Love, Peace and Unity: The message from a group of disabled teenagers to Stormont
By Tara McLaughlin
In a week when the political institutions of Northern Ireland came crashing down, a disabled group of young people launched a sobering message of Love, Peace and Unity at Stormont.
Numerous charities here teamed up to form disabled children’s band, aptly named Upbeat Youth. The group featuring teenagers from Solas, Kids Together and Action Ability have recorded a dance single. They unveiled the song at a gala event at Stormont earlier this week.
While Northern Ireland precariously dangles on the brink of snap assembly elections and the prospect of direct rule after dramatic developments in the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal, the group of young people appealed to junior minister Megan Fearon and Alastair Ross to heed the song’s message.
The track was written by the participants and produced by critically acclaimed Joe McNally. Cool FM presenter Pete Snodden played it on his breakfast show recently.
He said: “It was great having the guys behind the single in the studio, you could see and feel the passion they had for the project and they could hardly believe what they had achieved.”
Pete added: “It was nice to see the look on their faces when the single was played on air. A nice memory for them all.”
Producer Joe McNally also praised the team effort.
“It has been a privilege producing and arranging the song Love Peace and Unity for these young people,” he said.
He described the experience as one of the highlights of his career.
“Having worked with many artists and bands this experience is up there with anything that I have done,” he added.
The project was funded by the Northern Ireland Executive through its summer camp programme. Junior Minister Alastair Ross said he was honoured to be at the launch.
“The Summer Camp Programme enables young people from different backgrounds and areas throughout Northern Ireland to come together to build friendships, break down barriers, learn about and respect each other’s traditions. All whilst learning new skills, sharing new experience and having fun,” he said.
The track can be downloaded via iTunes and will also be available to purchase in good record stores from February.
Hear the single here: