Great news for our local community! Fifteen charities across Northern Ireland, including vital programmes benefiting North Belfast, have recently been awarded a fantastic share of £131,870 by the A&O Shearman Foundation. This significant funding continues their commitment to supporting grassroots organisations that are making a real difference in education, employment opportunities, and access to justice. In fact, over the last five years, the Foundation has now distributed an impressive £452,238 locally.
Among the successful applicants this year is Business in the Community NI, which directly impacts our area. They highlighted the incredible support received from A&O Shearman volunteers, who dedicate their time each week to deliver literacy, numeracy, and coding support. Notably, Cliftonville Integrated Primary School in North Belfast is one of the beneficiaries of their 'Time to Read', 'Time to Code', and 'Time2Count' programmes. Dr Lisa McIlvenna, Managing Director at Business in the Community NI, emphasised that this level of support for primary school children wouldn't be possible without A&O Shearman's generosity, helping over 500 pupils develop critical skills.
Other impactful organisations also received grants, including MindWise and Young Enterprise NI. MindWise will use its funding to provide crucial mental health programmes for 11–18-year-olds at risk of disengaging from education or employment. These programmes include in-school resilience workshops and training for youth club staff, aiming to help over 1,000 pupils manage stress and build confidence. Young Enterprise NI's QuickStart programme will empower 700 young people across Northern Ireland with hands-on enterprise education, helping them set up and run businesses, gaining vital skills in entrepreneurship and financial management.
Beyond the financial grants, A&O Shearman also encourages its 800+ employees in Belfast to get involved through volunteering and pro bono opportunities. Simon Wagstaff, Chair of the Belfast Grants Committee, noted that this holistic approach is a cornerstone of their social impact work, aiming to motivate and inspire everyone in the office to contribute to a fairer, more equitable society. This blend of funding and active participation truly strengthens our community.