A support and social group for families with children of mixed ethnic heritage founded in June 2021 by Stephanie Laird Arnold.& Anne Laird as part of a Beyond Skin PeaceIV programme.

Jam 'n' Iré started from a simple email ? 

Stephanie: "I have noticed about 3 other families in Downpatrick with mixed race children and I was thinking it would be great for my kids to socialise with them even if it was once a month like we use to (pre covid) with a same sex families group in Belfast.  .My question is can you by any chance point me into the right direction to any youth groups  for BAME children or could you support me in setting something up?

Darren: "...it would be very cool for you to set something up and we would support you all we can. Giving it 100%"

Through the PeaceIV programme with additional support from Phoenix Gas, National Trust, Fired Food, Flamin' Chops, Arts Council NI and Shelley Deane (Brehon Advisory) Stephanie & Anne along with other parents implemented and developed their vision that included a residential in 2021 at Corrymeela facilitated by Shelley.

Since June 2021 the group has grown signficantly becoming an idependent association with their own board of trustees and have over 100 families as members. 

"Jam 'n' Irè represents my kids heritage Jamaican and Irish. Plus if you say it in Patois (Jamaican accent) it's saying chilling together and everything is alright." Stephanie Laird-Arnold,

jamnire_ni@yahoo.com    Instagram: @jamnire_ni