Celebrating culture and inclusion as Downshire Estate hosts Diversity Fun Day

The South Eastern Trust, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and CDRCN welcomed more than 1,000 people to a Diversity Celebration Day in the Downshire Estate in Downpatrick at the weekend.

The event was designed for the local community, staff and their families from the partner agencies to celebrate the richness of diversity, while promoting unity, inclusion and cross-cultural understanding.

Guests enjoyed a packed programme of activities throughout the day. Traditional music and dance performances brought cultures to life, while a variety of food stalls offered a culinary journey around the world. Creative arts and crafts were also on hand for those who wanted to try something different. Families made the most of the fun-filled day with children’s entertainment including bouncy castles, balloon modelling, face painting, caricatures and mascots, including a large dragon and ranger, Stitch and Minion Bob.

Alongside the entertainment, a range of Trust departments and local voluntary organisations hosted information stalls, showcasing the services and support available to staff and the wider community.

Noto Lugayeni who attended the event stated, “The Diversity Fun Day was a truly wonderful experience and I was delighted to see people from diverse backgrounds come together to share food, music and stories. My children thoroughly enjoyed all the activities and my seven year old even fell asleep in the car on the way home, a testament to how much fun she had!  The characters and caricatures were a significant hit and we are grateful for the photo opportunities which will allow our family to cherish such fond memories for years to come.”

South Eastern Trust Chief Executive, Roisin Coulter said, “Diversity is one of our greatest strengths and this event has shown just how much we can achieve when we come together to celebrate and learn from one another. It was fantastic to see so many people attend the event and to share their cultures, traditions and experiences in such a positive and inclusive way.”

Highlighting the success of the event, South Eastern Trust Equality Officer, Denise Hopps added, “This Diversity Celebration Day has been a wonderful success. It has provided a space for staff, families and our partners to come together in an atmosphere of joy and inclusion. We hope the event will continue to inspire greater understanding, respect and unity across our Trust and communities.”

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell, said, “Today was a fantastic turnout for the Diversity Celebration Family Fun Day. I’d like to extend my congratulations to the organisers for putting together such a wonderful event. It’s truly inspiring to see so many people from different cultures and backgrounds coming together in the spirit of community, friendship, and inclusion. Events like this play a vital role in promoting understanding, celebrating diversity, and strengthening community cohesion."

The Area Manager of the Housing Executive Claire Crainey said they were delighted to co-sponsor the event through their Race Relations funding. “Days like today remind us that our communities are strongest when they are inclusive, welcoming and built on respect for one another. Thanks to all those who organised the event and everyone who came along to join in the fun”.