Family Early Intervention Support

Family Early Intervention programme – Funding of two part-time home visitors continues to have a huge impact on families in North Belfast. The team provide 1-1 support to parents in their own home and support the children of these families, aged between 0-18, either at home or in the school setting. Typically, in a six month period, the support workers can help up to 33 families with individual interventions consisting of over 35 parents and close to 50 children. Of these children over 50% are typically experiencing neuro-diversity, either going through the ASD or ADHD assessment or having already received a diagnosis of ASD or ADHD.

Parents who engage with the programme receive tailor-made support that promotes family routines, togetherness and emotional regulation. The results from these interventions are evident, with families functioning more positively and resilience being acquired to deal with any obstacles that come their way in the future.

Creative Digital Hub

Creative Digital Hub – a facility based at St Malachys College to bring together students from North Belfast to develop their digital skills using VR machines, building and programming Lego robots and collaborating through projects in a state-of-the-art gaming arena. The Belfast Charitable Society helped cover the costs of employing two posts, a Creative Technology Leader and a Creative Technologist, and contributed towards the building refurbishment including furniture and equipment. To date, those using the facility include four schools: St Malachy’s College, Belfast Boys Model, Dominican College Fortwilliam and Belfast Royal Academy; over 20 different subject teachers; and nearly 1,000 students from years 8 – 14 . Specific courses delivered include digital enrichment, google workspace, coding, Minecraft, and the use of VR headsets to explore a Nuclear Fission reactor. The equipment also aided the KS3 Digital Curriculum. This has had a positive influence on the numbers of students choosing computer science for GCSE which has increased significantly. The project has developed strong links with industry and Ulster University.

Mary Ann McCracken Bursary Programme

Mary Ann McCracken Post Primary bursaries – For 16 years old + students from North Belfast, providing access to financial support to break down barriers to higher education, employment or training. Belfast Charitable Society and The Mary Ann McCracken Foundation funding for the bursaries is matched with a series of other funders including the Raj Darshna Fund, LFT Charitable Trust, The James Kane Foundation and Hunter Smyth fund. In 2023, over 60 students were supported across 12 post primary schools in North Belfast. The bursaries have been used to support transport costs to University; studying resources like books and laptops; clothes for interviews; equipment for specialist courses like catering or engineering, to name but a few. With the help of the schools, each bursary is tailored for the need of the student selected, maximising its impact.

Shankill Area Learning Community

The Shankill Area Learning Community – a network of 8 primary school principals, work collaboratively to develop leadership, address issues, challenges and opportunities unique to the Shankill community. They work with the Greater Shankill Partnership, local post primary schools, Queens University and sit on several local community group committees. Belfast Charitable Society currently part funds a Co-Ordinator post for the Shankill Area Learning Community. The role will manage shared learning, resources and expertise among the Shankill primary schools, coordinate these aspects and cover lessons for teachers to pursue continuous professional development.

‘Cost-of-Living Crisis’ Schools Support Fund

The People’s Kitchen

The People’s Kitchen – provides outreach, drop-in, signposting, and food to create a safety net for homeless people in Belfast. Funding provided by Belfast Charitable Society contributed towards the day-to-day running costs of this essential crisis service over their busiest period in winter. The funding provided 800 meals per week from December to March, bought 500 sleeping bags; bought sleeping mats for rough sleepers and emergency blankets during the storm; purchased 38 mobile phones to help individuals get connected with their support services; helped TPK support 67 people find temporary accommodation – during the worst weather; and enabled them to provide transport for those homeless who had been allocated temporary accommodation. Urgent direct support for those in real crisis.

Newington Credit Union

Newington Credit Union – is a not-for-profit, member owned organisation established by local people in 1967 within the Newington Area of North Belfast following an identified need to provide local people with opportunities to have access to financial services to improve their quality of life and living standards. Belfast Charitable Society is supporting the cost of a part time Marketing Officer for three years so the organisation can develop a marketing/digital strategy; increase adult and juvenile membership; promote products and services of the Credit Union; and increase work in local schools and the Ulster University in order to promote and educate children/young people/students of the benefits of saving and borrowing safely to meet their financial and future needs.

Lower Oldpark Community Association

Lower Oldpark Community Association (LOCA) run a Community Centre in Lower Old Park, a deprived interface area of North Belfast. Within this site, they organise a range of educational and recreational activities for the benefit of the local community including educational classes, a play group, an over 50s friendship club, community fun days and events, and a summer schemes for local children and young people. Belfast Charitable Society currently contribute towards total salary costs of a Housing and Regeneration Worker for LOCA. The Housing and Regeneration Worker promotes and supports physical regeneration in the Lower Oldpark neighbourhood and helps residents address housing and local environment problems.

North Belfast Heritage Cluster & Re-Creating a Great Place North Belfast

North Belfast Heritage Cluster is a network of local organisations that want to use their assets to catalyse regeneration in one of the most disadvantaged areas of NI, while ensuring the sustainability of members and building. The Society funds a small percentage of the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s project, Re-Creating a Great Place North Belfast.

Re-Creating a Great Place North Belfast project helps to raise awareness of historic buildings and sites stretching for one mile along Donegall Street, Clifton Street, the Crumlin Road and part of the Antrim Road. Find out more visit https://greatplacenorthbelfast.com/