Inter-generational comic “Bridges of Unity” launched in Derry

ABOVE: Pictured at the launch of the Bridges of Unity comic book by COSY (CitizensOf Senior Years), Rutledge Training and funders the Community Relations Council were, from left, Danny McLaughlin, Revolve Comics, designer, Carmel Harkin, Chairperson of COSY, Colm McLaughlin, Operations Manager, Rutledge Training, Teresa McDonagh, Vice Chair of COSY, and Paul Gormley, tutor, Rutledge Training. (Photos: Keith Moore, nwpresspics)

An inter-generational comic has been launched to address tolerance, acceptance and respect of different cultures.

Citizens of Senior Years (COSY Group) and a group of young Students at Rutledge Training collaborated to produce the inter-generational comic.

The project was funded by the Community Relations Council of Northern Ireland.

The comic book was created locally by Danny McLaughlin from Revolve Comics.

One of the features of the Comic is that it highlighted some of the landmarks around the Derry city area.

Both groups came together over a series of seven workshops to develop their story. This led to successful partnership working and the creation of the “Bridges of Unity” comic Book which emphasises tolerance and acceptance of Culture and Diversity.

The Workshops were facilitated by Danny McLaughlin. The workshops allowed everyone to play their role to develop, empower and co-designed the Comic from beginning to end.

Seeing the final product throughout the different workshops allowed both inter generalised groups to gain a sense of ownership from the Comic production.

The Vice Chair of Citizens of Senior Years (COSY Group), Teresa McDonagh congratulated all the participants of COSY and Rutledge Training for all their hard work.

“The comic book will attempt to provide a model for acceptance of culture and diversity within this city,” she said.

Mrs McDonagh thanked the Community Relations Council for Northern Ireland for funding the project.

Mrs McDonagh also thanked Danny for a fantastic job of bring all the groups ideas and suggestions to life within the Comic Book.

Mrs McDonagh also informed the launch that this had been the second project where the two groups had worked together.

The two groups had produced a short film a few years ago to address Disability Awareness.

Mrs McDonagh is a former Diversity Champion of Northern Ireland.

The Regional Manager of Rutledge Training, Colm McCaughan also congratulated both COSY and the students at Rutledge for coming together within the workshops and producing such “a unique Comic to address acceptance of culture and diversity”.

Young people who contributed to the design pictured at the launch of the Bridges of Unity comic book by COSY (CitizensOf Senior Years), Rutledge Training and funders the Community Relations Council. Included are, Danny McLaughlin, right, Revolve Comics, designer, and Teresa McDonagh, left, Vice Chair of COSY. (Photos: Keith Moore, nwpresspics)

On a personal level Mr McCaughan thanked all the staff who had supported the young students towards completing the publication of the comic.

Mr McCaughan also thanked the Community Relations Council for funding the project.

He also informed the audience that Danny McLaughlin and Revolve Comics had done an “invaluable service in bringing together all the groups’ suggestions into developing the format of this Comic”.

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Danny congratulated both groups on producing this unique project, "learning about storytelling and comic book design gave all the participants a sense of empowerment to create a story about tolerance and acceptance of difference. It was a privilege to be a part of this project”.

In the next few days the entire comic will go on general release for free on Facebook, X and other Social Media platforms to give everybody the opportunity to see it for themselves.

It is hoped that this comic can be used within a youth and educational programme especially for Health and Social Care training.