North Belfast MMEW - 2024

Voting has concluded

North Belfast PB Results

We are pleased to announce the results of our second Move More Eat Well PB voting process.

Between 5 - 12 February 2024, people across the city were given the opportunity to vote online for the projects they wanted to see happen in their area. In north Belfast, over 1,440 people cast their vote!

Thank you to everyone who voted.

The projects that received the most votes and will be funded are:

Cliftonville Community Centre - Are You Well?
Cliftonville Community Centre women's Group - Walk & Talk & Chill/Spill
Cruestodians FC -Mens Mental Health Through Fitness
Duncairn & Belfast Castle Céilí Dancers - Set Dancing For All
Duncairn Centre Céilí Dancers - Care & Nursing Home Ceili Dancing Sessions
Patrick Pearse's GAA Club - Introduction to Gaelic (Age 4 to 16)
Reach Out Healthy Living Centre - More More Eat Well North Belfast Families
Shankill Junior Football Club - Community Mini-Soccer for All
St Malachys Old Boys Youth Football Club - Wee Macs investing in volunteer coaches to deliver lifelong participation in sport and exercise
St Malachys Old Boys Youth Football Club - Wee Macs strengthening, conditioning and nutrition programme
St Mary's on the Hill - Hurling Heights: Empowering and Encouraging Youth through Gaelic Games
Star Neighbourhood Centre - Young Women's Fitness
UU Athletics - UU Couch to 5k

More details about each of these projects is provided below.

You can read about all the projects in north Belfast that were hoping to win your vote here. Even if your favourite project was not funded, you can still reach out to the group to see if you can get involved in another way.

North Belfast - Funded Projects

Group	Cliftonville Community Centre
Project	Are you well?
About the project	The project will provide 20-week project to 10 centre users who have approached me as centre manager and requested healthy living project. The participants will avail of a boxersize class once weekly for 10 weeks by a qualified PT coach for one hour. The next 10 weeks will be facilitated by a cook who will demonstrate making healthy meals on a budget by using an air fryer, which the participants will then be able to take home to continue their healthy lifestyles. Each cooking session will last for one hour per week. This project “Are you well“ will benefit the centre users participating by promoting the importance of leading healthy lifestyles through exercise and nutritious meals. Cooking on a budget will be discussed each week to the participants and knowledge on how to purchase healthier options when purchasing food/refreshments that are good for the whole family.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	This project will promote individuals to feel better by themselves, physically, mentally and socially and they will gain knowledge on how paramount, having a healthy lifestyle is, so that change can be made.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Cliftonville Community Centre - Women's Group
Project	Walk & Talk & Chill/Spill
About the project	The woman’s group would like to demonstrate being more healthy and have healthier lifestyles. Some of the group need to use mobility aids due to illness health so therefore we felt it would be a good idea to start walking as a group. We would like to walk around places in Belfast beyond that is not easily accessible to us such as Lady Dixon Park. Walk and talk consists of going to various locations for six weeks and the funding would be used for transport costs: Lady Dixon Park Cave Hill/Belfast Castle Grounds Bangor market St George’s market Antrim Castle Gardens Hillsborough Castle We would also like to avail of cookery lessons where we could cook in the centre – lunch dishes, and then we eat together in a healthy way instead of always rushing.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Being together as a group to go on nice walks around the city will help us promote our physical, mental health as well as being socially included regardless of our abilities/disabilities.
Amount	£2,200

Group	Cruestodians FC
Project	Men's Mental Health Through Fitness
About the project	Cruestodians football club plans to run a project aimed primarily in the north Belfast area. This project would be aimed at our members or those who would be interested in joining the club, however, it would be open to all comers from the 4 Belfast areas. Cruestodians was formed 2022 by a group of parents whose children played youth football at Crusaders. Club Mantra is a return to football or introduction no matter what age or level of ability. To help improve or maintain the mental health of all its playing or non-playing members. MOVE MORE - Funded or subsidized gym membership for club members with24/7 access to the facility. PT available for assistance. Personal fitness plans created to suit all levels of fitness and or ability. Progress tracking for all taking part. EAT WELL - Nutritionist contacted to support. Meal plans completed by dietitian to suit any individuals taking part in the project. Meal demonstration to show all those taking part in the project easy ways to maintain and create healthy meals. PROMOTION OF PROJECT - Advertisement through our social media platform and flyers/posters in members workplaces and our meeting venue
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Mental health among men is becoming more apparent in recent times. It’s well known that exercise/fitness are a catalyst for better mental health so it’s a promotion of this. Eating well goes in partnership with successful training and fitness program and gaining results. If we can help those taking part to improve in their exercise and eating habits, it would benefit all participants.
Amount	£2,000

Group	Duncairn & Belfast Castle Céilí Dancers
Project	Set Dancing For All
About the project	Céilí Dancing & Set Dancing has proved increasingly popular in recent years though the numbers participating declined following the covid pandemic. We hope to invigorate the céilí dancing scene across north Belfast by hosting 1 free 90-minute weekly class a month for 5 months with live musicians in the fabulous Duncairn Cultural Centre. Set dancing & Céilí dancing is a wonderfully aerobic and sociable activity and will have wanting more at the end of an evening. All the ceili dances I propose teaching will involve dancers moving individually and as part of a couple and will also require lots of interaction with other dancers in the set. All the dances have different levels of technical ability and there are always dances for newcomers, people with slight mobility issues, older people as well as those experienced dancers who have been dancing for many many years. Detailed instruction will be provided and by using experienced musicians we will tailor the dances and of course the music to those attending.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Set & Céilí dancing will improve the fitness levels of anyone taking part as it’s a wonderfully aerobic activity. Additionally the requirement to listen to instruction and coordinate movements to specific musical genres significantly improves mental wellbeing also. As set dancing is so sociable, isn’t unique to any one section of our community, can be done & enjoyed by anybody new friendships will undoubtedly be forged during the classes. Anyone attending will not only see how many people of similar age groups enjoy set dancing but will also get to experience great craic on their doorstep in the iconic location that is the Duncairn Cultural Centre.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Duncairn Centre Céilí Dancers
Project	Care & Nursing Home Ceili Dancing Sessions
About the project	8 experienced ceili dancers & step dancers will visit 4 different Nursing or Care homes to have a mini céilí lasting approximately 1 hour with the residents. The dancers will demonstrate some set dances & ceili dances and then get as many of the residents or their relatives or indeed the carers as possible up to dance along with one of the group. We will also demonstrate some solo step dances also. The dances will be very basic & simple but at the same time anyone taking part they will be moving themselves around the dance floor. For those who cannot get up to dance we will have some simple ‘Clap & Foot dances’ allowing them to remain in their chairs but able to move their hands & feet. We will be using recorded music throughout, though we will have guest musicians on occasion.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Listening to music and moving in synchronisation with the music is not only great exercise but provides a great sense of wellbeing. Simply put it is great exercise Following dancing instructions also stimulates the brain a lot also. Additionally the requirement to listen to instruction and coordinate movements to specific musical genres significantly improves mental well being also. Having a céilí tailored for the residents demonstrably shows that the residents are still an integral part of the community where they lived their lives prior to entering the care home.
Amount	£2,080

Group	Patrick Pearse's GAA Club
Project	Introduction to Gaelic (Age 4 to 16)
About the project	This project is aimed at children & young people who have little to no experience with sport and wish to learn the fundamentals of Gaelic football. The aim of the project would be to build the numbers within our existing juvenile teams and encourage local children to take up a new sport. The project will run over a 4-week period with the aim of integrating participants into existing juvenile structures within the club. We will use a player centred approach to develop the basic skills of each child and hope to place emphasis on their long-term development in Gaelic games. Each age group will look at simple skills from agility, balance and co-ordination and progress to the specific fundamental skills of Gaelic football. Coaches will aim to establish participants’ understanding of simple rules while embedding good ethics and sportsmanship within the game. With this project, we hope to nurture developmental skills of players to create a pathway for future technical development of their athletic ability while building sustainability within our club. As a club we strive to develop communication skills, build confidence, and create long lasting friendships for all participants.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	This project will embrace the influential years of young players in the local community and offer the opportunity to develop confidence, self-worth and resilience through sports. Individuals and local neighbourhoods will benefit as the project encourages players to incorporate healthy habits into their lives while providing a sense of purpose and belonging within their club and community.
Amount	£2,499.97

Group	Reach Out Healthy Living Centre
Project	More More Eat Well North Belfast Families
About the project	Reach Out HLC received the first pot off funding from MMEW, with this funding, we focus on the health and fitness of our mum's, but a fantastic, unexpected outcome from this funding was that the children off the mums that took part in Move More Eat Well mum's benefited from the programme. The children off the mum's started attended junior gym at challenge training studio's. As well as link's with our Belfast Outcomes Area Group afternoon's programme (small group off 12 young people aged 4-11 years with additional and mild complex needs). CTS provided movement sessions for the children and half term trip was organised to the gym for the children. The mums and children had a fabulous experience with the first round off MMEW funding. Therefore, we'd like to apply for funding to build upon all of our experiences and include the whole family in this round off funding.To help all members off the family to 'move more and eat well to feel better', the programme would include: Challenge Training Studio Family Membership (June & July) - 8 families Mini Medics Family Training with Challenge Training Studio - 8 families Summer Family Cook Along with Reach Out HLC - 8 families Family walk and photography workshops with The Duncairn Art and Cultural Centre - 8 families
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	All programmes would be facilitated in July and August 2024 - due cost of living, families in North Belfast will be snuggling to pay for cost for activities during the summer months. A total 32 families will benefit from the funding (average 5 members per family NB). Total 160 participants benefit from Move More Eat Well North Belfast Families.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Shankill Junior Football Club
Project	Community Mini-Soccer for All
About the project	The main aim of our organisation is to promote sport participation for young people through our club by creating a culture of safety and fun. We also aim to develop young people’s skills in football, their mental and emotional well-being, and their physical health so that we can do our part to create a better future for our youth and the wider community. To help achieve this aim, we are applying for funding to ensure our mini-soccer programme can take place over the requested months, ensuring young people can get the best start to their lives and take part in fun and engaging activities which will help shape their future and provide opportunities to an area that is severely deprived. The project will ensure over 100 young people will 'move more' and will provide activity for 48 hours in total. Our project will include team building activities, football activities and other fun and engaging games to ensure that young people are getting the best out of the sessions. The project will ensure that our youth 'move more' improving community physical health, whilst also gaining side benefits of social and mental wellbeing at a young age. Hope4LifeNI statistics reveal that more than 20% of young people are suffering “significant mental health problems” by their 18th birthday. It is also known that Belfast itself has a mental health/wellbeing problem. We believe that in order to reduce this problem in future generations, then our youth must be provided with opportunities such as the proposed, which will improve both physical health and mental wellbeing, creating a better future for all within our outreach in the Belfast City Council area. Nisra statistics show that the young people who will benefit from this project live in some of the most deprived across the Council area, and Northern Ireland as a whole. Our project will take place in Shankill, and the majority of beneficiaries will be from this area. Therefore, we aim to avail of funding to ensure that we can run the proposed programme free of cost to participants and families, ensuring income deprivation metrics do not impact young people's opportunities. This project will ensure some of the most deprived families in Belfast benefit, whilst also ensuring young people reach their daily recommended physical exercise throughout the 12- week period.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Our project will positively impact the council area by bringing young people together under a football programme which will support community connectivity. All young people are welcomed to take part in our project regardless of gender or background. Our previous programmes have had a great response from young girls who are an underrepresented group and we anticipate this project will have the same impact on young girls in the council area. Our programme also supports improving health and wellbeing for the participants. We will improve participant health and wellbeing through physical activity sessions in the form of fun and engaging football sessions. We are providing a local project which will provide increased activity to support the health and wellbeing of young people in the local area, providing a safe space for young people to meet the daily recommended physical activity guidelines, thus improving physical and mental health through increased self-confidence and motivation. Our project will shape the future generation of Belfast, ensuring that they are provided with the best opportunities free-of-charge.
Amount	£2,500

Group	St Malachy's Old Boys Youth Football Club
Project	Wee Macs - strengthening, conditioning and nutrition programme
About the project	St Malachys OB Youth Football Club provide safe and fun football coaching to over 550 girls and boys aged 4 to 15 across North Belfast to develop and grow them at the most crucial stage of their life. Our club and coaches are accredited by the Irish Football Association and Belfast City Council. We work with local children to enable them to learn essential football techniques, build their confidence, improve their fitness, and provide the most important ingredient of all, FUN! This project will provide a 6-week strengthening, conditioning and nutrition programme to support 120 of our young players aged 9 to 15. Strength and Conditioning training involve a wide range of exercises developed to build a variety of skills with a focus on mind, mobility, stability, strength, endurance, power, speed, agility and performance. The project will improve strength and endurance, and as a result, will reduce the incidence and severity of sport injuries, and improve technique and overall performance. This training will strengthen supporting muscles, even out muscle imbalances, increase mobility, correct posture, stabilize joints, learn new movement patterns and enhance coordination and peripheral skills. The course provides a nutrition seminar educating the young athletes on the importance of nutrition for sports performances.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	This project will benefit our local community as 120 girls and boys from North Belfast will have lower abdominal fat, better cardiovascular health, controlled blood sugar levels, reduced cancer risk, lowered injury risks, strengthened mental health, improved flexibility and mobility, elevated body image, and greater knowledge about strengthening, conditioning, and nutrition of their body. We call on the good people of Belfast to vote for our project and support the health and fitness of your local young people. In a world of increasing poor health and obesity combined with spiralling sports and fitness costs this is your opportunity to help your local young people improve their health and fitness. Please vote for us. Support your local young people to move more and eat well.
Amount	£2,500

Group	St Malachy's Old Boys Youth Football Club
Project	Wee Macs investing in volunteer coaches to deliver lifelong participation in sport and exercise
About the project	St Malachys OB Youth Football Club provide safe and fun football coaching to over 550 girls and boys aged 4 to 15 across North Belfast to develop and grow them at the most crucial stage of their life. Our club and coaches are accredited by the Irish Football Association and Belfast City Council. We work with local children to enable them to learn essential football techniques, build their confidence, improve their fitness, and provide the most important ingredient of all, FUN! This project will provide first aid training to 36 volunteer coaches across our club. Our young players face physical risks during their training and matches. It is essential volunteer coaches can react to a first aid emergency quickly and safely. Equally as important is that our activities cannot take place without volunteer coaches that are appropriately trained in first aid. This cannot be stressed enough. Safe sports coaching can only take place with appropriately trained volunteer coaches. Because of our safe and fun football coaching our young people are supported to have: Greater Mental, Emotional, and Social Health with: lower rates of stress, anxiety and depression; higher self-esteem and confidence; improved well-being; and increased life satisfaction. Improved Physical Health with: improved weight status; reduced risk of cancer and diabetes; increased physical activity levels; improved fitness; and increased overall quality of life. Improved Educational and Career Success with: improved teamwork, social skills, and social responsibility; improved life skills; improved educational and work skills; higher levels of academic achievement; and greater leadership qualities. Lifelong participation in sports. Adolescents who play sports are 8 times more likely to be physically active into adulthood than those who do not play sports. 8 times more!
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	This project will benefit our local community as the coaching that we provide to over 550 girls and boys from North Belfast, 44 weeks a year, is only possible when our volunteer coaches are appropriately trained and resourced. The benefits of moving more cannot happen with investment in community volunteers. We call on the good people of Belfast to vote for our project and support your local volunteers. Our volunteers give up so much of their time and skills to support the young people in your local community. They support your young people 44 weeks a year, through wind, rain, ice, and snow. Please lend your support to ensure they have the necessary training to coach your young people. Your local sports club cannot exist without appropriately trained volunteers. Please vote for us. Support your local volunteers.
Amount	£2,500

Group	St Mary's on the Hill
Project	Hurling Heights: Empowering and Encouraging Youth through Gaelic Games
About the project	In recent years, our Gaelic Games, particularly hurling, have seen a significant decline in participation. At our school we aim to inspire children to embrace physical activity, especially hurling. The funding from this project will enable our school to acquire essential equipment and provide training for both students and staff, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, motivating hurling lessons. Despite the recent introduction of a 'Ball Wall,' insufficient equipment hinders full utilisation of the facility which can be used during break and lunch. With the necessary resources and training, we believe this facility can become a hub for active engagement, motivating and encouraging our children to join the local clubs like Naomh Éanna. It will encourage participation in after school clubs with the potential to transfer these skills to a range of sports and provide opportunities to connect with other schools and clubs in the wider community. Unfortunately, with today’s current financial climate, a lot of families are unable to purchase the equipment for hurling and therefore children are missing out on opportunities that could make a huge difference in all aspects of their lives. This initiative would not only benefit our school and children but will also contribute to a more active and connected local community. It will improve the physical and mental health of children in our school, shaping them into the successful future adults of our community. Hurling embraces our culture and encourages life-long participation as well as providing safe and inclusive facilities and environments for our children. Hurling instils unique skills and qualities in our children, fostering positive, active, and responsible role models within our community and society- a distinct impact unmatched by any other sport. The support from this project will aid in cultivating social connections, fostering collaborative community efforts, and mitigating social tensions within our community. A successful outcome for this project would offer our children not only a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing, but a feeling of belonging, a support network and instil a sense of achievement and pride in their community and Irish heritage.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Gaelic football and hurling are two of the most popular sports in Belfast. With the support of this programme children of Belfast will develop their fitness, improve their health and wellbeing and develop a range of skills to support them not only in Gaelic Games but in other sports. It will provide children, who may not have the opportunity otherwise, to play for local clubs and even to go on to play for their county. This will have a positive impact on the children’s lives as well as our community.
Amount	£2,380

Group	Star Neighbourhood Centre
Project	Young Women's Fitness
About the project	The project will bring together a group of 8 young women age 18+ to take part in twelve weeks of bootcamp style workout classes in their local community. They will take part in 2 workouts a week completing a total of 24 workouts. Last year we did this project with a group of younger girls, they took part in boxing lessons with a local club. During this time some of our volunteers joined in to help. They then decided that they felt this project would be something they would like to do for older girls. The group felt that a large barrier to women staying healthy and working out is gym anxiety. They felt they wouldn’t feel comfortable going to a gym alone and the rare occasion that they did it was usually due to paying a female personal trainer for company. This was not a cost effect option for many women, and they then eventually stopped going to the gym all together. By providing these classes we are providing a cheaper alternative to the gym, building fitness levels and confidence, as well as connecting like-minded people. The main benefit to providing these classes is that we will be helping to build gym and exercise confidence in young women and improve overall health.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	8 young women complete the programme and develop healthy lifestyles 12 weeks of free workout classes provided for young women in the community 8 young women gaining workout and body confidence
Amount	£2,400

Group	UU Athletics
Project	UU Couch to 5k
About the project	Couch to 5k is a well-established programme which aims to transform your sedentary lifestyle into active one where you can complete a 5k run at the end. Over the 12-week programme, Belfast residents will meet at Ulster University Belfast to complete weekly Couch to 5K sessions. Sessions will progress from a combination of walking and jogging to a 5k run. All sessions will begin in one of the Ulster University Sport's active spaces to warm up and then utilise a range of running routes through the Titanic Quarter, the Maritime mile and the City Centre. Sessions will be led by Athletics NI running group leaders. The leader will set a pace which is manageable for all to complete the session. At the end of the 12 weeks all participants will be invited to complete a Saturday morning Parkrun 5k at a local event. This will provide all individuals with a goal to work towards. Through the programme participants will gain motivation to attend the sessions, see an improvement in mental & physical wellbeing, all whilst participating alongside a group of other individuals working towards the same goal.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Overall, the Couch to 5k programme will provide significant mental & physical benefits to participants, potential for lifelong participation in physical activity and social benefits through mixing with the other participants.
Amount	£1,750

North Belfast PB Results

We are pleased to announce the results of our second Move More Eat Well PB voting process.

Thank you to everyone who voted.

The projects that received the most votes and will be funded are:

Cliftonville Community Centre - Are You Well?
Cliftonville Community Centre women's Group - Walk & Talk & Chill/Spill
Cruestodians FC -Mens Mental Health Through Fitness
Duncairn & Belfast Castle Céilí Dancers - Set Dancing For All
Duncairn Centre Céilí Dancers - Care & Nursing Home Ceili Dancing Sessions
Patrick Pearse's GAA Club - Introduction to Gaelic (Age 4 to 16)
Reach Out Healthy Living Centre - More More Eat Well North Belfast Families
Shankill Junior Football Club - Community Mini-Soccer for All
St Malachys Old Boys Youth Football Club - Wee Macs investing in volunteer coaches to deliver lifelong participation in sport and exercise
St Malachys Old Boys Youth Football Club - Wee Macs strengthening, conditioning and nutrition programme
St Mary's on the Hill - Hurling Heights: Empowering and Encouraging Youth through Gaelic Games
Star Neighbourhood Centre - Young Women's Fitness
UU Athletics - UU Couch to 5k

More details about each of these projects is provided below.

You can read about all the projects in north Belfast that were hoping to win your vote here. Even if your favourite project was not funded, you can still reach out to the group to see if you can get involved in another way.

North Belfast - Funded Projects

Group	Cliftonville Community Centre
Project	Are you well?
About the project	The project will provide 20-week project to 10 centre users who have approached me as centre manager and requested healthy living project. The participants will avail of a boxersize class once weekly for 10 weeks by a qualified PT coach for one hour. The next 10 weeks will be facilitated by a cook who will demonstrate making healthy meals on a budget by using an air fryer, which the participants will then be able to take home to continue their healthy lifestyles. Each cooking session will last for one hour per week. This project “Are you well“ will benefit the centre users participating by promoting the importance of leading healthy lifestyles through exercise and nutritious meals. Cooking on a budget will be discussed each week to the participants and knowledge on how to purchase healthier options when purchasing food/refreshments that are good for the whole family.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	This project will promote individuals to feel better by themselves, physically, mentally and socially and they will gain knowledge on how paramount, having a healthy lifestyle is, so that change can be made.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Cliftonville Community Centre - Women's Group
Project	Walk & Talk & Chill/Spill
About the project	The woman’s group would like to demonstrate being more healthy and have healthier lifestyles. Some of the group need to use mobility aids due to illness health so therefore we felt it would be a good idea to start walking as a group. We would like to walk around places in Belfast beyond that is not easily accessible to us such as Lady Dixon Park. Walk and talk consists of going to various locations for six weeks and the funding would be used for transport costs: Lady Dixon Park Cave Hill/Belfast Castle Grounds Bangor market St George’s market Antrim Castle Gardens Hillsborough Castle We would also like to avail of cookery lessons where we could cook in the centre – lunch dishes, and then we eat together in a healthy way instead of always rushing.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Being together as a group to go on nice walks around the city will help us promote our physical, mental health as well as being socially included regardless of our abilities/disabilities.
Amount	£2,200

Group	Cruestodians FC
Project	Men's Mental Health Through Fitness
About the project	Cruestodians football club plans to run a project aimed primarily in the north Belfast area. This project would be aimed at our members or those who would be interested in joining the club, however, it would be open to all comers from the 4 Belfast areas. Cruestodians was formed 2022 by a group of parents whose children played youth football at Crusaders. Club Mantra is a return to football or introduction no matter what age or level of ability. To help improve or maintain the mental health of all its playing or non-playing members. MOVE MORE - Funded or subsidized gym membership for club members with24/7 access to the facility. PT available for assistance. Personal fitness plans created to suit all levels of fitness and or ability. Progress tracking for all taking part. EAT WELL - Nutritionist contacted to support. Meal plans completed by dietitian to suit any individuals taking part in the project. Meal demonstration to show all those taking part in the project easy ways to maintain and create healthy meals. PROMOTION OF PROJECT - Advertisement through our social media platform and flyers/posters in members workplaces and our meeting venue
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Mental health among men is becoming more apparent in recent times. It’s well known that exercise/fitness are a catalyst for better mental health so it’s a promotion of this. Eating well goes in partnership with successful training and fitness program and gaining results. If we can help those taking part to improve in their exercise and eating habits, it would benefit all participants.
Amount	£2,000

Group	Duncairn & Belfast Castle Céilí Dancers
Project	Set Dancing For All
About the project	Céilí Dancing & Set Dancing has proved increasingly popular in recent years though the numbers participating declined following the covid pandemic. We hope to invigorate the céilí dancing scene across north Belfast by hosting 1 free 90-minute weekly class a month for 5 months with live musicians in the fabulous Duncairn Cultural Centre. Set dancing & Céilí dancing is a wonderfully aerobic and sociable activity and will have wanting more at the end of an evening. All the ceili dances I propose teaching will involve dancers moving individually and as part of a couple and will also require lots of interaction with other dancers in the set. All the dances have different levels of technical ability and there are always dances for newcomers, people with slight mobility issues, older people as well as those experienced dancers who have been dancing for many many years. Detailed instruction will be provided and by using experienced musicians we will tailor the dances and of course the music to those attending.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Set & Céilí dancing will improve the fitness levels of anyone taking part as it’s a wonderfully aerobic activity. Additionally the requirement to listen to instruction and coordinate movements to specific musical genres significantly improves mental wellbeing also. As set dancing is so sociable, isn’t unique to any one section of our community, can be done & enjoyed by anybody new friendships will undoubtedly be forged during the classes. Anyone attending will not only see how many people of similar age groups enjoy set dancing but will also get to experience great craic on their doorstep in the iconic location that is the Duncairn Cultural Centre.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Duncairn Centre Céilí Dancers
Project	Care & Nursing Home Ceili Dancing Sessions
About the project	8 experienced ceili dancers & step dancers will visit 4 different Nursing or Care homes to have a mini céilí lasting approximately 1 hour with the residents. The dancers will demonstrate some set dances & ceili dances and then get as many of the residents or their relatives or indeed the carers as possible up to dance along with one of the group. We will also demonstrate some solo step dances also. The dances will be very basic & simple but at the same time anyone taking part they will be moving themselves around the dance floor. For those who cannot get up to dance we will have some simple ‘Clap & Foot dances’ allowing them to remain in their chairs but able to move their hands & feet. We will be using recorded music throughout, though we will have guest musicians on occasion.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Listening to music and moving in synchronisation with the music is not only great exercise but provides a great sense of wellbeing. Simply put it is great exercise Following dancing instructions also stimulates the brain a lot also. Additionally the requirement to listen to instruction and coordinate movements to specific musical genres significantly improves mental well being also. Having a céilí tailored for the residents demonstrably shows that the residents are still an integral part of the community where they lived their lives prior to entering the care home.
Amount	£2,080

Group	Patrick Pearse's GAA Club
Project	Introduction to Gaelic (Age 4 to 16)
About the project	This project is aimed at children & young people who have little to no experience with sport and wish to learn the fundamentals of Gaelic football. The aim of the project would be to build the numbers within our existing juvenile teams and encourage local children to take up a new sport. The project will run over a 4-week period with the aim of integrating participants into existing juvenile structures within the club. We will use a player centred approach to develop the basic skills of each child and hope to place emphasis on their long-term development in Gaelic games. Each age group will look at simple skills from agility, balance and co-ordination and progress to the specific fundamental skills of Gaelic football. Coaches will aim to establish participants’ understanding of simple rules while embedding good ethics and sportsmanship within the game. With this project, we hope to nurture developmental skills of players to create a pathway for future technical development of their athletic ability while building sustainability within our club. As a club we strive to develop communication skills, build confidence, and create long lasting friendships for all participants.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	This project will embrace the influential years of young players in the local community and offer the opportunity to develop confidence, self-worth and resilience through sports. Individuals and local neighbourhoods will benefit as the project encourages players to incorporate healthy habits into their lives while providing a sense of purpose and belonging within their club and community.
Amount	£2,499.97

Group	Reach Out Healthy Living Centre
Project	More More Eat Well North Belfast Families
About the project	Reach Out HLC received the first pot off funding from MMEW, with this funding, we focus on the health and fitness of our mum's, but a fantastic, unexpected outcome from this funding was that the children off the mums that took part in Move More Eat Well mum's benefited from the programme. The children off the mum's started attended junior gym at challenge training studio's. As well as link's with our Belfast Outcomes Area Group afternoon's programme (small group off 12 young people aged 4-11 years with additional and mild complex needs). CTS provided movement sessions for the children and half term trip was organised to the gym for the children. The mums and children had a fabulous experience with the first round off MMEW funding. Therefore, we'd like to apply for funding to build upon all of our experiences and include the whole family in this round off funding.To help all members off the family to 'move more and eat well to feel better', the programme would include: Challenge Training Studio Family Membership (June & July) - 8 families Mini Medics Family Training with Challenge Training Studio - 8 families Summer Family Cook Along with Reach Out HLC - 8 families Family walk and photography workshops with The Duncairn Art and Cultural Centre - 8 families
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	All programmes would be facilitated in July and August 2024 - due cost of living, families in North Belfast will be snuggling to pay for cost for activities during the summer months. A total 32 families will benefit from the funding (average 5 members per family NB). Total 160 participants benefit from Move More Eat Well North Belfast Families.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Shankill Junior Football Club
Project	Community Mini-Soccer for All
About the project	The main aim of our organisation is to promote sport participation for young people through our club by creating a culture of safety and fun. We also aim to develop young people’s skills in football, their mental and emotional well-being, and their physical health so that we can do our part to create a better future for our youth and the wider community. To help achieve this aim, we are applying for funding to ensure our mini-soccer programme can take place over the requested months, ensuring young people can get the best start to their lives and take part in fun and engaging activities which will help shape their future and provide opportunities to an area that is severely deprived. The project will ensure over 100 young people will 'move more' and will provide activity for 48 hours in total. Our project will include team building activities, football activities and other fun and engaging games to ensure that young people are getting the best out of the sessions. The project will ensure that our youth 'move more' improving community physical health, whilst also gaining side benefits of social and mental wellbeing at a young age. Hope4LifeNI statistics reveal that more than 20% of young people are suffering “significant mental health problems” by their 18th birthday. It is also known that Belfast itself has a mental health/wellbeing problem. We believe that in order to reduce this problem in future generations, then our youth must be provided with opportunities such as the proposed, which will improve both physical health and mental wellbeing, creating a better future for all within our outreach in the Belfast City Council area. Nisra statistics show that the young people who will benefit from this project live in some of the most deprived across the Council area, and Northern Ireland as a whole. Our project will take place in Shankill, and the majority of beneficiaries will be from this area. Therefore, we aim to avail of funding to ensure that we can run the proposed programme free of cost to participants and families, ensuring income deprivation metrics do not impact young people's opportunities. This project will ensure some of the most deprived families in Belfast benefit, whilst also ensuring young people reach their daily recommended physical exercise throughout the 12- week period.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Our project will positively impact the council area by bringing young people together under a football programme which will support community connectivity. All young people are welcomed to take part in our project regardless of gender or background. Our previous programmes have had a great response from young girls who are an underrepresented group and we anticipate this project will have the same impact on young girls in the council area. Our programme also supports improving health and wellbeing for the participants. We will improve participant health and wellbeing through physical activity sessions in the form of fun and engaging football sessions. We are providing a local project which will provide increased activity to support the health and wellbeing of young people in the local area, providing a safe space for young people to meet the daily recommended physical activity guidelines, thus improving physical and mental health through increased self-confidence and motivation. Our project will shape the future generation of Belfast, ensuring that they are provided with the best opportunities free-of-charge.
Amount	£2,500

Group	St Malachy's Old Boys Youth Football Club
Project	Wee Macs - strengthening, conditioning and nutrition programme
About the project	St Malachys OB Youth Football Club provide safe and fun football coaching to over 550 girls and boys aged 4 to 15 across North Belfast to develop and grow them at the most crucial stage of their life. Our club and coaches are accredited by the Irish Football Association and Belfast City Council. We work with local children to enable them to learn essential football techniques, build their confidence, improve their fitness, and provide the most important ingredient of all, FUN! This project will provide a 6-week strengthening, conditioning and nutrition programme to support 120 of our young players aged 9 to 15. Strength and Conditioning training involve a wide range of exercises developed to build a variety of skills with a focus on mind, mobility, stability, strength, endurance, power, speed, agility and performance. The project will improve strength and endurance, and as a result, will reduce the incidence and severity of sport injuries, and improve technique and overall performance. This training will strengthen supporting muscles, even out muscle imbalances, increase mobility, correct posture, stabilize joints, learn new movement patterns and enhance coordination and peripheral skills. The course provides a nutrition seminar educating the young athletes on the importance of nutrition for sports performances.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	This project will benefit our local community as 120 girls and boys from North Belfast will have lower abdominal fat, better cardiovascular health, controlled blood sugar levels, reduced cancer risk, lowered injury risks, strengthened mental health, improved flexibility and mobility, elevated body image, and greater knowledge about strengthening, conditioning, and nutrition of their body. We call on the good people of Belfast to vote for our project and support the health and fitness of your local young people. In a world of increasing poor health and obesity combined with spiralling sports and fitness costs this is your opportunity to help your local young people improve their health and fitness. Please vote for us. Support your local young people to move more and eat well.
Amount	£2,500

Group	St Malachy's Old Boys Youth Football Club
Project	Wee Macs investing in volunteer coaches to deliver lifelong participation in sport and exercise
About the project	St Malachys OB Youth Football Club provide safe and fun football coaching to over 550 girls and boys aged 4 to 15 across North Belfast to develop and grow them at the most crucial stage of their life. Our club and coaches are accredited by the Irish Football Association and Belfast City Council. We work with local children to enable them to learn essential football techniques, build their confidence, improve their fitness, and provide the most important ingredient of all, FUN! This project will provide first aid training to 36 volunteer coaches across our club. Our young players face physical risks during their training and matches. It is essential volunteer coaches can react to a first aid emergency quickly and safely. Equally as important is that our activities cannot take place without volunteer coaches that are appropriately trained in first aid. This cannot be stressed enough. Safe sports coaching can only take place with appropriately trained volunteer coaches. Because of our safe and fun football coaching our young people are supported to have: Greater Mental, Emotional, and Social Health with: lower rates of stress, anxiety and depression; higher self-esteem and confidence; improved well-being; and increased life satisfaction. Improved Physical Health with: improved weight status; reduced risk of cancer and diabetes; increased physical activity levels; improved fitness; and increased overall quality of life. Improved Educational and Career Success with: improved teamwork, social skills, and social responsibility; improved life skills; improved educational and work skills; higher levels of academic achievement; and greater leadership qualities. Lifelong participation in sports. Adolescents who play sports are 8 times more likely to be physically active into adulthood than those who do not play sports. 8 times more!
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	This project will benefit our local community as the coaching that we provide to over 550 girls and boys from North Belfast, 44 weeks a year, is only possible when our volunteer coaches are appropriately trained and resourced. The benefits of moving more cannot happen with investment in community volunteers. We call on the good people of Belfast to vote for our project and support your local volunteers. Our volunteers give up so much of their time and skills to support the young people in your local community. They support your young people 44 weeks a year, through wind, rain, ice, and snow. Please lend your support to ensure they have the necessary training to coach your young people. Your local sports club cannot exist without appropriately trained volunteers. Please vote for us. Support your local volunteers.
Amount	£2,500

Group	St Mary's on the Hill
Project	Hurling Heights: Empowering and Encouraging Youth through Gaelic Games
About the project	In recent years, our Gaelic Games, particularly hurling, have seen a significant decline in participation. At our school we aim to inspire children to embrace physical activity, especially hurling. The funding from this project will enable our school to acquire essential equipment and provide training for both students and staff, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, motivating hurling lessons. Despite the recent introduction of a 'Ball Wall,' insufficient equipment hinders full utilisation of the facility which can be used during break and lunch. With the necessary resources and training, we believe this facility can become a hub for active engagement, motivating and encouraging our children to join the local clubs like Naomh Éanna. It will encourage participation in after school clubs with the potential to transfer these skills to a range of sports and provide opportunities to connect with other schools and clubs in the wider community. Unfortunately, with today’s current financial climate, a lot of families are unable to purchase the equipment for hurling and therefore children are missing out on opportunities that could make a huge difference in all aspects of their lives. This initiative would not only benefit our school and children but will also contribute to a more active and connected local community. It will improve the physical and mental health of children in our school, shaping them into the successful future adults of our community. Hurling embraces our culture and encourages life-long participation as well as providing safe and inclusive facilities and environments for our children. Hurling instils unique skills and qualities in our children, fostering positive, active, and responsible role models within our community and society- a distinct impact unmatched by any other sport. The support from this project will aid in cultivating social connections, fostering collaborative community efforts, and mitigating social tensions within our community. A successful outcome for this project would offer our children not only a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing, but a feeling of belonging, a support network and instil a sense of achievement and pride in their community and Irish heritage.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Gaelic football and hurling are two of the most popular sports in Belfast. With the support of this programme children of Belfast will develop their fitness, improve their health and wellbeing and develop a range of skills to support them not only in Gaelic Games but in other sports. It will provide children, who may not have the opportunity otherwise, to play for local clubs and even to go on to play for their county. This will have a positive impact on the children’s lives as well as our community.
Amount	£2,380

Group	Star Neighbourhood Centre
Project	Young Women's Fitness
About the project	The project will bring together a group of 8 young women age 18+ to take part in twelve weeks of bootcamp style workout classes in their local community. They will take part in 2 workouts a week completing a total of 24 workouts. Last year we did this project with a group of younger girls, they took part in boxing lessons with a local club. During this time some of our volunteers joined in to help. They then decided that they felt this project would be something they would like to do for older girls. The group felt that a large barrier to women staying healthy and working out is gym anxiety. They felt they wouldn’t feel comfortable going to a gym alone and the rare occasion that they did it was usually due to paying a female personal trainer for company. This was not a cost effect option for many women, and they then eventually stopped going to the gym all together. By providing these classes we are providing a cheaper alternative to the gym, building fitness levels and confidence, as well as connecting like-minded people. The main benefit to providing these classes is that we will be helping to build gym and exercise confidence in young women and improve overall health.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	8 young women complete the programme and develop healthy lifestyles 12 weeks of free workout classes provided for young women in the community 8 young women gaining workout and body confidence
Amount	£2,400

Group	UU Athletics
Project	UU Couch to 5k
About the project	Couch to 5k is a well-established programme which aims to transform your sedentary lifestyle into active one where you can complete a 5k run at the end. Over the 12-week programme, Belfast residents will meet at Ulster University Belfast to complete weekly Couch to 5K sessions. Sessions will progress from a combination of walking and jogging to a 5k run. All sessions will begin in one of the Ulster University Sport's active spaces to warm up and then utilise a range of running routes through the Titanic Quarter, the Maritime mile and the City Centre. Sessions will be led by Athletics NI running group leaders. The leader will set a pace which is manageable for all to complete the session. At the end of the 12 weeks all participants will be invited to complete a Saturday morning Parkrun 5k at a local event. This will provide all individuals with a goal to work towards. Through the programme participants will gain motivation to attend the sessions, see an improvement in mental & physical wellbeing, all whilst participating alongside a group of other individuals working towards the same goal.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Overall, the Couch to 5k programme will provide significant mental & physical benefits to participants, potential for lifelong participation in physical activity and social benefits through mixing with the other participants.
Amount	£1,750

Our website uses cookies

Manage Cookies

North Belfast MMEW - 2024

North Belfast PB Results

You can read about all the projects in north Belfast that were hoping to win your vote here. Even if your favourite project was not funded, you can still reach out to the group to see if you can get involved in another way.

North Belfast - Funded Projects

North Belfast PB Results

You can read about all the projects in north Belfast that were hoping to win your vote here. Even if your favourite project was not funded, you can still reach out to the group to see if you can get involved in another way.

North Belfast - Funded Projects

Back to Move More, Eat Well page

Archived Projects

Project Ideas - North Belfast