'Our Place, Our Planet' celebrates Derry success

In Your Space Circus and Creggan Country Park are celebrating the successful completion of Our Place, Our Planet, an ambitious cross-community arts and environmental project which has brought together over 230 children and young people, exceeding its original participation target by almost 45%.

Led by Derry's Circus and Street Theatre Company, In Your Space Circus (IYSC), in partnership with Creggan Country Park, the project was funded through Derry City and Strabane District Council's PEACEPLUS Local Co-Designed Action Plan, supported by PEACEPLUS - a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Since launching in September 2024, ‘Our Place, Our Planet’ has engaged over 230 children and young people, surpassing its original target of 164 participants. Through circus, street arts, outdoor learning and environmental activities, the project has encouraged young people to develop new skills, explore shared spaces and build connections with people from different communities and backgrounds.

The programme included 69 workshops, three four-day camps and three trips and experiences, alongside an official launch event and six celebration events recognising participants' achievements.

In Your Space Circus delivered the project's creative programme, bringing together pupils from Cumber Claudy and St Colmcille's Primary Schools, pupils from The Fountain and Longtower Primary Schools, and young people from Culmore and Lincoln Courts Youth Clubs.

Through joint circus and street arts workshops and shared trips, participants developed new skills, built confidence and formed friendships with young people from different communities.

Teachers highlighted the importance of providing regular opportunities for these relationships to develop. One teacher from St Colmcille's Primary School reflected:

The "best part of the project was the different friendships that formed over the course of the project."

The teacher also noted that the programme's consistency and duration were particularly valuable, allowing children to become more comfortable with one another and recognise their shared interests and experiences.

Young people from Culmore and Lincoln Courts Youth Clubs visited each other's clubs, took part in circus workshops at In Your Space Circus's Glassworks premises and travelled to Belfast to see Tumble Circus perform at Winter Circus.

A representative from Culmore Youth Club commented: "The project gave the young people an opportunity to meet with people from different backgrounds and take part in the same activities showing them that their differences do not preclude them from forming friendships and learning about one another."

The programme also provided opportunities for In Your Space Circus's Circus School participants to develop their performance, teamwork and leadership skills. Activities included a performance course, a participant-led performance scratch night, an Easter Camp, the development of a new group show and a trip to Belfast's Festival of Fools.

One Circus School participant reflected: "The best part of the project was seeing everyone come together to do circus. A group that otherwise wouldn't have much in common instead all had one common goal through circus."

Participants also reported increased confidence, improved communication skills and a greater willingness to collaborate with others.

Alongside the creative programme, Creggan Country Park delivered environmental education and outdoor activities with pupils from Culmore and Oakgrove Integrated Primary Schools.

Through hands-on experiences, children explored biodiversity, wildlife, climate action and the importance of protecting their environment. Activities ranged from nature walks, growing plants and building animal habitats to exploring food waste and discovering how natural materials can be used in everyday life.

The programme encouraged children to explore unfamiliar places, develop an appreciation for shared green spaces and consider the positive difference they can make within their communities.

Teachers praised the opportunities for practical learning, highlighting how the activities encouraged curiosity, creativity and greater environmental awareness.

In one environmental cohort, all 28 children who completed the final evaluation reported enjoying the project, learning new things about nature and the environment, and wanting to take part in a similar project again.

‘Our Place, Our Planet’ concluded with a final celebration at The Glassworks on Friday 16th October, marking the achievements of the children and young people involved.

The event featured the Frankie Magillian show, youth circus performances from Art Dobbin and Gabriel Crouch, and an interactive circus workshop. Participants from the final street arts cohort received certificates recognising their involvement and achievements, before attendees came together to enjoy lunch.

The event was the sixth celebration held throughout the project, providing a fitting conclusion to a programme centred on creativity, shared experiences and community connections.

Commenting on the project's success, Cath McBride, Company Director of In Your Space Circus, said: “Our Place, Our Planet has shown the power of circus, creativity and the outdoors to bring young people together, build confidence and create connections across communities. Through circus and street arts, young people discovered shared interests, developed new skills and formed friendships they might not otherwise have had the opportunity to make. It’s been wonderful to

see them grow in confidence and work together towards a common goal. We’re incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved and grateful to Creggan Country Park and our funders for helping make this project possible.”

Fiona McCann, Environmental Officer at Creggan Country Park, added: “It has been fantastic to see young people get hands-on with nature and discover more about the environment through ‘Our Place, Our Planet’. By exploring biodiversity, creating habitats and learning about sustainability, they’ve developed a greater appreciation for the natural world and the role they can play in protecting it. Projects like this show how outdoor learning can inspire curiosity, build confidence and bring communities together through a shared connection to our environment. It has been an absolute pleasure to collaborate with the fabulous In Your Space team and I hope we can work together again in the future.”

The completion of ‘Our Place, Our Planet’ demonstrates the value of creative and environmental activities in supporting personal development, encouraging cross-community understanding and helping young people connect with the places and people around them.

While the funded programme has now come to an end, the skills, experiences and relationships developed throughout the project will continue to benefit the young people and communities involved.