Lurgan event to feature film exploring conflict-related trauma and recovery
An award-winning feature documentary exploring issues of conflict-related trauma and recovery is to be screened at a special event in the Jethro Centre, Lurgan.
‘The Quiet Shuffling of Feet’ highlights the hard-hitting theme through the eyes of David Bolton, who coordinated the response of community health services to both the Enniskillen and Omagh bombings,
David is the author of Conflict, Peace & Mental Health, a case study from Northern Ireland on addressing trauma and loss which describes the work undertaken to identify and address the mental health impacts of the Troubles.
The film will be screened at the Jethro Centre on Wednesday, April 15 at 7.30pm.
Georgina Maginn, Chair of the Community Outreach Group hosting the special event said: “We are delighted to screen the film and to welcome David Bolton and the filmmaker Fergus Cooper for a Q & A session afterwards.
"David had personal connections to many of the bereaved and injured of the Enniskillen bombing responding in his role as a social worker. Much later - at the time of the Omagh bombing - he was the Director of Community Care for the Sperrin & Lakeland Trust.
"He worked on the community recovery response for many years thereafter.”
The film was shot mainly on location in Fermanagh and Tyrone over a seven-month period by independent filmmakers, Linen Green Media.
Producer-director Fergus Cooper said: “The film is dedicated to all the victims and survivors of conflict and to the many people who support them on their recovery journey. It is a very personal film, the remarkable story of a humanitarian faced with unbearable trauma.
"While this is David’s story when you see the film, you realise this is all our stories.”
David Bolton said he was “initially reluctant” to make this film as he thought that the time had passed to talk publicly about the harrowing events he and colleagues witnessed.
"However, it seems the human costs of our conflict are being forgotten, along with the memory of how much it has taken to bring it to an end,” he said.
"It seemed necessary to speak again of the hurt, loss and trauma that so many have endured, of unmet needs and the consequences for our children and grandchildren.
"Research into the impact of the Troubles on mental and physical health shows a clear link between exposure to traumatic events associated to the violence and poorer health outcomes. There is a clear and overwhelming case for significant increased investment in current and new services to address the needs arising from the years of violence. And yet we spend considerably less on mental health than in England.”
The Community Outreach Group developed from a joint initiative of the local Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic parishes seeking to promote better understanding of each others communities. Now over 20 years in existence the group has grown and thrived and continues with its mission to promote respect, tolerance and an inclusive community.
Georgina Maginn added: “I’m looking forward to sharing this film and event with the people of Lurgan. With so much conflict in the Middle East it is easy to despair. However, with we are all on a journey, there is hope and peace and reconciliation are a prize worth striving for.”