3/4/25: In early 2025, a unique collaboration got underway between the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation (Glencree) and University College Cork (UCC) for a Wellbeing and Creativity Project that aimed to create meaningful connections between individuals seeking international protection in Ireland and the UCC community.
Developed collaboratively by Glencree’s Intercultural and Refugee Programme Manager, Nadette Foley, and Trauma & Wellness Consultant, Patty Abozaglo, and Céire Broderick of UCC’s Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies centre, the project focus was to deepen UCC students' engagement with social justice issues, promote actions supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provide opportunities for contributing to research in this area.
During the pilot phase, which was funded by UCC, the project was integrated into the university’s ‘Creative Practices on Social Justice and Marginalities in Latin America’ module and attended by students of the ‘Masters in Migration’ programme. This phase set out to determine the feasibility and potential benefits of the project for these student groups.
The project unfolded over several sessions, beginning with a Welcome Café in UCC in February. Glencree engaged with individuals and groups from Latin America and Africa who are seeking international protection in Ireland living in the Cork region. They joined the students for a Glencree facilitated introduction to self-care and trauma-healing practices based on the Capacitar International Multicultural Wellness Programme. These practices, which are informed by Paulo Freire’s Popular Education methodology and designed to overcome language barriers, focus on restorative movement and mindfulness to promote self-care and healing. Alongside this, Céire Broderick introduced creative collaging as an additional tool for self-expression and reflection.
A highlight of the pilot phase was a visit by the group to Glencree in February. Participants engaged in a longer Wellness and Relaxation workshop, followed by a collaging exercise on the theme of light. These creative and healing practices, the opportunity for everyone to come together for lunch at the Armory Cafe, and being immersed in nature and the natural beauty of the Glencree valley, left a lasting impact on attendees. Reflections which captured the depth of this holistic experience included:
The final session of the pilot phase place in March in the historic Council Chamber of UCC’s Old Quadrangle, where 24 participants immersed themselves once again in Capacitar practices facilitated by Patty followed by a creative collaging session by Céire. With Spring sunlight streaming through the mullioned windows, the session fostered a sense of renewal and connection. Reflections from the day underscored the emotional and psychological benefits of the experience:
This meaningful initiative highlighted the power of creative and trauma-informed practices in strengthening connections and fostering wellbeing. As one participant reflected, “Community-building is more important than ever". By creating a safe space for participants to relax and reduce stress, particularly as a result of migration experiences, participant feedback indicates a strong interest in further stages of this project. There has also been expressed interest in making the combined Capacitar and Collaging methodologies available to other groups, such as working mothers and children. Glencree looks forward to exploring further collaboration with UCC as well as other collaboration partners as we continue this important work in promoting wellbeing, inclusion and reconciliation.
#GlencreeIntercultural #GlencreeWelcomesRefugees
“My energy levels raised from 1 to 10.”
“Community-building is more important than ever".
Fill in your details and we will send you a link to the toolkit.
