Making Change to mark Good Relations Week!

To commemorate Good Relations Week 2023, WheelWorks Arts (WWA) is excited to introduce its ChangeMaker program, dedicated to promoting workplace equality, diversity and fostering 'good relations.'

Originally conceived to foster cohesion and tolerance within communities, the ChangeMaker method has now been adapted to enhance understanding, tolerance, and equity among employees in various organizations.

Modern workplaces are characterized by unprecedented diversity, bringing both opportunities and challenges. ChangeMaker offers a transformative learning experience that melds coaching and art methodologies to delve into the significance of inclusion and diversity in the workplace. Through engaging sessions, participants will acquire practical skills, delve into conscious and unconscious biases, and explore creative approaches to cultivating an inclusive work environment.

In 2022–23, the Northern Ireland Executive Office generously funded a year-long ChangeMaker pilot program spanning two local council areas. It engaged 38 community and youth sector leaders, primarily operating in areas with multiple challenges such as deprivation and sectarian tensions. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with all participants reporting enriching experiences. They gained insights into their decision-making processes and their impact on output, creativity, biases, and productivity. During one ChangeMaker session, participants created 'Bias,' a unique artwork, which they presented to Gareth Johnston, Deputy Secretary of Good Relations and Inclusion at the Northern Ireland Executive. In a letter of appreciation, Gareth expressed that 'Bias' now adorns his office wall, serving as a daily reminder to consider his biases and embrace a diverse range of perspectives in his advisory role to the First and Deputy First Ministers.

The upcoming ChangeMaker session is scheduled for 26 September 2023, with available slots for participants. For more information about ChangeMaker or to book a course for your staff, please reach out to Stevie McGirr, Business and Fundraising Officer, at business@wheelworksarts.com. Additional details can be found here. .