Set of photographs #29

Tess asked Participant #32 about the first photo – Gortnasaor

Participant #32 said she loved the area, the neighbours.

Shops/Scenery – Participant #32 explained that the shops meant the love for the area. This shop was a place were the staff made you feel welcomed. Participant #32 was a newcomer to the area, she explained that it “took a year to get to know others, you can be very much on your own even when surrounded by houses and people”.

It was the staff and the people going to the shop that helped make her feel accepted and able to settle in. Participant #32 stated that she got to know a number of people through being in the shop. She felt it was a real focal point and also very welcoming and a warm place. Participant #32 said that she was glad she made the effort to get to know people.

Tess asked “what is it about the neighbours?”

Participant #32 – welcoming, friendly

Tess – “Friendliness is a Big Theme with [Participant #32]'s photos”. Tess highlighted that migrant people also have to make a huge effort to settle, to meet new people, make friends. Shops can cut down isolation. People don’t come to you – people like to be asked.

Tess – Why have you trees in this photo?

Participant #32 – I love nature and walking, I love the changing colours – autumn, spring, summer

Participant #32 – spoke about Dungannon Tech (now FE College) – this is where Participant #32 made a lot of friends.

Tess: What was it about the Tech?

Participant #32: enjoyed the experience, very nice, made friends, a great sense of spirit and fun.

Leisure Centre – attended the gym and swimming, Participant #32 said she liked going to leisure centre.

When asked why, Participant #32 replied “I am a people person”

Next Photo – First Steps Women’s Centre – Participant #32 said she loved this place. She was signposted to FSWC by friends. Participant #32 said how she felt welcomed.

Tess spoke about how Women Centres can and are a pathway into a route of Adult Education. She spoke about Women Centre’s offering a transport, childcare, free education. Tess spoke about how Women Centre’s can make you feel belonging and included.

Discussion around Friendship and Solidarity.

Other Photos

Lidl Shop – Participant #32 met a woman in Dungannon Lidl and told her all about FSWC and recommended that she should give it a try.

Tess – Lidl and a number of other shops have adapted to the different cultures living within Mid Ulster through the supply of different foods. This was to meet the demand from migrants and different nationalities now living within Mid Ulster. Used to have a market in town square – now have shops that can cater for many nationalities – a form of Inclusion.

Hill of the O’Neill – Participant #32 said that she had an interest in history. She mentioned that she went on a tour and learnt about the local history.

Tess – ‘You are walking on layers of history here. Every country has history – traditional costumes. And she asked Dora, “How did your costume become the traditional one?

History – can have painful memories, loss of own culture, Tess mentioned poet John Montague. ‘ A landscape we have lost the skill to read! As a result of the loss of Irish, people do not understand the meaning of the place names which are often topographical – describing the landscape. So people can have a sense of belonging or not in the place where they grew up!

Photo of Viscounts Restaurant – place for a special treat, still have original layout.

Dungannon Chapel [St Patrick’s Roman Catholic church] – Participant #32 – this photo – really beautiful inside, gives me “peace of mind” a place of tranquility.

Windmill Woods – photo about where Participant #32 goes for walks.

Picture of a Windmill in the Woods –

Light & Life Christian Church – Participant #32 – lovely experience, have singers from different countries.

Tess – explained that the photos above are about “Connecting” – different religions, being exposed to different cultures

Participant #32 – People better at mixing now

Dungannon Park – Photo of sign showing all the places

Photo of Rubbish in lake – Participant #32 hates to see people not caring about their neighbourhood, environment.

Discussion about olden days when there were no bins, people used to burn everything or throw it on the ground or, on farms, put rubblish in the dunghill. Changed now – most people “environmentally conscious” – learning to care and protect the bigger world.

Food Packages – Women in Belfast project had photos of food packages.

Chat about experience of Pakistani woman stopped by police, lived in Ballymena – nowhere to buy Halal food or paracetamol with vegetable and not meat gelatine.

Tess gave a quote about this woman “I have 2 souls” – meaning she had 1 soul for her love of Pakistan and 1 for N. Ireland too.

Tess spoke to group about “Taking time about going through the photos – She wants the women to have a good experience of explaining what they mean.

Adaptation – Tess asked about how the women have adapted, what are the big changes?