South Belfast MMEW - 2024

Voting has concluded

South 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 south Belfast, 750 people cast their vote!

Thank you to everyone who voted.

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

Angaza Happy Women’s Group - Water, Zumba, and Walk Club
Empowering Wellbeing Project - Health and Wellbeing – Mindful walking and Take 5
Fitness Freddy - Fitness Freddy Health & Wellbeing
Hen Shed - Healthy Hens
iASSIST NI – Promoting Healthy Communities
Market Health Action Group - Market Development :Walking, talking, cooking & eating as a community
Northern Cricket Union - NCU Development Challenge Series
Ormeau Runners - Couch to 5k and beyond
Polish Sisterhood - Dance to Health
Réalta na Cromóige - Eating for health & fitness, moving for strength & recovery
St Michalel's Primary School - Be Creative Be Well
Step with Annette - Couch to Ceili - fun guaranteed - get moving - get dancing
WISPA (women in sport & physical activity) – Move to Improve

More details about each of these projects is provided below.

You can read about all the projects in south 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.

South Belfast - Funded Projects

Group	Angaza – Happy Women’s Group
Project	WZW Club – Water, Zumba, and Walk Club
About the project	We will be holding swimming lessons for 10-15 asylum seeker, refugee or BAME ladies for the period of 6-8 weeks. There will be Zumba lessons for 4 weeks which will be a great way for those who want to keep fit and lose weight and also a great way for the ladies to be out of the hotel and to connect and enjoy fitness in a fun way! We will also hold 2 or 3 trips to the forest parks in NI where we will do mindful walking, Take 5 steps to health and wellbeing. We hope to start this soon to target those who want to lose weight, keep fit, initiate activeness, want to learn to swim as we know that most people are underprivileged and won't afford to take swimming lessons. This will also target ladies who have mental health challenges and also physical health challenges as long as recommended by GP or physiotherapists. The project will be spread evenly between swimming and aqua-aerobics. We target antisocial which is a part of mental health challenges. We also want to encourage building relationships and targeting their confinement in the hotel and the stigma of being afraid to go out and socialise and meet other people. We also target the ladies in the society who think that religion can stop them from swimming by creating a space of safe swimming for women considering their religion and culture. We know that once the ladies learn how to swim they too will want and strive for it for their friends and children too. We want to encourage and motivate this sport in the BAME community and hope it will be a way to help them keep themselves active and emotionally happy, which will positively affect their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. This project will build a connection between people and initiate activeness in their life. It will also tackle the stigma of confinement and keeping to themselves. Gives the ladies from the hotel freedom to be out and be themselves and learn to cope and be resilient. In every session we will first have a 30mins chat about mental health/resilience, Take 5 and on health eating and nutrition.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	.It will address issues of health and wellbeing in the BAME community and will create awareness that more BAME ladies and women are taking on swimming. It is and will be addressing the stigma of health inequalities in the BAME community. It will create an active Belfast in all communities, and it also creates a space of inclusion with other communities and also creates a Belfast of motivating physical activity and wellbeing for everyone.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Empowering Wellbeing Project
Project	Health and Wellbeing – Mindful walking and Take 5
About the project	The project will focus on walking normally and also mindful walking for those who have disabilities and those who have illness and complications and can’t walk in a pace. The project is based for ladies in the BAME community, as well as asylum seekers and refugees in the community. We will be instilling Take 5 steps to health and wellbeing in all our walking sessions. We will have gifts for the ladies to encourage them to walk. In our groups we will not discriminate, and we will accommodate elderly people who still can be active. We will have support volunteers who will be trained to support vulnerable people in their walks. We will have trips to forest parks and to trails where we will have walks and have a picnic and engage with each other and connect. These walks are to benefit them with improving their mental health, physical health and emotional health. It is also a combination of kickstarting positivity and encouraging activeness in the community of BAME and to build relationships through connecting with each other and the environment of NI and in this it improves an element of mental health which is social health. The walks and trips will last 3 hours including travelling there and coming back. We are hoping for guided walks but if not, the volunteers who are trained in walk leading will help and support the ladies in any way. We will consider safeguarding policies and will get information of their health and next of kin from them. This safeguards them and give them a sense of security.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	It will encourage physical activity and will improve the life of the BAME community in Belfast. This project will also create a platform of learning about health and wellbeing and how people can maintain that by keeping fit and doing a physical activity for 30 mins a day. The project will also create a platform of bringing people together and building relationships of encouraging each other on health.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Fitness Freddy
Project	Fitness Freddy Health & Wellbeing
About the project	The Fitness Freddy Active at schools and Well Being programme is a partnership with 3 South Belfast schools, Taughmonagh Primary, Harberton Special School and Glenveagh Special School. The programme will provide physical activity sessions within the school full of fun and laughter. This project will support children from 4 years to 11 years of age in mainstream schools to achieve this target in a fun environment. The activity will focus on an interactive dance fitness raising awareness and building confidence through activity, games and talks around the 5 Steps to wellbeing. Each school will benefit from 10 tutor hours of activity spaced out over a number of weeks to accommodate the school’s schedule. A report by Stranmillis University College (2021) emphasised that both PE and daily outdoor physical activity have a central role to play in active learning and increased engagement. The guidance highlights the benefits of a minimum of two hours physical activity a week in the development of resilience and the positive impact on children’s health and wellbeing.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	This programme will make a difference by providing fun activities including dance, games and interactive talks in 3 local schools that will benefit the children's confidence, physical fitness and wellbeing. They will come home from school with a sense of achievement and improved mental wellbeing.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Hen Shed
Project	Healthy Hens
About the project	Our Women’s group was established in September 2023 in response to an invitation by the YMCA who identified the need for a local community hub in the BT9 area. Over a coffee the concept for the Hen Shed was hatched. What started as three friends is now 23 friends & growing. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of our community by fulfilling the Take 5 steps to wellbeing. Our weekly meeting involves exercise and conversation with a cuppa. We also invite guest speakers. To date we have had two speakers: Professor Kevin Curran from Ulster University (cyber security) and Mary Brady from Belfast City Council (sustainable fashion). Through connecting with Mary, Belfast City Council have provided us with free reusable period products addressing our sustainability theme. MMEW funding would enable us to grow. We plan to use the money as follows: 1. MOVE MORE Instructor led workshops - aerobic & strength/balance exercises Dance, Yoga, Pilates. Talks – Healthy Eating, Menopause, Insomnia, loneliness 2. EAT WELL Slow cooker demonstrations, eat well on a budget, using local seasonal ingredients, reducing food waste, growing our own produce in the YMCA community garden.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	The National Institute for Health & Care Excellence endorses community engagement as a health improvement strategy. As the only local women’s group our Hen Shed is reducing social isolation by connecting & empowering women, the bedrock of society. Learning new cooking skills will promote healthy eating & group exercising will positively impact physical & mental wellbeing.
Amount	£2,500

Group	iASSIST NI
Project	Promoting Healthy Communities
About the project	Health Education and Promotion: This will help develop health education programs and campaigns to raise awareness about key health issues within the community (especially various types of cancer). It will focus on preventive measures, healthy lifestyle choices, and the importance of regular health check-ups. Mental Health Support Sessions: This will address mental health issues by offering resources such as counselling services, support groups, and mental health awareness campaigns. Reducing the stigma associated with mental health is also important especially for people in the BAME community. Cultural Sensitivity: Be culturally sensitive and respectful of the diverse backgrounds and needs of the community members. Tailor health programs and materials to be culturally relevant and inclusive. Celebration and Recognition: Celebrate the achievements and milestones of the project with the community. Recognize the efforts of individuals and organizations that have contributed to the community's improved health. We are committed to promoting a healthy community in an ongoing process that requires dedication, collaboration, and adaptability. By addressing a range of health-related factors and involving the community in the process, we continue to work towards creating a healthier, happier, and more resilient community.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Improved Physical Health: Initiatives focusing on physical health, such as exercise programs, healthier food options, and public health campaigns, can lead to a reduction in chronic diseases, obesity, and other health-related issues. Enhanced Mental Well-being: Healthy community programs often include mental health support, stress reduction activities, and initiatives to combat loneliness and isolation. These can lead to improved mental health and a greater sense of well-being among residents. Increased Social Cohesion: Health-focused community events and activities provide opportunities for social interaction, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit. This increased social cohesion is vital for a vibrant and supportive community.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Market Health Action Group - Market Development association
Project	Walking, talking, cooking & eating as a community
About the project	Market Health Action Group has been meeting since January 2023 and is an action group of the Market Development Association formed out of our partnership with Queens Communities & Place. The group has been working on issues of substance use, health education, mental & physical health programs and wants to start a Market Wellbeing Kitchen in 2024. The project will have 2 aspects: Guided walks X 8 Cooking class X 8 Walking & Talking: We have selected 4 sites in and around Belfast, each walk has 3 tiers of difficulty to suit different fitness and ability levels. All will have pram and wheelchair accessible tiers; participants can avail of the free transport. The participants will spend a few hours in a green environment in the company of neighbours. Each week we will select a theme and will be encouraging them to spend a few minutes speaking about issues affecting their community and families with a chance to have ideas and comments recorded at the end of each walk. Cooking & Eating together The residents will come back from each walk and take part in cooking a meal together and eat together. We come from a very ethnically diverse sector of the city, and we want to reflect this in the project by including recipes from different cultures that now live in our community. Context This project fits into our local Market health action plan which has been co designed between residents and health experts from Queens University. One strand of the AP is to form a community wellbeing kitchen, residents wanted more ways in which to socialize in healthy environments & activities, so to address this we have been able to purchase some cooking stations and utensils. Our first aim is to increase the amount of healthy home cooked meals being made in the district, so people are disseminating cookery knowledge amongst their friends & families. Our second aim is to increase the cookery & facilitator skills capacity within our volunteer base, so it is sustainable in the long term.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	This grant will allow Belfast Residents to stride toward these healthy options with the longer-term picture in mind Walking in green spaces has massive positive impacts on people’s mental health and just going to new places is good for a person’s mind set. It has been shown through studies of traditional crafts that people tend toward much more positive conversations when they speak whilst their bodies are in physical action
Amount	£2,500

Group	Northern Cricket Union
Project	NCU Development Challenge Series
About the project	Provide cricket learning and development opportunities to boys and girls aged 10-17 in a game scenario and competitive environment. This will provide opportunities within the NCU landscape to players aged 10-17 to participate in cricket matches against other boys and girls in a learning but game scenario environment. Players will receive professional coaching provided by the NCU coaches. The challenge series is an ever growing programme within our organisation with numbers of boys and girls rising year upon year taking up the opportunity of professional coaching and development learning games against peers of similar ability. This project is crucial for the sustainability of boys and girls aged 10 to 16 to counteract the critical drop off rate of physical activity at this age. Cricket is a sport that caters for people of ethnic minorities due to the popularity of cricket in countries such as India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, South Africa and many more. Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world behind football. However, it has a way to go to compete against the more mainstream sports in Northern Ireland. Our massive opportunity is to grow the game for people who move to Northern Ireland as we become more cosmopolitan. If we have the support from charities and support partners such as Belfast City Council, we have an exciting opportunity to grow the game in many areas of need within Belfast. This project naturally grows the game by offering more people more opportunities. Cricket can be a sport that consists of a lot of training during the winter and then due to a number of reason including resources, weather coaching capacity etc. playing opportunities don't arise and people lose interest. Playing fixtures against peers is key to lifelong participation in sport and we hope that Belfast City Council can support the NCU to deliver this exciting project.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world behind football however, it has a way to go to compete against the more mainstream sports in Northern Ireland However, our massive opportunity is to grow the game for people who move to Northern Ireland as we become more cosmopolitan. If we have the support from charities and support partners such as Belfast City Council, we have an exciting opportunity to grow the game in many areas of need within Belfast. This project naturally grows the game by offering more people more opportunities.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Ormeau Runners
Project	Couch to 5k and beyond
About the project	Our Group is based in Ormeau in South Belfast. We tend to be females who wouldn't consider themselves athletes, so would not join a running club, but are brave enough to challenge themselves after a C25k program and keep going. We motivate everyone to stay in running as a social and mental health resource to navigate life experiences. We meet in Ormeau Park on Wednesday nights to offer structured coached training in running with targets at 10k, 1/2M and Marathon distances. We offer as an alternative to this for members who are injured/unwell/busy a walking group so that a route and distance is planned and accompanied. All club events have routes prepared and organised by coaches and everyone volunteers their time and resources freely. We have adapted to offer an open water swimming group so that safety and supervision is provided. We offer coached led runs every Sunday, social runs on Mondays and 10K run on Tuesdays. We know that the social, safe and supportive environment is what keeps us all meeting up and committing to a time to meet new friends, getting outdoors, feeling more positive and keeping healthier. We appreciate that some group members have been specifically referred by medical practitioners and credit the group support with helping during health challenges. We also have fun and celebrations, Santa run, Xmas market run, away days and supporting Belfast races. To facilitate this we need financial help to offer a safe sports environment for all our members. We need training and equipment to support our coaches who are all volunteers. We need basic first aid equipment and training and financial support to maintain a club defibrillator maintenance and training.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	We know that the social, safe and supportive environment is what keeps us all meeting up and committing to a time to meet new friends, getting outdoors, feeling more positive and keeping healthier. We appreciate that some group members have been specifically referred by medical practitioners and credit the group support with helping during health challenges.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Polish Sisterhood
Project	Dance to Health
About the project	Polish Sisterhood is a charitable organization based in Belfast supporting Polish women and their families. We run different projects, some of them open to both women and men. Dance to Health would be one of such projects. We are planning to organize 13 weekly sessions of dance classes organised in 3 separate sets of 4, 4 and 5. Different sets will cater for different groups: solo participants and pairs, Polish as well as English speakers. The classes will have a bilingual Polish instructor and one of the sets of classes will be taught in English. We will invite participants to learn and practice different types of ballroom dance, such as Tango, Waltz, Cha Cha, and Jive. We hope to have at least 12 people participating in each set of sessions. The sessions will be 2 hours long with a short break in the middle for refreshment and opportunity for relaxed chats and getting to know each other. We hope this activity will bring people together and will increase appetite for taking part in similar activities in the future. Let’s dance to health together!
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	DANCE TO HEALTH Project will enable Belfast residents to take up a new hobby or return to an old activity they once enjoyed. It will improve the participants’ physical and mental health through enjoyable interaction with other people. Dancing benefits both brain and body -.it enhances memory as well as balance and coordination. It keeps people of any age and ability fit. It will help to forge new connections and make friendships, reducing loneliness and isolation and promoting inclusion.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Réalta na Cromóige
Project	Eating for health & fitness, moving for strength & recovery
About the project	The project is aimed at young men between ages of 14 and 30 years. They will commit to one evening per week for 8 weeks to educate themselves on healthy eating and mobility techniques. The session will begin with a 45 minute run through of an aspect of physical movement to aid life long health, teach them different aspects of physical health & techniques they can easily include in their weekly routines. The purpose is to show that cardio fitness is not enough on its own to support long term health and there are many styles or techniques that can aid in their wellbeing. Each of the 8 weeks will have a facilitator to talk them through and show the importance of and techniques in: strength mobility flexibility breathing mindfulness We will base the eating around what they should be consuming before and after training & games. Learning what foods to eat & quantities during their rest days. We will make simple and affordable meals that can be easily remembered and repeated at home. The facilitator will instruct them on basic nutrition and the importance of hydration will also be highlighted each week. Club members will volunteer to plan out the meals with the facilitator and purchase the food each week. Our club is based in an area of social deprivation and is also the most ethnically diverse section of the city. Our membership reflects this and we will be diversifying our recipes to bring different cultural dishes each week.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	The facilitators will show how small changes can be built into routine so the participants can implement some in a way that suits their lifestyles. We are hopeful that this will bring lifelong healthy additions to their routines with the side benefit of them passing this information onto their club mates, friends and families. We are sure that cooking, eating and learning as a group with positive male role models with have a huge impact on an age group that are very susceptible to risks of substance misuse, anti-social behaviour and mental health problems.
Amount	£2,500

Group	St Michael's Primary School
Project	Be Creative Be Well
About the project	Our project is based around the promotion of Well Being in School through Dance and Music. We have found after the pandemic that our pupils have increased anxiety. On returning to school pupils have had opportunities to have outdoor lessons, art and PE sessions which have supported pupils. Initially this was funded through the Department of Education, however in the recent financial climate there is no longer funding available, but the need is still there. Our project will focus on Dance and Music sessions for all pupils in the school. Dancing offers plenty of benefits for managing emotions, intelligence, and relationships. Learning and practicing dance can improve self-esteem and confidence, improve mood and attitude as well as raising the heart rate and working your muscles and improving co-ordination and teamwork. We will have a 6-week dance programme for all pupils incorporating modern and traditional dance. We will have a dance zone in our playground each break time so that pupils can practice their moves and increase their physical activity. Pupils will have the opportunity to work with a choreographer, devising dance routines for our school show. Developing music in our school is a priority as we find that pupils benefit from listening to music as it can be a source of pleasure and contentment, it can relax the mind and energize the body.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	The music and dance sessions will increase the movement of all our pupils and staff. In these sessions our pupils will improve coordination, flexibility and agility. They will develop great confidence and self-esteem. The dance and music sessions will enable pupils to improve their physical wellbeing and give them opportunities to express themselves, ultimately give our pupils a sense of overall well-being. We hope to involve the parents in our project and invite them to some of our dance sessions.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Step with Annette
Project	Couch to Ceili - fun guaranteed - get moving - get dancing
About the project	"Couch to Ceili - fun guaranteed - get moving - get dancing" - I ran a similar programme in Phase 1 of this initiative, and currently run a similar initiative in my hometown of Lurgan, and it has proven to be very popular with many completely new to dance. My project is to offer to run a series of beginner dance classes at An Droichead, South Belfast. The "Couch to Ceili" class includes dances from Ireland and Scotland, Brittany and France; open to anyone, especially beginners, no partner/experience is necessary. The 2 tutors would lead their audience in a mix of traditional folk dances. The format of these dances would be lines, circles, and in couples - attendees may wish to bring a partner and dance together, but this is not essential. By Incorporating mixed dances helps promote the event as cross community. Tutor 1 - Annette: a recognised teacher of set dancing, mixed folk dances and traditional solo dance; one of the founding members of Bal Feirste, a French dance association based in Belfast, a not-for-profit organisation. Tutor 2 - Claire: a qualified teacher of Irish ceili dancing, and caller at ceilis. Both tutors have experience in working with children, adults with learning difficulties, Parkinson's groups as well as the able bodied; they can adapt their repertoire of dances to suit all those who care to join them in dance. Both Annette and Claire like to promote the health benefits of dance to all those who join them. Our plan is to offer two series of dance classes, each 5 weeks long, with live music for each final event.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Dance has been proven to be one of the best forms of exercise for both the mind and the body. We encourage people to turn up on their own which can alleviate certain concerns and can also help people make new friendships with others who have a common interest/goal.
Amount	£2,500

Group	WISPA (women in sport & physical activity)
Project	Move to Improve
About the project	We would love to deliver four Summer Boot Camps in West, North, South and East Belfast. We hope to attract women and girls (aged 18+) during the summer months to move more in order to feel better! If successful, in each area of the city we will deliver a six-week boot camp with 2 sessions a week (12 sessions in total). We will provide a variety of times and days to suit everyone, and the camps will be in community centres and leisure centres within the local community. Each session will be £1 per session which makes each boot camp not only accessible but affordable too. Boot Camp classes are a great way to help improve your cardiovascular health and strengthen your muscles. These classes also require little/no equipment which means you don’t need anything special just yourself and maybe some water! The classes are made up of body weight exercises such as squats, star jumps, sprints, lunges and more. Everyone is a beginner therefore our classes are aimed at those starting their fitness journey and those who want to get fit with a group of likeminded women and have a bit of fun!
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	We believe that taking part in an exercise class that is fun and enjoyable will be more sustainable and you will be more likely to continue this habit long term. Moving more is vital for our physical and mental wellbeing and our focus is on the women of Belfast. We want to encourage women to lead healthier lifestyles by providing accessible and affordable ways to participate in physical activity. We also want to use local council parks and leisure centres to show more women what is available in their own communities and how they can integrate more in their own areas. These boot camps will not only improve the physical and mental wellbeing of the women but also provide them with new skills and an opportunity to socialise and make new relationships.
Amount	£2,500

South 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 south Belfast, 750 people cast their vote!

Thank you to everyone who voted.

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

Angaza Happy Women’s Group - Water, Zumba, and Walk Club
Empowering Wellbeing Project - Health and Wellbeing – Mindful walking and Take 5
Fitness Freddy - Fitness Freddy Health & Wellbeing
Hen Shed - Healthy Hens
iASSIST NI – Promoting Healthy Communities
Market Health Action Group - Market Development :Walking, talking, cooking & eating as a community
Northern Cricket Union - NCU Development Challenge Series
Ormeau Runners - Couch to 5k and beyond
Polish Sisterhood - Dance to Health
Réalta na Cromóige - Eating for health & fitness, moving for strength & recovery
St Michalel's Primary School - Be Creative Be Well
Step with Annette - Couch to Ceili - fun guaranteed - get moving - get dancing
WISPA (women in sport & physical activity) – Move to Improve

More details about each of these projects is provided below.

You can read about all the projects in south 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.

South Belfast - Funded Projects

Group	Angaza – Happy Women’s Group
Project	WZW Club – Water, Zumba, and Walk Club
About the project	We will be holding swimming lessons for 10-15 asylum seeker, refugee or BAME ladies for the period of 6-8 weeks. There will be Zumba lessons for 4 weeks which will be a great way for those who want to keep fit and lose weight and also a great way for the ladies to be out of the hotel and to connect and enjoy fitness in a fun way! We will also hold 2 or 3 trips to the forest parks in NI where we will do mindful walking, Take 5 steps to health and wellbeing. We hope to start this soon to target those who want to lose weight, keep fit, initiate activeness, want to learn to swim as we know that most people are underprivileged and won't afford to take swimming lessons. This will also target ladies who have mental health challenges and also physical health challenges as long as recommended by GP or physiotherapists. The project will be spread evenly between swimming and aqua-aerobics. We target antisocial which is a part of mental health challenges. We also want to encourage building relationships and targeting their confinement in the hotel and the stigma of being afraid to go out and socialise and meet other people. We also target the ladies in the society who think that religion can stop them from swimming by creating a space of safe swimming for women considering their religion and culture. We know that once the ladies learn how to swim they too will want and strive for it for their friends and children too. We want to encourage and motivate this sport in the BAME community and hope it will be a way to help them keep themselves active and emotionally happy, which will positively affect their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. This project will build a connection between people and initiate activeness in their life. It will also tackle the stigma of confinement and keeping to themselves. Gives the ladies from the hotel freedom to be out and be themselves and learn to cope and be resilient. In every session we will first have a 30mins chat about mental health/resilience, Take 5 and on health eating and nutrition.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	.It will address issues of health and wellbeing in the BAME community and will create awareness that more BAME ladies and women are taking on swimming. It is and will be addressing the stigma of health inequalities in the BAME community. It will create an active Belfast in all communities, and it also creates a space of inclusion with other communities and also creates a Belfast of motivating physical activity and wellbeing for everyone.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Empowering Wellbeing Project
Project	Health and Wellbeing – Mindful walking and Take 5
About the project	The project will focus on walking normally and also mindful walking for those who have disabilities and those who have illness and complications and can’t walk in a pace. The project is based for ladies in the BAME community, as well as asylum seekers and refugees in the community. We will be instilling Take 5 steps to health and wellbeing in all our walking sessions. We will have gifts for the ladies to encourage them to walk. In our groups we will not discriminate, and we will accommodate elderly people who still can be active. We will have support volunteers who will be trained to support vulnerable people in their walks. We will have trips to forest parks and to trails where we will have walks and have a picnic and engage with each other and connect. These walks are to benefit them with improving their mental health, physical health and emotional health. It is also a combination of kickstarting positivity and encouraging activeness in the community of BAME and to build relationships through connecting with each other and the environment of NI and in this it improves an element of mental health which is social health. The walks and trips will last 3 hours including travelling there and coming back. We are hoping for guided walks but if not, the volunteers who are trained in walk leading will help and support the ladies in any way. We will consider safeguarding policies and will get information of their health and next of kin from them. This safeguards them and give them a sense of security.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	It will encourage physical activity and will improve the life of the BAME community in Belfast. This project will also create a platform of learning about health and wellbeing and how people can maintain that by keeping fit and doing a physical activity for 30 mins a day. The project will also create a platform of bringing people together and building relationships of encouraging each other on health.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Fitness Freddy
Project	Fitness Freddy Health & Wellbeing
About the project	The Fitness Freddy Active at schools and Well Being programme is a partnership with 3 South Belfast schools, Taughmonagh Primary, Harberton Special School and Glenveagh Special School. The programme will provide physical activity sessions within the school full of fun and laughter. This project will support children from 4 years to 11 years of age in mainstream schools to achieve this target in a fun environment. The activity will focus on an interactive dance fitness raising awareness and building confidence through activity, games and talks around the 5 Steps to wellbeing. Each school will benefit from 10 tutor hours of activity spaced out over a number of weeks to accommodate the school’s schedule. A report by Stranmillis University College (2021) emphasised that both PE and daily outdoor physical activity have a central role to play in active learning and increased engagement. The guidance highlights the benefits of a minimum of two hours physical activity a week in the development of resilience and the positive impact on children’s health and wellbeing.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	This programme will make a difference by providing fun activities including dance, games and interactive talks in 3 local schools that will benefit the children's confidence, physical fitness and wellbeing. They will come home from school with a sense of achievement and improved mental wellbeing.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Hen Shed
Project	Healthy Hens
About the project	Our Women’s group was established in September 2023 in response to an invitation by the YMCA who identified the need for a local community hub in the BT9 area. Over a coffee the concept for the Hen Shed was hatched. What started as three friends is now 23 friends & growing. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of our community by fulfilling the Take 5 steps to wellbeing. Our weekly meeting involves exercise and conversation with a cuppa. We also invite guest speakers. To date we have had two speakers: Professor Kevin Curran from Ulster University (cyber security) and Mary Brady from Belfast City Council (sustainable fashion). Through connecting with Mary, Belfast City Council have provided us with free reusable period products addressing our sustainability theme. MMEW funding would enable us to grow. We plan to use the money as follows: 1. MOVE MORE Instructor led workshops - aerobic & strength/balance exercises Dance, Yoga, Pilates. Talks – Healthy Eating, Menopause, Insomnia, loneliness 2. EAT WELL Slow cooker demonstrations, eat well on a budget, using local seasonal ingredients, reducing food waste, growing our own produce in the YMCA community garden.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	The National Institute for Health & Care Excellence endorses community engagement as a health improvement strategy. As the only local women’s group our Hen Shed is reducing social isolation by connecting & empowering women, the bedrock of society. Learning new cooking skills will promote healthy eating & group exercising will positively impact physical & mental wellbeing.
Amount	£2,500

Group	iASSIST NI
Project	Promoting Healthy Communities
About the project	Health Education and Promotion: This will help develop health education programs and campaigns to raise awareness about key health issues within the community (especially various types of cancer). It will focus on preventive measures, healthy lifestyle choices, and the importance of regular health check-ups. Mental Health Support Sessions: This will address mental health issues by offering resources such as counselling services, support groups, and mental health awareness campaigns. Reducing the stigma associated with mental health is also important especially for people in the BAME community. Cultural Sensitivity: Be culturally sensitive and respectful of the diverse backgrounds and needs of the community members. Tailor health programs and materials to be culturally relevant and inclusive. Celebration and Recognition: Celebrate the achievements and milestones of the project with the community. Recognize the efforts of individuals and organizations that have contributed to the community's improved health. We are committed to promoting a healthy community in an ongoing process that requires dedication, collaboration, and adaptability. By addressing a range of health-related factors and involving the community in the process, we continue to work towards creating a healthier, happier, and more resilient community.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Improved Physical Health: Initiatives focusing on physical health, such as exercise programs, healthier food options, and public health campaigns, can lead to a reduction in chronic diseases, obesity, and other health-related issues. Enhanced Mental Well-being: Healthy community programs often include mental health support, stress reduction activities, and initiatives to combat loneliness and isolation. These can lead to improved mental health and a greater sense of well-being among residents. Increased Social Cohesion: Health-focused community events and activities provide opportunities for social interaction, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit. This increased social cohesion is vital for a vibrant and supportive community.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Market Health Action Group - Market Development association
Project	Walking, talking, cooking & eating as a community
About the project	Market Health Action Group has been meeting since January 2023 and is an action group of the Market Development Association formed out of our partnership with Queens Communities & Place. The group has been working on issues of substance use, health education, mental & physical health programs and wants to start a Market Wellbeing Kitchen in 2024. The project will have 2 aspects: Guided walks X 8 Cooking class X 8 Walking & Talking: We have selected 4 sites in and around Belfast, each walk has 3 tiers of difficulty to suit different fitness and ability levels. All will have pram and wheelchair accessible tiers; participants can avail of the free transport. The participants will spend a few hours in a green environment in the company of neighbours. Each week we will select a theme and will be encouraging them to spend a few minutes speaking about issues affecting their community and families with a chance to have ideas and comments recorded at the end of each walk. Cooking & Eating together The residents will come back from each walk and take part in cooking a meal together and eat together. We come from a very ethnically diverse sector of the city, and we want to reflect this in the project by including recipes from different cultures that now live in our community. Context This project fits into our local Market health action plan which has been co designed between residents and health experts from Queens University. One strand of the AP is to form a community wellbeing kitchen, residents wanted more ways in which to socialize in healthy environments & activities, so to address this we have been able to purchase some cooking stations and utensils. Our first aim is to increase the amount of healthy home cooked meals being made in the district, so people are disseminating cookery knowledge amongst their friends & families. Our second aim is to increase the cookery & facilitator skills capacity within our volunteer base, so it is sustainable in the long term.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	This grant will allow Belfast Residents to stride toward these healthy options with the longer-term picture in mind Walking in green spaces has massive positive impacts on people’s mental health and just going to new places is good for a person’s mind set. It has been shown through studies of traditional crafts that people tend toward much more positive conversations when they speak whilst their bodies are in physical action
Amount	£2,500

Group	Northern Cricket Union
Project	NCU Development Challenge Series
About the project	Provide cricket learning and development opportunities to boys and girls aged 10-17 in a game scenario and competitive environment. This will provide opportunities within the NCU landscape to players aged 10-17 to participate in cricket matches against other boys and girls in a learning but game scenario environment. Players will receive professional coaching provided by the NCU coaches. The challenge series is an ever growing programme within our organisation with numbers of boys and girls rising year upon year taking up the opportunity of professional coaching and development learning games against peers of similar ability. This project is crucial for the sustainability of boys and girls aged 10 to 16 to counteract the critical drop off rate of physical activity at this age. Cricket is a sport that caters for people of ethnic minorities due to the popularity of cricket in countries such as India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, South Africa and many more. Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world behind football. However, it has a way to go to compete against the more mainstream sports in Northern Ireland. Our massive opportunity is to grow the game for people who move to Northern Ireland as we become more cosmopolitan. If we have the support from charities and support partners such as Belfast City Council, we have an exciting opportunity to grow the game in many areas of need within Belfast. This project naturally grows the game by offering more people more opportunities. Cricket can be a sport that consists of a lot of training during the winter and then due to a number of reason including resources, weather coaching capacity etc. playing opportunities don't arise and people lose interest. Playing fixtures against peers is key to lifelong participation in sport and we hope that Belfast City Council can support the NCU to deliver this exciting project.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world behind football however, it has a way to go to compete against the more mainstream sports in Northern Ireland However, our massive opportunity is to grow the game for people who move to Northern Ireland as we become more cosmopolitan. If we have the support from charities and support partners such as Belfast City Council, we have an exciting opportunity to grow the game in many areas of need within Belfast. This project naturally grows the game by offering more people more opportunities.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Ormeau Runners
Project	Couch to 5k and beyond
About the project	Our Group is based in Ormeau in South Belfast. We tend to be females who wouldn't consider themselves athletes, so would not join a running club, but are brave enough to challenge themselves after a C25k program and keep going. We motivate everyone to stay in running as a social and mental health resource to navigate life experiences. We meet in Ormeau Park on Wednesday nights to offer structured coached training in running with targets at 10k, 1/2M and Marathon distances. We offer as an alternative to this for members who are injured/unwell/busy a walking group so that a route and distance is planned and accompanied. All club events have routes prepared and organised by coaches and everyone volunteers their time and resources freely. We have adapted to offer an open water swimming group so that safety and supervision is provided. We offer coached led runs every Sunday, social runs on Mondays and 10K run on Tuesdays. We know that the social, safe and supportive environment is what keeps us all meeting up and committing to a time to meet new friends, getting outdoors, feeling more positive and keeping healthier. We appreciate that some group members have been specifically referred by medical practitioners and credit the group support with helping during health challenges. We also have fun and celebrations, Santa run, Xmas market run, away days and supporting Belfast races. To facilitate this we need financial help to offer a safe sports environment for all our members. We need training and equipment to support our coaches who are all volunteers. We need basic first aid equipment and training and financial support to maintain a club defibrillator maintenance and training.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	We know that the social, safe and supportive environment is what keeps us all meeting up and committing to a time to meet new friends, getting outdoors, feeling more positive and keeping healthier. We appreciate that some group members have been specifically referred by medical practitioners and credit the group support with helping during health challenges.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Polish Sisterhood
Project	Dance to Health
About the project	Polish Sisterhood is a charitable organization based in Belfast supporting Polish women and their families. We run different projects, some of them open to both women and men. Dance to Health would be one of such projects. We are planning to organize 13 weekly sessions of dance classes organised in 3 separate sets of 4, 4 and 5. Different sets will cater for different groups: solo participants and pairs, Polish as well as English speakers. The classes will have a bilingual Polish instructor and one of the sets of classes will be taught in English. We will invite participants to learn and practice different types of ballroom dance, such as Tango, Waltz, Cha Cha, and Jive. We hope to have at least 12 people participating in each set of sessions. The sessions will be 2 hours long with a short break in the middle for refreshment and opportunity for relaxed chats and getting to know each other. We hope this activity will bring people together and will increase appetite for taking part in similar activities in the future. Let’s dance to health together!
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	DANCE TO HEALTH Project will enable Belfast residents to take up a new hobby or return to an old activity they once enjoyed. It will improve the participants’ physical and mental health through enjoyable interaction with other people. Dancing benefits both brain and body -.it enhances memory as well as balance and coordination. It keeps people of any age and ability fit. It will help to forge new connections and make friendships, reducing loneliness and isolation and promoting inclusion.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Réalta na Cromóige
Project	Eating for health & fitness, moving for strength & recovery
About the project	The project is aimed at young men between ages of 14 and 30 years. They will commit to one evening per week for 8 weeks to educate themselves on healthy eating and mobility techniques. The session will begin with a 45 minute run through of an aspect of physical movement to aid life long health, teach them different aspects of physical health & techniques they can easily include in their weekly routines. The purpose is to show that cardio fitness is not enough on its own to support long term health and there are many styles or techniques that can aid in their wellbeing. Each of the 8 weeks will have a facilitator to talk them through and show the importance of and techniques in: strength mobility flexibility breathing mindfulness We will base the eating around what they should be consuming before and after training & games. Learning what foods to eat & quantities during their rest days. We will make simple and affordable meals that can be easily remembered and repeated at home. The facilitator will instruct them on basic nutrition and the importance of hydration will also be highlighted each week. Club members will volunteer to plan out the meals with the facilitator and purchase the food each week. Our club is based in an area of social deprivation and is also the most ethnically diverse section of the city. Our membership reflects this and we will be diversifying our recipes to bring different cultural dishes each week.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	The facilitators will show how small changes can be built into routine so the participants can implement some in a way that suits their lifestyles. We are hopeful that this will bring lifelong healthy additions to their routines with the side benefit of them passing this information onto their club mates, friends and families. We are sure that cooking, eating and learning as a group with positive male role models with have a huge impact on an age group that are very susceptible to risks of substance misuse, anti-social behaviour and mental health problems.
Amount	£2,500

Group	St Michael's Primary School
Project	Be Creative Be Well
About the project	Our project is based around the promotion of Well Being in School through Dance and Music. We have found after the pandemic that our pupils have increased anxiety. On returning to school pupils have had opportunities to have outdoor lessons, art and PE sessions which have supported pupils. Initially this was funded through the Department of Education, however in the recent financial climate there is no longer funding available, but the need is still there. Our project will focus on Dance and Music sessions for all pupils in the school. Dancing offers plenty of benefits for managing emotions, intelligence, and relationships. Learning and practicing dance can improve self-esteem and confidence, improve mood and attitude as well as raising the heart rate and working your muscles and improving co-ordination and teamwork. We will have a 6-week dance programme for all pupils incorporating modern and traditional dance. We will have a dance zone in our playground each break time so that pupils can practice their moves and increase their physical activity. Pupils will have the opportunity to work with a choreographer, devising dance routines for our school show. Developing music in our school is a priority as we find that pupils benefit from listening to music as it can be a source of pleasure and contentment, it can relax the mind and energize the body.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	The music and dance sessions will increase the movement of all our pupils and staff. In these sessions our pupils will improve coordination, flexibility and agility. They will develop great confidence and self-esteem. The dance and music sessions will enable pupils to improve their physical wellbeing and give them opportunities to express themselves, ultimately give our pupils a sense of overall well-being. We hope to involve the parents in our project and invite them to some of our dance sessions.
Amount	£2,500

Group	Step with Annette
Project	Couch to Ceili - fun guaranteed - get moving - get dancing
About the project	"Couch to Ceili - fun guaranteed - get moving - get dancing" - I ran a similar programme in Phase 1 of this initiative, and currently run a similar initiative in my hometown of Lurgan, and it has proven to be very popular with many completely new to dance. My project is to offer to run a series of beginner dance classes at An Droichead, South Belfast. The "Couch to Ceili" class includes dances from Ireland and Scotland, Brittany and France; open to anyone, especially beginners, no partner/experience is necessary. The 2 tutors would lead their audience in a mix of traditional folk dances. The format of these dances would be lines, circles, and in couples - attendees may wish to bring a partner and dance together, but this is not essential. By Incorporating mixed dances helps promote the event as cross community. Tutor 1 - Annette: a recognised teacher of set dancing, mixed folk dances and traditional solo dance; one of the founding members of Bal Feirste, a French dance association based in Belfast, a not-for-profit organisation. Tutor 2 - Claire: a qualified teacher of Irish ceili dancing, and caller at ceilis. Both tutors have experience in working with children, adults with learning difficulties, Parkinson's groups as well as the able bodied; they can adapt their repertoire of dances to suit all those who care to join them in dance. Both Annette and Claire like to promote the health benefits of dance to all those who join them. Our plan is to offer two series of dance classes, each 5 weeks long, with live music for each final event.
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	Dance has been proven to be one of the best forms of exercise for both the mind and the body. We encourage people to turn up on their own which can alleviate certain concerns and can also help people make new friendships with others who have a common interest/goal.
Amount	£2,500

Group	WISPA (women in sport & physical activity)
Project	Move to Improve
About the project	We would love to deliver four Summer Boot Camps in West, North, South and East Belfast. We hope to attract women and girls (aged 18+) during the summer months to move more in order to feel better! If successful, in each area of the city we will deliver a six-week boot camp with 2 sessions a week (12 sessions in total). We will provide a variety of times and days to suit everyone, and the camps will be in community centres and leisure centres within the local community. Each session will be £1 per session which makes each boot camp not only accessible but affordable too. Boot Camp classes are a great way to help improve your cardiovascular health and strengthen your muscles. These classes also require little/no equipment which means you don’t need anything special just yourself and maybe some water! The classes are made up of body weight exercises such as squats, star jumps, sprints, lunges and more. Everyone is a beginner therefore our classes are aimed at those starting their fitness journey and those who want to get fit with a group of likeminded women and have a bit of fun!
What difference will it make to the people of Belfast?	We believe that taking part in an exercise class that is fun and enjoyable will be more sustainable and you will be more likely to continue this habit long term. Moving more is vital for our physical and mental wellbeing and our focus is on the women of Belfast. We want to encourage women to lead healthier lifestyles by providing accessible and affordable ways to participate in physical activity. We also want to use local council parks and leisure centres to show more women what is available in their own communities and how they can integrate more in their own areas. These boot camps will not only improve the physical and mental wellbeing of the women but also provide them with new skills and an opportunity to socialise and make new relationships.
Amount	£2,500

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South Belfast MMEW - 2024

South Belfast PB Results

You can read about all the projects in south 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.

South Belfast - Funded Projects

South Belfast PB Results

You can read about all the projects in south 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.

South Belfast - Funded Projects

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