The Junction

27/08/2026

The Junction is deeply saddened by the passing of our former Chairperson and dear friend, Eamonn Deane.

Eamonn was fully committed to creating a more equal and hopeful future. He deeply believed in the people of his city and in the power of relationships to bring about change.

He led by example, and gave himself wholeheartedly to many significant projects and initiatives including years of commitment to The Junction. He leaves a lasting legacy in Derry and far beyond.

We will remember him with enormous affection and gratitude.

Our deepest sympathies are with all his family, friends and all who felt his gentle influence.

05/08/2026

Hoping to come to Val Whitworth’s performance ‘It's about Time’ next week?

This is a brave telling by one woman of childhood and adult experiences of sexual violence and a determination to reclaim her voice and to self heal.

Please book your tickets now.

The Junction is delighted to be co-hosting a performance, 'It's about Time', written and performed by Val Whitworth, as part of this year's Gasyard Wall Feile. 'It's about Time' recounts Val's personal lived experience of sexual violence and her journey of recovery and reclaiming her body and voice - told through a poetic and creative form. After the performance, Ursula Hughes (Therapist and Founder of Creative Living programme) will invite Val and members of the audience into a conversation about the processes of healing.

Please note the performance contains reference to sexual violence and difficult subject matter. Suitable for those aged 16 years +.

We are looking forward to seeing you there.

Free - Booking Essential, via the Eventbrite link.

Written and performed by Val Whitworth.

30/07/2026

A reflection on 'cultivating a culture of care'.

No matter who you are, your status, position and situation, there will be a time when you wonder about the culture of care you are experiencing and creating.
Creating and cultivating a culture of care has been the focus of our recent programme Cultivating Wellbeing and Peace. What does it mean for you? In your family? In your street, or for your organisation?

What do we mean by Care? Care in this context is not simply individual-based kindness. It is an active commitment to creating conditions in which everyone has the opportunity to thrive. It is about moving from a culture of "every person for themselves" to one of "we all have a role in helping one another flourish."

Building relationships is at the heart of creating a culture of care, at the heart of creating and building organisations, and communities where people's wellbeing, dignity, and belonging are treated as shared responsibilities rather than individual concerns.
Some elements which shape and define a living culture of care might be:
- Every person is treated with dignity and respect.
- People feel psychologically and physically safe.
- Diversity is welcomed rather than merely tolerated.
- Relationships matter as much as outcomes.
- Compassion is combined with accountability.
- People recognise that everyone has needs at different stages of life. Does a culture of care change how we perceive "success"? What if success is measured not only by productivity but also by wellbeing, trust, and inclusion?

What would a culture of care look like for you in the neighbourhood in which you live? Or in our shared public spaces?
How might everyone feel welcome? How might communities intentionally include everyone? Older people, young people, newcomers and minorities?
How can we encourage a shared responsibility for shared spaces?

What might a culture of care look like In your organisation? -How might we midel empathy and fairness - especially if we are in a leadership or decision making postion? How might we work to ensure staff are listened to and involved in decisions and learning and development are available to everyone?
Can we encourage a healthy attitude to mistakes - where mistakes become opportunities for learning rather than blame? How would this change relationships and what we can achieve together?

What might this mean in your sports clubs, arts organisations, churches, community groups or voluntary organisations?
How might you act so everyone feels they belong? How might you welcome everyone equally and intentionally? In what ways can differences between people be seen and valued? How are your Volunteers appreciated and supported?

Let us know what you see as the building blocks of a culture of care.

22/07/2026

It's about Time.

The Junction is delighted to be co-hosting a performance, 'It's about Time', written and performed by Val Whitworth, as part of this year's Gasyard Wall Feile. 'It's about Time' recounts Val's personal lived experience of sexual violence and her journey of recovery and reclaiming her body and voice - told through a poetic and creative form. After the performance, Ursula Hughes (Therapist and Founder of Creative Living programme) will invite Val and members of the audience into a conversation about the processes of healing.

Please note the performance contains reference to sexual violence and difficult subject matter. Suitable for those aged 16 years +.

Come along and support the brave telling by one woman.

We are looking forward to seeing you there.

Free - Booking Essential, via the Eventbrite link.

Written and performed by Val Whitworth.

02/07/2026

Two new podcasts sharing a range of voices from across Derry City & Strabane District Council. Informed by two engaging community conversations, which raised everyone's awareness in some way. The conversations were incredibly insightful and meaningful as participants shared their knowledge and together mapped out concerns and persistent challenges. The conversation was driven by three questions: Why do we need to talk about violence against women and girls; what happens when we don't address the level of violence against women and girls; and what are some of the challenges and barriers to ending this form of gender based violence? These Podcasts were made as a part of Derry City & Strabane District Council EVAWG Change Fund, through The Executive Office.

01/07/2026

Two new podcasts 'Changing the Story about Gender based violence in Northern Ireland are now live'. Introduced by Leona O'Neill and created through two very informative community conversations in March and April this year as a part of The Junction's EVAWG Change Fund Project. The Podcasts share several perspectives from a range of people working towards ending gender based violence; some working in education in communities, some working in the provision of support services to women and girls, and to victims and survivors, and others working in law enforcement and crime prevention - across the Derry City & Strabane District Council area.

19/06/2026

The Language of "free housing", or "free money" is at best 'lazy'. The Housing Executive has prodcued to a leaflet addressing these myths and are NIHE Officers are happy to come out and speak with any housing groups across NI about housing rights. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm7vn2kegjo

18/06/2026

:

What can we do so show we care?

How do we cultivate a culture of care?

And what does this mean in our current time?

Can we create more spaces for discussions around all our rights to belong?

How do we show up when people are being targeted and forced out?

How do we create opportunities to bust myths and to create places and spaces for connection?

At a societal level :

Where do people channel concerns about rights to work, housing rights, which let’s face it, are real issues around ‘being left behind’ - so that a horrendous incident and crime is not given the gas so set alight ‘a race card’ and which doesn’t constructively address any of the concerns in the first place.

How do we all think more critically about social change, inclusion and integration?

What is the social and political leadership required for this moment?

A different future is possible.

“We are the people we have been waiting for” (June Jordan)

. Community Relations Council

18/06/2026

We were thrilled with the response to the call to join in a community conversation, "Who Cares? Creating a Place of Peace" - as a part of the finale of our Ideas Fund supported community led enquriy project. We shared insights drawn from our group of leaders' experiences of co-creating a values-led approach to wellbeing and offered suggestions around a wellbeing approach to peace building - as an approach which invites us to move beyond managing division or responding to crisis to actively growing cultures of care, dignity, respect, and belonging. It was a truly inspiring morning as well as a much-needed 'time out' to reflect and ask searching questions about the experiences of belonging for those in different bodies here in Northern Ireland. I know for ourselves, the 'seeds of insights scattered' are continuing to percolate today . We know from what was said in the room that there is a deep desire for more of these conversations in every community room and classroom. Our deepest thanks to George, Gráinne, Jen, Colleen, Eithne, Robert and Megan who held the space with care, and bringing the laughter, music and poetry. Our sincere thanks to St Columb's Park House for hosting us so well and the fabulouse lunch and to The Ideas Fund NW CN and our core funder Community Relations Council, and Dept Irish Foreign Ministry for their ongoing support. We hope you enjoy the pictures from the morning (by Brendan O Neill)

15/06/2026

Thank you to all those registering for our Community Enquiry morning "Who Cares? Creating Places for Peace" this Wednesday (17th in St Columb’s Park House) and we really look forward to seeing you for tea and coffee at 9.45am on Wednesday am.

We will be taking time to consider values-led work and how we create "cultures of care" as individuals and in communities through community work.

There is less than a handful of spaces left - and if you are still thinking about joining us, please register now. Registration will close at 6pm this evening.