We are pleased to share this Belfast Live article featuring a young person who worked with Voicing the Void as part of a project supported by Belfast City Council’s Community Recovery Fund.
Through this project, we worked alongside both people affected by the 2024 and 2026 riots and those involved in the rioting. By creating opportunities for people to share their experiences, listen to one another and reflect on the impact of community tensions, we gained valuable insight into the role storytelling can play in building understanding and bringing people together.
The learning from this work has informed the development of our new online training, Bridging, Breaking and Building Belonging.
Drawing on personal stories, statistics and academic research, the training explores how language can either reinforce division or help build bridges between communities. It also highlights the importance of listening, understanding different perspectives and working collectively towards a more inclusive and accepting society.
We are grateful to everyone who has shared their experiences with us and helped shape this work.
Read the Belfast Live article: Read the full story
Explore our online training: Bridging, Breaking and Building Belonging
In mid-October, as part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2026, Voicing the Void hosted Small Acts at the Queen’s Film Theatre (QFT) in Belfast – an afternoon of film, spoken word, poetry and restorative storytelling.
The event brought together storytellers, community organisations, partners and members of the public to celebrate the power of lived experience and explore how storytelling can help us better understand harm, challenge prejudice and move towards repair.
A central part of the afternoon was the premiere of a collection of new short films, created with people across Belfast who have been affected by hate and racism. Through film and personal testimony, the storytellers shared experiences that are too often unheard, creating space for audiences to listen, reflect and gain a deeper understanding of the impact of hate and discrimination.
Following the screenings, some of the storytellers took to the stage to share their own spoken word and poetry. These powerful live performances explored themes of harm, resilience, identity and belonging, offering a personal insight into the experiences and journeys behind the stories.
We were also treated to a surprise flash mob from Voices of Young People in Care (VOYPIC), as part of our ongoing work together around ending violence against women and girls. Their performance brought energy to the afternoon and highlighted the importance of young people’s voices in shaping conversations and creating change.
The Right to Be Heard Lobbying Group also took to the stage to share their message and raise awareness of the three priorities they are campaigning on to bring about change within the criminal and family court systems. Their contribution was a reminder that sharing experiences can be about more than being heard; it can also be a way of influencing the systems and decisions that affect people’s lives.
The afternoon was also a celebration of achievement. We were delighted to welcome Geraldine Hanna, Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime, who presented certificates to participants who had successfully completed our OCN Level 1 course in Restorative Storytelling. Geraldine also shared reflections on the work she had witnessed, recognising the commitment and creativity of those using storytelling, dialogue and lived experience as tools for connection and change.
It was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the dedication of our participants and celebrate what they had achieved.
Small Acts was about recognising that change does not always begin with grand gestures. Sometimes it starts with listening to someone’s story, making space for a different perspective, challenging an injustice or choosing to understand an experience beyond our own.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who shared their stories, performed, contributed to the programme and joined us at the QFT. Their courage, creativity and willingness to share their experiences made the afternoon what it was.
The event would not have been possible without the support of Belfast City Council’s Community Recovery Fund, whose funding enabled us to bring these stories and voices to a wider audience.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Small Acts such a memorable celebration of storytelling, community and the power of being heard.
