Partnerships and Connections

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University, Belfast

WAVE has been actively involved with the School of Nursing and Midwifery since 1996. Professor Jean Orr, Head of School, is an active Patron of WAVE who has been instrumental in assisting in the development of training, research and also helping the organisation with fundraising.

WAVE’s partnership with the School involves several areas of work:

  • Training — The Diploma in Trauma Studies is run in conjunction with the School of Nursing. WAVE has been validated by the University as a teaching institute. A post graduate trauma course in conjunction with the School will come on line later in 2005.

  • Evidence based practice — Several projects have and are currently being developed.

  • Specialised research development — A pilot has just been completed of a innovative research project examining the contribution of nurses throughout the ‘Troubles’. A further research study will be underway later in 2005.

  • Innovative extra-curricular activities — In December 2004 young people and volunteers from WAVE began working with the School of Nursing staff on their annual pantomime. This was an extremely positive example of the University’s community outreach and was one of the most beneficial personal development experiences young people have had at WAVE throughout the organisation’s development.

Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) and Graduate School of Education, Queen’s University, Belfast

In 2003 WAVE became involved in a partnership with SELB and the Graduate School of Education to develop an interagency and multi strategy approach to educational support of post primary pupils affected by the ‘Troubles’. There are four strands to this process which are at present ongoing. These include:

  • Schools and Young People
  • Teacher Development
  • Curriculum Initiatives
  • Research Evaluation and Dissemination.

The project known as ‘Enabling Young Voices’ (EYC) will have a number of proposed outputs including: a Web Site for young people; increased teacher awareness; the development of curriculum materials including a teacher resource pack; and an overall output of being a positive learning experience for young people involved through creativity.

Family Trauma Centre (FTC)

Due to WAVE’s developing case load regionally, support service provision has continued to be enhanced in response to need. While one to one therapeutic approaches are offered through psychotherapy and other counselling approaches, the organisation has recognised the need for family therapy to be offered within WAVE. Work is ongoing with the FTC to refer families to their services and also for FTC to provide these services within WAVE’s outreach centres. Ultimately, this is of benefit to the many families who hope to access these services in response to need.

Northern Ireland Children’s Enterprise (NICE)

NICE is a community relations youth work organisation established in 1978. NICE has supplied volunteers for several WAVE Youth summer schemes and been involved in ‘Facing History and Ourselves’. Additionally both organisations share their mini bus when demand requires it. WAVE is grateful for the use of the Don Murphy Residential Centre in Ballycastle which they have been using during the summer months over the past 6 years.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a charity specialising in the building of good quality affordable homes for the under privileged in various countries around the world. Members of WAVE have been involved in building projects in Romania, Hungary and Costa Rica as part of a Northern Ireland Memorial Fund team.

Healing through Remembering (HTR)

HTR was set up to find imaginative ways of dealing with the legacy of the ‘Troubles’. After an extensive public consultation a total of 6 initiatives were suggested. Two members of the staff team are currently involved in sub groups tasked with taking two of the initiatives forward—Living Memorial Museum and Storytelling.

One Small Step

One Small Step was set up in 2004 to encourage individuals and groups in society to take ‘one small step’ for peace. To date the initiative has been involved in a high profile media campaign to get the message across—one member of the staff team sits on the steering group.

Kilcranny House

Kilcranny House is a residential centre run by the Peace People. They have been involved with Ballymoney WAVE in organising a number of joint conferences on issues relevant to victims and peace building.

British Red Cross Venture Group

A group of 5 young people from the British Red Cross Venture Group have been volunteering with WAVE Youth for the past three years—together they have worked on a number of exciting projects including ‘Childsplay’ and ‘No Longer Poles Apart’.