Appendix 4: Relevant findings from RIBA 2 public consultation
Survey responses
514 responses were received to the online survey.
The survey asked, “On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is very positive and 5 is very negative,Footnote thirty-three how do you feel about the development of Belfast Stories and the impact it will have on the area?”
The average score was 2.5. People and groups who may feel less favourable about Belfast Stories’ concept and impact include:
- People who identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or in another way
- Disabled people
- People from neither a Protestant nor Catholic community background
- People from minoritized ethnic community backgrounds
- Younger people aged 18 to 24
Findings across all engagement
The following findings are drawn from 514 survey responses, 63 consultation sessions with 838 participants and written responses from three organisations.
Accessibility
Consultees emphasised that best practice or universal access should be designed in to Belfast Stories at this stage. This should include consideration of:
- Physical accessibility
- Evacuation planning
- Sensory requirements
- Assistive technology
- Sign language interpretation
- Transport and parking
- Age-friendly design
- Dementia-friendly design
- Neurodivergence
- Key facilities including restrooms, Changing Places, quiet areas and help points
- Diverse storytelling representing different Section 75 dimensions
Consultees also emphasised that access should be embedded in Belfast Stories’ operation, when the knowledge and skills of staff in particular will be critical.
Building design
Consultees identified key aspects of the building design that would make them feel welcome. This included the open, permeable architectural design; wide, step-free entrances; and access to free, high-quality public space.
Aspects of the building that people felt might present barrier included the building’s façade and frontage, which some felt was unwelcoming.
Consultees would further welcome:
- Signage at entrances and regularly throughout the building
- Consideration of how nuisance and anti-social behaviour will be managed
- Consideration of acoustics
- Consideration of interior design
- Consideration of the location of key facilities
- Quiet spaces
Most people felt that the building should be neutral with no flags or emblems displayed.
Facilities mix
Consultees broadly welcomed the facilities mix with particularly strong support for the roof garden and courtyard.
Consultees suggested additional provision including a sensory garden, play facilities for children, use of the Irish language, a range of food offerings to suit people with dietary restrictions or to celebrate the diversity of Belfast’s communities, and inclusive cafes.
Visitor experience
Consultees were generally enthusiastic about the visitor experience provided it is engaging and well balanced with a wide range of stories.
Minority and minoritized communities in particular tended to like the idea that they and their stories would not be labelled or added to the edges.
There were some isolated, though not insignificant concerns raised about the time–space curatorial framework, including that:
- It may cause confusion including for some people with learning disabilities.
- Stories should be searchable, so there is a practical need for labelling or tagging.
Troubles-related stories
A different approach to curating the Troubles was generally appreciated. Survey respondents in particular were more likely not to want the Troubles retold. In practice, most people considered it a backdrop to their lives.
Other topics
Consultees stressed that stories should not be sanitised, prioritising “unfiltered, sometimes challenging perspectives” over “polished narratives”. Generally, it was felt that language should be retained as told (including, for example, in sign or Irish).
Some consultees cautioned against “overly” curating stories, which risks making the overall experience either “too politically neutral” or “propaganda”.
Some suggested there should be advisory notices to help community groups and parents navigate sensitive topics and language.
Other stories people would like to experience at Belfast Stories that could support equality of opportunity and promote good relations include:
- History that educates, particularly young people, particularly locating Belfast in global narratives (for example, the slave trade, migration, world war)
- Industrial and economic history including shipbuilding, linen, lesser-known industries and Belfast’s role in global trade and innovation
- Family and intergenerational stories
- Contemporary stories including reflections on modern Belfast, its regeneration and how young people are shaping its future
- Diversity and representation: stories from communities including working-class histories, geographic communities, minority and minoritized voices, the D/deaf community, LGBTQ+ experiences, stories of migration (from rural areas of NI and from outside NI) and more
- Stories offering hope and inspiration
- Protestant cultures and traditions including Orange and Ulster Scots
- Irish language, culture and tradition
- Major events, including relating to good relations and peacebuilding
Exhibition
Consultees expected stories to be told in a wide variety of ways appreciating that these would appeal to a wide audience’s communication preferences and requirements. This included:
- Interactive and immersive exhibits
- Playful and gamified elements particularly, but not exclusively for children and young people
- Multi-sensory experiences including sight, sounds, smell and touch
- Multi-language and inclusive formats including Irish and Ulster Scots, sign languages, other world languages, Braille and other tactile communication
- Reflection and quiet spaces
- Community conversations including with locals and volunteer storytellers
- Community spaces where communities and groups could exhibit their stories, archives or creativity
Changing at least some of the exhibition frequently would encourage people to visit again. However, some consultees felt that at least some things should stay the same to “anchor” their visit. This was particularly important for Autistic people, parents and community groups who might feel assured by knowing what to expect from a visit.
Story collection
Nearly three out of five (59 per cent) of survey respondents would share their stories. In face-to-face engagements, this was substantially more.
People expect story gathering to be clear, including easy-to-understand guidance on the process and how their stories would (or would not) be used. Comfort and safety may be particularly important for people of different political opinion, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people from more socially conservative community backgrounds.
People may also be encouraged by:
- Diverse ways to share as individuals and groups.
- Convenience. This includes being able to share their story at Belfast Stories, quickly or remotely (for example, by text message).
- Outreach, particularly to those who face additional social or physical barriers to getting to Belfast Stories.
- Engagement through schools and parents.
- Collaboration with organisations that are trusted by their communities including to engage geographic communities, the LGBTQ+ community and people from minoritized ethnic communities.
- Encouragement or invitation. Some people are more reticent because they do not feel they have anything to contribute or are not natural storytellers.
People may be more hesitant to tell their story because of:
- Concerns about judgment or ridicule, privacy and anonymity, incrimination, misinterpretation or misrepresentation. This mostly related to sensitive stories. People who felt less confident were also likely to be concerned about judgement or ridicule. It was also noted that what is considered sensitive or taboo changes over time (for example, health, disability, sexuality), which might particularly concern older people. Others may only feel ready or safe to share towards the end of their lives.
- Concerns about safety. It was noted that Belfast is a small place. While steps could be taken to protect anonymity, this is not always possible.
- Lack of trust. This includes in Belfast City Council, the motivations behind Belfast Stories and how stories would be collected, edited or displayed, including used for political purposes or as part of divisive narratives.
- Lack of confidence or not feeling that a story is interesting or worth telling or that a person has a story at all. This may be more likely to affect younger people, women and people, particularly women, from minoritised ethnic communities.
- Feeling that their story was not relevant. This includes people not born in Belfast.
- Feelings of exclusion: that their story would not be welcomed, valued or used as it does not align with received narratives. Protestant communities were described (at an engagement session in a predominantly Protestant area) as “more sceptical”. It was also considered that Belfast Stories could redress a perceived bias that Protestant communities have fewer stories.
Consultees conveyed a strong sense of urgency not to delay gathering the rich and varied stories of older people.
Operating model
At this stage, the long-term operating model for Belfast Stories is still in development. While consultees were not asked for their opinion, there was a high level of interest. Suggestions pertinent to equality of opportunity and promotion of good relations in the long-term include:
- Use of social clauses, employment academies, training programmes and apprenticeships targeting young people, disadvantaged groups and those seeking to upskill.
- Local community partnerships.
- Including community representatives and young people in the governance structure.
- Extended and flexible opening hours supporting people with sensory sensitivities or anxiety.
- Quiet hours.
- Free or discounted entrance fees, in particular for pensioners and young people.
- Free tickets for carers or companions of disabled visitors.
- Effective marketing considering different audiences including disabled people and older people.
City centre context
While respondents were pleased about investment in this part of Belfast, the main barrier identified to Belfast Stories was the wider city centre, which was considered to be rundown, unattractive and unsafe, particularly among younger people, older people, parents, carers and women.
Travel and transport
Another major barrier cited frequently by consultees was getting to Belfast Stories. Issues and concerns included parking; drop-off; public transport; pavements and pathways.
Footnotes
Footnote thirty-three: There is some mismatch between comments and scores indicating that some people interpreted 1 to be negative and 5 to be positive.
