Honouring the rich, complex and often untold stories of women whose lives are shaped by migration
About Heritage Journeys
Supported By
The Project
The Heritage Project captures and records the stories of migrant women who have settled in Mid-Ulster between 2000 and 2024, preserving their intangible cultural heritage and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard.
The Heritage Project captures and records the migrant women’s stories, focusing on the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of the women who have travelled to and settled in the Mid-Ulster area between 2000 and 2024. The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with First Steps Women’s Centre (FSWC) has made this story telling possible. These stories have been waiting to be told, helping women integrate back into their own lives and also their new lives in Mid-Ulster. Through the project we have connected with the women, their memories and recollection of their heritage and explored the importance of traditions and how these have been retained, lost or diminished since arrival in Mid-Ulster and reflected on how these traditions have evolved in a new environment or sadly have been left behind.
In so doing a rich tapestry of memories, traditions and stories have been uncovered bringing a greater glimpse and understanding of the struggles, resilience, determination and hopes of the migrant women. There is a risk these stories will be lost and forgotten over time so it is therefore imperative that FSWC act as an agency through which stories can be told, captured and shared bringing an opportunity to inform people and communities who have limited or any knowledge of the heritage of women from other and diverse nationalities. Perhaps through storytelling and highlighting the difficulties faced by many women, the fires of hate, prejudice and racism can be diminished and our communities will begin to reflect, to take notice and perhaps acknowledge the true humanity of these women bringing acceptance, integration and a richer, evolving, diverse society. These stories tell a bigger story of a country evolving growing in generosity, resilience and belonging. This is our hope.
Project Purpose
Why this Project Matters
Preserving Stories at Risk
There is a real risk that these stories may be lost over time. The project ensures women’s experiences, memories and traditions are documented, archived and shared.
Celebrating Resilience
Through storytelling, we uncover resilience, strength and determination, offering deeper understanding of the migrant experience.
Building Understanding
By sharing these voices with schools, councils and local communities, we create space for reflection, dialogue and mutual respect.
What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?
Project Purpose
“Cultural heritage does not end at monuments and collections of objects. It also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts.
While fragile, intangible cultural heritage is an important factor in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of growing globalization. An understanding of the intangible cultural heritage of different communities helps with intercultural dialogue, and encourages mutual respect for other ways of life.
The importance of intangible cultural heritage is not the cultural manifestation itself but rather the wealth of knowledge and skills that is transmitted through it from one generation to the next. The social and economic value of this transmission of knowledge is relevant for minority groups and for mainstream social groups within a State, and is as important for developing States as for developed ones.”
According to UNESCO
Encouraging Migrant Women
By encouraging migrant women to tell their stories and providing an opportunity to both hear and listen to their voices, the hope is that through providing a safe space to share and through connecting with communities, schools, local communities, councils and voluntary groups we can facilitate and navigate intercultural dialogue and indeed foster a mutual respect of other traditions, peoples and nationalities whilst aiding through archiving and recording rich histories and knowledge not only important to minority groups but the evolving society in Mid-Ulster and beyond.
Our Impact
Preserving voices.
Inspiring understanding.
Strengthening community.
01
Safe Spaces
Providing supportive environments where women feel heard.
02
Intercultural Dialogue
Encouraging mutual respect between communities.
03
Living Archive
Creating a lasting record of evolving heritage in Mid-Ulster.
Get Involved
Be part of the Journey
Our Impact
Why Mid Ulster?
According to the Northern Ireland Census 2021, of the ten councils outside of Belfast, Mid Ulster District Council is the most ethnically diverse.
Census figures show ethnically non-white people make up 7.5% of Belfast City Council’s residents, but Mid Ulster’s non-white figure of 3.99% is the highest of the remaining council areas. This is likely to have increased significantly in the last 4 years since the previous census. It is the fastest growing Council area in Northern Ireland, with a multicultural population of 146,427 is forecast to grow to 165,000 by 2030 (www.midulstercouncil.org).
Mid Ulster has been referred to as the “beating heart” of Northern Ireland’s economy, with lots of talent, lower costs and high-speed international connectivity.