They spend their days, and often their nights, aiding those who are homeless in Belfast. They aim to support people in making the move off the street and towards independent living. They long to provide a sense of belonging and community for those sleeping rough on our streets. They are the staff of The Welcome [...]
Stories of Life
Thursday, March 3, 2011
It was a night where vintage and urban chic met to create a quirky backdrop for another Tell It In Colour storytelling night. The venue this time was a warehouse in Ballymena, which had been transformed for this latest gig in our ‘Stories of Life’ tour. Cold grey walls were now covered in fairy lights, [...]
When Neighbours become Friends…
Monday, February 21, 2011
Stuart, Joel, Thomas, Mark, John, James, Dean. Seven friends with a dream for Belfast. Seven guys with a passion to see city neighbours become friends…
‘Everyday Belfast’ is an idea which began in student circles at Queens University in September 2010. Stuart Bothwell, was one of of the initiators: “I guess we saw that student culture [...]
The Party of a Lifetime
Thursday, January 13, 2011
He’d had enough. Felt like there was no point in struggling on. This was it.
David* had been finding university tough for the last few months but couldn’t see any other alternative for his life. He felt like he’d just have to keep going, hoping that something better was on the way. But to him it [...]
Her story, her gift…
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
“I just seemed to keep going.” Claire is 24. She’s from Derry. And is a cancer survivor who’s now using her experiences to help other young people through their cancer journeys.
Diagnosed with the disease in May 2007 Claire Henderson battled through 18 months of intense chemotherapy and stem cell treatment. She’s now been in remission [...]
Freedom in the Cage…
Thursday, November 11, 2010
He was smaller than the other guys, had never been that great at football and was used to feeling like ‘the loser’. That was before he entered ‘The Cage’. There he shone, there he felt valued – and now the older kids were clamouring to have him on their team.
Nomad Football Cage sessions, which [...]
When your car becomes your bed…
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Autumn was turning to winter, the nights were noticeably colder and darker, but that didn’t deter those sleeping in their cars in a Belfast church car park for the night; they were taking part in a national act of solidarity to highlight the cause of those broken by debt.
It may seem like a crazy idea, [...]
Waiting to Smile…
Thursday, September 30, 2010
They were two red-coats at the end of their shift on the streets of Belfast; they’d got the usual amount of hassle and very few smiles. Then they were approached by a group who made a strange request; these people offered them the chance to have their photos taken for free. The two men [...]
Late night encounters and post-it notes
Friday, September 3, 2010
3.12 am. I sat there in silence. One small spotlight illuminated the room and lit up a window full of post-it notes and an old wooden cross draped in green ribbon, writes Ben Connelly. DC and Bean lay on the floor sleeping. “Great! This is my slot, and I can’t even listen to music.” No [...]
Back to the future
Monday, August 30, 2010
The smell of the burgers filled the whole room. Those who were in the room seemed to regret not taking up the offer of a free burger, writes Steve Caldwell. It was 8pm and the magnificent Donegal sunset crept under the blanket of darkness that was about to cover as far as the eye could [...]










Spark is a shared outreach vision between the churches of Ballymena which aims to show love ...