Accept Hosts Include Youth’s Annual ‘Big Day Out’ Bringing Together Young People from Across the Island of Ireland 

On Thursday 24 September, more than 100 young people from eight Include Youth sites across the island of Ireland came together for the organisation’s annual Big Day Out Shared Learning Event, a day of fun, connection, policy engagement and community spirit hosted and led by the ACCEPT Good Relations Programme at Lagan Valley Leisureplex in Lisburn.

ACCEPT is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

The Big Day Out brought together young people from across Include Youth, representing a diverse range of backgrounds, communities and experiences. The event provided an opportunity for young people to build positive relationships, develop new friendships, celebrate diversity and strengthen connections with others in a fun and welcomingenvironment, while also creating space for their voices to be heard and encouraging them to engage with issues that affect their lives and communities.

The day reflected the core values of the ACCEPT Good Relations Programme, with activities designed to encourage teamwork, communication, participation and positive interaction between young people from different communities and areas across the island of Ireland.

Following the success of last year’s Hawaiian-themed Big Day Out, the theme made a return this year, with staff and young people once again embracing the spirit. From colourful outfits to vibrant decorations, the venue was transformed into a lively space, creating a fun and inclusive atmosphere throughout the day.

We were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Brian Higginson, who joined the festivities to show his support for the young people and the work of Include Youth.

The programme offered something for everyone, with a range of team challenges, sports, interactive games and creative activities across dedicated Game, Sports and Arts & Crafts Zones. Young people took part in golf, target practice, penalty shootouts, tug of war, face painting, henna art, inflatables and much more. There were also policy-focused activities, giving young people the opportunity to learn more about local politicians and how decisions are made in their communities. The day created a fantastic atmosphere, with young people from different sites and programmes coming together to have fun, connect with one another and build new relationships.

The shared experience provided an opportunity to promote inclusion, respect and understanding while celebrating the achievements and diversity of young people across Include Youth.

The highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of the Paddy Mooney Memorial Trophy to the overall winners STRIVE Lifford. The award is given in loving memory of our late CEO, Paddy Mooney, who was a passionate supporter of Big Day Out and believed deeply in the power of bringing young people together in celebration.

A huge thank you to our corporate partner, Danske Bank, whose team joined us on the day and played an important role in helping everything run smoothly and ensuring our young people had a fantastic experience. We would also like to thank the volunteers from KPMG, who generously gave their time and supported the event throughout the day. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make the Big Day Out such a memorable experience for our young people.

We also extend our thanks to everyone who helped make the event possible through their generous support. Special thanks to our funders SEUPB for their vital contributions.

A sincere thank you to Lisburn LeisurePlex, SEUPB and Pizza Guys for their generous support with the venue, entertainment and catering. The day would not have been possible without the contribution of each of our partners and supporters.The Big Day Out continues to be an important part of Include Youth’s work to build positive relationships and create opportunities for care-experienced and disadvantaged young people to connect, celebrate and feel supported. Led by the ACCEPT Good Relations Programme, the event demonstrates the value of bringing young people together from different backgrounds and communities to share experiences, build understanding and celebrate what they have in common.

We already can’t wait for next year!