Issue 63 - Belfast BT4 • BT5 • BT16
Collaborative working the way forward!
Collaborative working amongst partners of the Stadium Community Benefits Initiative (SCBI) is encouraging shared learning and positive engagement amongst sporting codes across Belfast.
Young men in Orangefield created an artwork in memory of their friend Adam Woods who passed away last year aged 21.
Public artwork unveiled at Orangefield Park to raise awareness of mental health
A public artwork was unveiled at Orangefield Park Pavilion recently as part of a special project with young men in the Orangefield area in east Belfast to raise awareness of mental health. Supported by Council and Eastside Greenways, East Belfast Alternatives worked with the group of 12 to develop the artwork in memory of their friend, Adam (Woods), who passed away last year, aged 21.
The young men produced the artwork which they felt was a fitting tribute to their friend as well as celebrate his work as a local artist. The artwork at the pavilion has a poignant message ‘For every
dark night there’s a brighter day’. It is hoped it will inspire and give comfort to people struggling with their mental health and promote mental health awareness among young people who use
the park. The artwork was unveiled at a special event recently at Orangefield Park attended by members of Adam’s family with his mum Lynda painting the final patch of the artwork.
Supported by Belfast City Council, the Department for Communities, the Irish Football Association and Antrim GAA, Gaelfast, the SCBI is a 10-year programme focusing on maximising the potential of the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park and future Casement Park development to improve the lives of residents and future generations. As well as delivering individual programmes, partners have engaged in shared activities in schools and communities across the city. This way of working has generated real success with engagement and interest in the SCBI programme growing, demonstrating an appetite for shared learning across all sports.
This collaborative approach to working amongst partners was most recently showcased at the SCBI Sports Conference 2023 held in the National Football Stadium Windsor Park. There was an overwhelming positive response to the conference with attendees’ reflecting on the collaborative approach to learning across sporting codes. In the last year alone the IFA and Gaelfast delivered 2629 sessions, targeting many different groups including older people and those with a disability or learning difficulty. The delivery of those sessions resulted in nearly 16,120 people participating in sport. For more info on the SCBI programme visit www. belfastcity.gov.uk/SCBI