Forthspring's After Schools Project provides children aged 5-11 years from both sections of the community with the opportunity to meet and participate in activities in a safe and welcoming environment.

Our primary aims are:
	To reduce the unnecessary segregation of children in the community
	To encourage understanding and sharing of the values of different cultural traditions
	To help each child realise and develop their full potential.

The After schools team runs six sessions a week during which we provide a wide range of stimulating play opportunities which encourage co-operation and teamwork and include activities which educate the children about different world issues such as the environment, health and poverty.

Such activities provide an alternative to the almost total polarization children along the Springfield Road Interface experience. While recognizing that such community relations work is a long term process, we envisage that through early intervention we will have the opportunity to promote acceptance, understanding and respect for others before bigoted ideas become entrenched and form the basis for later intergroup conflict.

During the last few years the children have taken part in many outside activities such as "This Morning" Christmas Appeal and Comic Relief. They have also been involved with Harmony Trust, at Glebe House. In summer 2001 the children also completed a mural, which was unveiled by local celebrities, "Hole in the Wall Gang". The money raised from this event went to the NSPCC.

~ Kirstie Boal (Playworker), 2003

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