Pupils eyes are opened by play

School pupils from across Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough have had the chance to see a hard-hitting play which explores a number of issues.
Fionnuala McGoldrick (writer); Stephen Beck and Cameron Hughes; Cllr Linda Clarke, Chair of Antrim and Newtownabbey PCSP; Superintendent Muir Clark, PSNI District Commander for Antrim and Newtownabbey; Sophie Curran; Mr Millar, Lucy Walsh. Back row features cast members Conor Begley, Lauren McCrory, Bradley Curran and Sarah Jane Nugent. INNT 43-819CONFionnuala McGoldrick (writer); Stephen Beck and Cameron Hughes; Cllr Linda Clarke, Chair of Antrim and Newtownabbey PCSP; Superintendent Muir Clark, PSNI District Commander for Antrim and Newtownabbey; Sophie Curran; Mr Millar, Lucy Walsh. Back row features cast members Conor Begley, Lauren McCrory, Bradley Curran and Sarah Jane Nugent. INNT 43-819CON
Fionnuala McGoldrick (writer); Stephen Beck and Cameron Hughes; Cllr Linda Clarke, Chair of Antrim and Newtownabbey PCSP; Superintendent Muir Clark, PSNI District Commander for Antrim and Newtownabbey; Sophie Curran; Mr Millar, Lucy Walsh. Back row features cast members Conor Begley, Lauren McCrory, Bradley Curran and Sarah Jane Nugent. INNT 43-819CON

The educational play, ‘Blinded by Love’ highlights the importance of appropriate behaviour and the dangers of dating violence, sexting and grooming.

The play has recently been performed to Year 10-12 pupils at Glengormley High School, Edmund Rice College, Antrim Grammar, Parkhall Integrated College, Crumlin Integrated College, Belfast High School, St Benedict’s College, Abbey Community College, Northern Regional College and Hazelwood Integrated College.

BEAM Creative Network delivered the play which has been funded by Antrim and Newtownabbey Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) through the Assets Recovery Community Scheme (ARCS). Officers from the PSNI also attended the performances and discussed the criminal implications of the behaviours highlighted in the play.

Glengormley High School Year 12 pupils Cameron, Stephen, Sophie and Lucy with playwright Fionnuala McGoldrick and actors from Beam Creative network who performed a play, Blinded by Love, at the school, a play about dating violence, unhealthy relationships and online abuse. INNT 41-204-AMGlengormley High School Year 12 pupils Cameron, Stephen, Sophie and Lucy with playwright Fionnuala McGoldrick and actors from Beam Creative network who performed a play, Blinded by Love, at the school, a play about dating violence, unhealthy relationships and online abuse. INNT 41-204-AM
Glengormley High School Year 12 pupils Cameron, Stephen, Sophie and Lucy with playwright Fionnuala McGoldrick and actors from Beam Creative network who performed a play, Blinded by Love, at the school, a play about dating violence, unhealthy relationships and online abuse. INNT 41-204-AM

Chair of Antrim and Newtownabbey PCSP, Councillor Linda Clarke is pleased that the project has helped to educate young people about the serious issues.

“We are extremely pleased to have been able to fund this valuable project to educate young people from the Borough on these important issues and give students contact details for help and advice should they need it. Feedback from students and teachers has been extremely positive and we hope it has highlighted the dangers of dating violence, sexting and grooming,” she said.

Kathryn O’Neill, Manager of BEAM Creative Network hopes that the play will help reduce the number of incidents related to dating violence, sexting and grooming in the Borough.

For more information on the project contact Lois Kilpatrick, PCSP project officer on 028 9034 0011.