Jenny Monroe talks to Adrienne Madden, NI director of Friends Forever

Adrienne also works as a communications manager for Basil McCrea MLA based in Lisburn. She has a degree in English literature, and a Post Graduate Degree in Communications and previously worked in a communications capacity for the Women's Centre.

A typical day in my life involves working as Communications Manager for Mr Mcrea in his Lisburn office as well as liasing with the Co founder of the charity, Steve Martineau. Mr McCrea recommended that I became involved with the charity so he is very understanding of the work I do.

Towards the end of my working day I will hold conference calls with steve as this will be morning time where he is based. We discuss events and reports and any issues arising.

Friends Forever work annually in tandem with local YMCAs to bring 30 young people aged between 15 - 17 years of age, to North America for what they call the 'Life Raft' programme. We have been in talks with the Lisburn YMCA and hope to include them within the next year or two in the program. I have been heavily involved with the programme since I took up my new position. The 'Life Raft' programme, which lasts two weeks, combines team building exercises both for fun such as visit to adventure courses and community awareness, by volunteer work. I will be heading away with the young people myself.

The people involved also gain wider cultural appreciation by visiting American teenagers at local high schools, and also educate others about their culture by publicly speaking to Rotary Clubs about their experience of growing up in Northern Ireland. When the young people return to Northern Ireland, phase two of the process begins with 8 formal meetings throughout the year. They discuss their preconceptions before the trip, and continue to bond by applying the understanding of their experiences to their own communities and peers. I will be heading out with a group of young people this month and I am really looking forward to it. The organisation hopes that with our new established offices in Northern Ireland, we will be able to reconnect with our past-participants, and also to expand to invite more young people onto the programme. It is our hope that this new engagement will refresh their understanding of the importance of promoting active cross community relationships.

The young people involved develop a truly considerate awareness of those around them, and each seeks to illustrate the skills they have learnt with us to their peers. This positive impact on their communities is creating more building blocks towards the peaceful Northern Ireland we are all keen to work towards.

I really enjoy working for Friends Forever. Sustainable peace can only be achieved by ensuring that the work of reconciliation reaches every corner of society and that all take part. I am confident Friends Forever can make a meaningful contribution to this process.