The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) was established by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in 2012 in recognition of the fact that children are more likely to be protected when agencies work in an all-inclusive, coordinated and consistent way.
Alongside other churches, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is part of an Interfaith Sub Group within SBNI working to promote the welfare of children across Northern Ireland. The SBNI has commissioned a powerful new play Invictus to raise awareness about childhood adversity. The play will also help young people cope with stress and build resilience and help them overcome a whole host of critical life moments. It is hoped that by actors talking about the issues on stage, it may inspire young people to open up and talk about them to their families, youth workers and others with whom they come into contact.
The play will be performed by Alter EGO Creative Solutions, an English drama company who are touring the UK.
The play consists of three monologues on the subjects of mental health, neglect and domestic abuse with the performance itself lasting for 35 minutes. This will be followed by a 20 minute post-show talk with the audience. Throughout the evening, young people will also be sign-posted to where they can go to for help and advice, should they need it.
The play has already been performed in Northern Ireland with positive tweet reviews highlighting its worth:
“Our year 9 and 10 pupils had the opportunity to watch a performance by the Alter EGO Theatre Company entitled Invictus … the play highlighted many of the social issues facing young people in an entertaining but informative way”
“Absolutely loving the Invictus play - The Alter EGO performance dealing with trauma and resilience is a must see.”
We are delighted that one performance of the play can be hosted, free of charge, by the Taking Care office, part of the Council for Social Witness within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. It is aimed at young people in school year 8 and above, however, we would welcome parents, carers, teachers and other professionals working with young people to come along with them.
Why not come along and trigger a conversation about these important topics with your young people. You would be made very welcome.
Invictus Play is on Wednesday 11th March at 7.00pm in Assembly Buildings, 2-10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast BT1 6DW.
To book a place, register here.
Dr Jacqui Montgomery-Devlin is PCI’s Head of Safeguarding in the Council for Social Witness.