b'FIGHTING WORDSPhotos: Joe LavertyFighting Words Northern Irelandis an ambitious, creative force for the future of NI that is aiming to reach thousands of young people every year through wide-ranging partnerships. Ofcourse,therearechallengesbesidesthepandemic Our goal is to reach every child in Northern Ireland with Brexit,andourownhome-grownpoliticaluncertaintiesa creative writing experience by 2025. To achieve this (withbut we are determined to rise to them. Were poised toaround 350,000 students across 1,800 schools) we aim toexpandourcross-communityandreconciliationengage- provide 70,000 creative writing experiences per year by 2025.ment, working with partners such as Youth Action NI, andWere here now, for the long term, broadcasting loud and of course were working with Fighting Words in other partsclear the reality that young people on this island are all equal, of Ireland to bring together children and young people northcreative beings.and south to imagine and create new stories. To achieve all this, we need to expand our team and specically, with the Glenn Patterson was born, and lives, in Belfast. A foundingsupport of donors to The Ireland Funds, were recruiting apatron of Fighting Words NI, he is Director of the Seamus Heaney Director to lead our expansion in a sustainable, strategic way. Centre, Queens University, Belfast, a writer, novelist, journalist Our priority is to continue to build a growing fam- and playwright.ily of donors committed to our vision and values who will help us build our team and capacity so that we can continue to expand and reach the young people who need us most - those with mental health issues and those from poorer back-grounds with access to fewer opportunities.connect 202038'