PEOPLE living near interfaces across north Belfast feel more comfortable about frequenting areas that they previously considered "out of bounds", a cross-community survey has revealed.
Co-ordinated by the Twaddell Ardoyne Shankill Communities in Transition (TASCIT) partnership, the 'Promoting Positive Change' report charts the experiences of around 50 people living around interfaces.
The report was launched yesterday in the Houben Centre on the Crumlin Road at an event addressed by Nuala McAllister, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, and Peter Osborne, the chairman of the Community Relations Council.
One participant said: "I have seen people from the Shankill turn left and walk their dogs up the road towards the Ardoyne shops in recent months - rather than down to the 'safe' loyalist part of the road.
"I have also seen young lads in GAA tops happily walking down from the Ardoyne shops as far as Hillview. These things would not have happened in the past. It’s a huge thing. The invisible wall has been coming down."
Rab McCallum, North Belfast Interface Network Coordinator and TASCIT member, said: "Some of what was recorded may not seem like major things, like people feeling comfortable in where they go, but given the history and intensity of conflict in north Belfast – as shown in many of these accounts – these are significant steps forward.
"The change is reflective of high quality cross-community activity taking place and bringing people together."
He added: "We are realistic about the challenges that communities in this area face, but it is right to highlight the positive progress that is being made and to challenge the narrative that nothing has changed or been improved in this part of north Belfast."
