Creating a Brighter Future for Children Through Mutual Respect and Understanding

Together 4 All (T4A) is a community-based organisation which aims to improve support for children, young people and their families in the Lurgan area of Northern Ireland. Research has found this area to be a microcosm of Northern Ireland, in terms of need, demographic and socio-economic mix. Issues facing the community include high rates of deprivation and sectarian tension. T4A has developed an innovative programme for schools which, for the first time, brings together educational resources for pupils, parents and teachers, coupled with on-the-ground support from trained staff.

Atlantic’s grant aims to improve outcomes for children and young people in the Lurgan area by implementing and evaluating an integrated services strategy. In 2008, Together 4 All adapted a proven model of social and emotional learning designed to address behavioural issues, bullying, and mutual respect and understanding.

They introduced the programme into participating primary schools, comprising all religions. Children from the ages of five to 11 engage in the exercises developed for improving self control with techniques that are simple and very effective.

To address the social and emotional learning needs of children, Together 4 All has a schools’ programme that focuses on mutual respect and understanding, teaching children to treat others the way they want to be treated.