British Red Cross and PEACEPLUS launch new youth project HumanKind for communities in Derry and Strabane

The British Red Cross is proud to announce the launch of HumanKind, a new cross-community project designed to empower young people and strengthen community resilience in the Derry/Londonderry and Strabane areas. 

The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), and is funded through Derry City and Strabane District Council’s PEACEPLUS Local Co-Designed Action Plan. 

HumanKind is delivered under the plan’s theme of Celebrating Cultures and Diversity and is aimed at engaging local residents — especially those aged 15-25 — with opportunities to learn, volunteer, and celebrate cultural diversity. 

The initiative features a five-week Humanitarian Actor Course, which provides practical skills in humanitarian action, emergency first aid, mental health, and local volunteering, along with volunteering action days and cultural and community activities.

The official launch event will take place today, Thursday 6 March, from 6pm to 7:30pm at Muriel Anderson House.

Maud Tinsley, British Red Cross Humankind Programme Manager said: “I am very excited to launch the HumanKind programme. We have a wide range of activities, and I’d like to encourage everyone — especially those aged 15-25 — to come along and get involved.”

“Over the next two years, we hope to foster meaningful conversations and connections that can drive real change in communities. Together, we can make a lasting impact.”

Courses and events will be scheduled throughout 2025 and 2026, with dates to be announced soon. Participation in HumanKind is completely free.

To find out more about the British Red Cross please visit redcross.org.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors 

This programme is being delivered by the British Red Cross with some activities being supported by the Irish Red Cross. 

HumanKind is funded by PEACEPLUS. Read more about PEACEPLUS and the Special EU Programmes Body on the SEUPB website.

The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

For further information please contact: press@redcross.org.uk / 0207 877 7557

About the British Red Cross

For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. With millions of volunteers in over 190 countries, the British Red Cross is part of an international humanitarian Movement that’s there for people before, during and after a crisis. Together, we are the world’s emergency responders. www.redcross.org.uk  

Both the British Red Cross and the Irish Red Cross are members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. They are guided by the Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.