From fishing trips to water fights, there was lots going on in Pitt Park this summer
An East Belfast community has said this past July has been the most peaceful in years thanks to a series of projects that have brought people together and reduced anti-social behaviour.
Throughout the summer the young people of Pitt Park have been taking part in a range of activities from fishing trips and game nights to giant water fights and colour runs throughout the estate in an effort to reduce anti-social behaviour and tensions during the month of July.
Organised by Pitt Park Residents Association with the help of The Gathering Church and East Belfast Mission, the aim has been to provide positive activities for young people that would help build bonds within Pitt Park and the neighbouring communities.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, members of the residents association said that July can be a contentious time in the area and see and increase in anti-social behaviour. While there have been a few incidents with young people arranging fights on social media, there has been a decrease in issues like that due to the youth activities and developing good relationships with neighbouring areas.
They said: “July can often be a difficult time here with anti-social behaviour and we wanted to put a real focus into reducing that in the area and giving the young people here something positive to do and it has been the most peaceful summer we have had in years.
“The issues that we have had have mainly been young people arranging fights on social media, but we have developed good relationships with residents in neighbouring areas and are able to deal with these very quickly.
“We have held game nights, BBQs and fishing trips, which funnily enough turned out to be much more popular with the girls here who were catching way more fish than the boys. We also had a brilliant colour run and huge laser tag and water fight evenings throughout Pitt Park which were just as popular with the adults as the kids.
“These have taken place alongside workshops on anti-social behaviour, peer pressure and explaining the importance of looking after your community and the impact ASB has on it and those that live here.
“It has been great bringing the community together like this and we are very grateful for the support we have received from everyone, particularly Andrew at The Gathering Church and Alanna at the East Belfast Mission.
“Over the next few weeks we have further activities and trips planned with the help of CFC Inner East churchand we are all very excited for the weeks and months ahead.”
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