Active Communities Network Belfast works with its partners to deliver the Active Communities Network vision across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Active Communities Network (ACN) Belfast began, in 2009, with a pilot programme in the heart of west Belfast. Ever since, the charity has worked across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland delivering services that benefit disadvantaged communities. We have learnt a lot from the many projects we have delivered across the locality. and have developed a unique methodology from that.
Basing its services on local needs, ACN Belfast works with its partners to deliver the ACN vision: creating opportunities, inspiring change and tackling inequality. Since its inception, ACN Belfast has been proud to work with a wide range of supportive funders.
EmpowHER is a programme designed and developed by women and girls to provide education around safety, violence against women and girls and managing safe relationships.
At the heart of ACN Belfast is a needs-led, person-centred experience. The organisation has undertaken many consultation exercises and promotes a Youth Committee to involve young people in decision-making and governance. We plan programmes to ensure that young people experience opportunities, supported personal development, mentoring and training support. We have focused on projects that empower young people. These have included peer-learning and volunteering projects known to motivate young people and ensure sustainable change.
We offer young people a range of qualifications from our curriculum which include milestone qualifications and OCN Level 1 and Level 2 awards focusing on employment, enterprise, leadership and life skills.
An overarching aim is to build the capacity of young people through skills development and issue-based work through ACN Education Hubs. These work in partnership with schools, further education and restorative justice programmes to ensure that young people failed by education, training and employment have the chance to develop key skills in an informal setting, broaden their horizons and raise their aspirations.
The Inclusion programme provides support to individuals struggling with academic underachievement and those who require additional support that their school are unable to offer. A number of schools throughout Belfast work closely with the staff team as a key referral agent as our service can target the needs and concerns of their young people within our community setting.
ACN Belfast work with employers, colleges and universities to help create pathways into work and ongoing skills development. We support young people to access employment and work placements across sectors, breaking through barriers experienced by young people from disadvantaged communities. Our successful GOALS+ project has improved access to long-term employment, including with large employers. With a person-centred mentoring and goals-setting focus, our employability projects in Belfast have contributed to sustained employment for hundreds of young people, while developing their autonomy.
ACN Belfast work with an extensive network of community partners across Belfast, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The strength of this multi-agency approach has enabled the development of new approaches within existing structures. By working cooperatively with established, locally trusted organisations, the partnership projects we deliver provide additional benefits to disadvantaged communities, rather than duplicating existing services.
Which projects have benefitted disadvantaged communities across Ireland? What have the experiences of people in those communities been? To help build an evidence-base to answer these questions, ACN Belfast host independent research publications regarding project impact. This is helping to develop a library of good practice which partner agencies and stakeholders can use.
The Hope Programme focuses on supporting the young people by providing mentoring support, group activities and education or training opportunities. There are also opportunities to learn new skills and you are supported to volunteer.