On 12th November 2025, Belfast's Lord Mayor, Councillor Tracy Kelly, announced a significant boost for our community, naming NI Alternatives as one of her chosen charities for her year in office. This fantastic news will undoubtedly enhance the vital work of the organisation, which has a dedicated branch right here in North Belfast, alongside locations in East, South Belfast, and Greater Shankill.
Councillor Kelly recently visited the charity's Greater Shankill branch, where she met with project co-ordinators and counsellors. She learned first-hand about their incredible efforts to divert young people away from challenging behaviours and to promote dialogue and teamwork as powerful tools for resolving conflict. Through their comprehensive programmes and services, NI Alternatives champion non-violent responses to issues like low-level crime and anti-social behaviour across Northern Ireland.
The Lord Mayor was particularly impressed by the MIND (Mentoring, Interventions, Nurturing and Development) project, which offers crucial support to vulnerable young people. Speaking about her own passion, Councillor Kelly emphasised her commitment to helping everyone in Belfast, especially those not currently in education, training, or employment, to reach their full potential. She shared, "One of my goals for my year in office is to ensure everyone in Belfast feels part of our city and has the chance to be the best they can be."
Councillor Kelly also revealed a personal connection to the charity, stating, "Having made use of NI Alternatives’ fantastic mental health support services myself in the past, I know they are doing amazing work to give people the skills and confidence to deal with conflict in more positive ways." She added that by providing hands-on support to schools, community groups, and individuals, NI Alternatives "are showing that there is another pathway and are helping participants to understand, and deal with, the factors that can cause anti-social behaviour, crime and violence. This support is vital in opening up new opportunities, especially for those who feel disengaged or left behind."
Debbie Watters OBE, Co-Director of NI Alternatives, expressed her delight at the announcement. "We are honoured and delighted that the Lord Mayor has chosen us as one of her charities. Her commitment to young people, their wellbeing, and positive mental health shines through," she said. Debbie highlighted that the MIND project offers a "high-quality therapeutic and counselling service that helps young people when they are most vulnerable and most in need," adding that it's "amazing that the Lord Mayor recognises the importance of supporting vulnerable young people and ensuring that they get the support they need at a grassroots level, in a manner that is responsive and relevant to their needs."
Each year, the city's First Citizen selects a number of charities to support, providing a much-needed boost to the charity sector. This partnership with the Lord Mayor will help NI Alternatives continue their invaluable work in our community. For more information about NI Alternatives and their programmes, please visit alternativesrj.co.uk.