady yesterday chatting to the workers that brought up the young people. I brought up the workshop to them.

Youth Worker stated “do you know that young person never speaks up and we were shocked”

They asked the young person what he felt about the workshop and he said “ the workshop was amazing and the reason why I opened up was because I could relate to Jo and I just felt it was safe to speak up”

YouthAction would like to sincerely like to thank Jo Berry for been so kind and professional in her role and would also like to think the funder for having the trust in Jo Berry in helping others to heal.

Youth Link N.I.

 

Thank you for your engagement with our Community, here in Aughnacloy. Your experience helped people from both side of the “Troubles” to sit in the one venue and to engage with understanding one of the many legacy issues related to the history of these Islands. This is essential, If we are to build a confident, robust and engaged community here in Aughnacloy. Your time here is productive, one we will build on and one for which we are eternally grateful. On behalf of the organising group, Aughnacloy Development, Aghaloo Community Centre and St James Parish, Church of Ireland, thank you and best wishes for the future.

I was impressed by both Jo’s composed manner and her message of forgiveness.

Her words carried a deep sense of compassion and reconciliation, urging us to embrace empathy and understanding in the face of adversity.  It was a great reminder of how divisions can be healed simply by connecting with each other and listening (more than talking) with an open mind.

I try not to allow negative thinking to colour my day, but sometimes it’s inevitable especially in today’s political climate.  Jo’s talk reminded me that carrying hatred or bitterness in one’s heart, serves only to subtract from the simple enjoyment of everyday life.

I have talked with a few others who attended the talk, and all were enthralled and touched by Jo’s story.

Thank you, Jo, – I hope you’ll come back to Aughnacloy again sometime.

Jo Berry’s presentation was incredibly insightful and deeply moving. Her personal story served as a powerful testament to the importance of dialogue and understanding, even in the face of profound loss. It was inspiring to witness her dedication to peace-building, and the event truly fostered a sense of a need for unity and shared reflection among all attendees. A truly memorable evening.

The evening with Jo Berry was an extraordinary experience. Her message of hope and reconciliation resonated deeply, demonstrating the transformative power of choosing understanding over bitterness. The courage she displayed in sharing her journey was remarkable, and it encouraged everyone present to consider their own roles in fostering a more peaceful and empathetic community. An invaluable and thought-provoking event.

 

 

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