Talking with Jackie Redpath, Belfast

My first work in Northern Ireland was about 25 years ago. I have taught students in The Maze prison prior to the Good Friday Agreement, and from "both sides".

I have worked with colleges and community based organisation that span the different and sadly divided communities.

I have found unique and good people in all communities, who want to achieve a better future for everyone in Northern Ireland.

One such individual is Jackie Redpath. I came across Jackie over ten years ago when I was doing a study of education in The Greater Shankill area.

Since the early seventies, Jackie has been involved at the cutting edge of community development work in the Shankill area of Belfast and in peace and reconciliation across Belfast, N Ireland and in cross border initiatives with the Republic of Ireland.

He is currently Chief Executive of the Greater Shankill Partnership and been a founder member of a range of housing, economic, voluntary and reconciliation agencies including the NI Federation of Housing Associations and the NI Voluntary Trust (now Community Foundation for N Ireland).

We were discussing the role of families in supporting development, including educational development for the young. He has some great ideas, but is also faced with a political situation that presents its own challenges in getting innovative approaches underway. He is, and in the best sense of the word, a real fighter for those excluded from society's opportunities, and I was flattered to be asked to discuss his plans for the future.

You can hear Jackie speak of his life in this interview.