Community Activities
The James Brown & Sons Community Fund continues to make a meaningful impact by supporting local initiatives that foster creativity, well-being, and community connection. This year, several outstanding projects have been selected to receive funding, helping to drive social engagement and personal development across Belfast. Here’s a closer look at the latest recipients:
Charter for Northern Ireland – The Crafty Collective
The Crafty Collective is a cross-community initiative that has been bringing women together from East and South Belfast to engage in educational and creative activities. Over the past nine months, the group of 24 women, aged between 50 and 75, has been working through a good relations programme. They recently completed a Level 1 qualification in Hate Crime and Conflict and are now eager to expand their horizons by exploring creative activities.
With support from the James Brown & Sons Community Fund, the group will continue its journey beyond March 2025 by engaging in new artistic projects such as clay painting, sewing, crochet, and knitting. These activities will not only develop fine motor skills but also promote mindfulness and confidence-building. By ensuring weekly sessions in alternating locations, Charter NI aims to sustain participation, encourage new members to join, and strengthen social connections within the community.
Friends of Sydenham Court Association (FoSCA)
FoSCA is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals living with dementia at Sydenham Court, a supported housing complex in East Belfast. In collaboration with tenants, carers, and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, FoSCA has designed the DASH (Dementia-Aware Social Health) programme, which aims to slow the progression of dementia and improve well-being through engaging activities.
Funding from the James Brown & Sons Community Fund will support three key initiatives within DASH:
- Toasty Mondays: Fortnightly community breakfasts that recreate familiar routines and encourage social interaction.
- Monthly Afternoon Tea Dances: Pop-up café events where residents gain confidence in ordering from a menu, accompanied by music and dancing.
- Gardening Centre Day Trips: Outings that enable residents to enjoy familiar pastimes while also enhancing their independence.
These activities will provide essential sensory stimulation, encourage social engagement, and help residents maintain a sense of self-reliance.
Kids Together Belfast – Stable Minds Equine Therapy Programme
Stable Minds is an innovative equine therapy initiative designed to support children’s mental health. With the rise in mental health challenges among young people, this project offers an alternative approach by using horse-assisted activities to develop emotional resilience, confidence, and self-awareness.
Thanks to this funding, approximately 100 children from Kids Together Belfast and local primary schools will have access to:
- Mental health workshops focusing on emotional regulation and stress management.
- Hands-on experiences with therapy horse Sid, including grooming and ground exercises.
- Structured activities such as obstacle courses and mindfulness exercises.
By integrating this programme into school well-being initiatives, Stable Minds ensures that children of all backgrounds can benefit from equine therapy and develop lifelong coping skills.
Kitsch Sisters Creative Self-Care Project
Kitsch Sisters CIC is committed to empowering women through creative self-care workshops. Recognizing the increasing rates of social isolation and mental health struggles among women, this initiative provides accessible, high-quality artisan workshops in activities such as dressmaking, jewellery making, soap and candle crafting, cookery, and painting.
With funding from the James Brown & Sons Community Fund, Kitsch Sisters will offer 10 free workshops over the next six months, benefiting at least 100 women facing financial hardship and social isolation. These workshops will:
- Foster mental well-being and resilience through creative expression.
- Encourage social connections and peer support networks.
- Equip participants with skills that can lead to new career or volunteering opportunities.
By providing a safe, welcoming space for creative self-care, this project will have a lasting impact on the mental health and community involvement of women in Belfast.
The James Brown & Sons Community Fund continues to make a tangible difference in local communities by supporting projects that address social isolation, mental well-being, and creative expression. By investing in these initiatives, the fund is helping individuals of all ages and backgrounds build stronger connections, develop new skills, and improve their quality of life. These projects exemplify the power of community-led initiatives in fostering inclusivity, resilience, and empowerment.