Nineteen young people from east Belfast aged 11 to 18 have been given the unique opportunity to have personal ice-skating and hockey lessons with the Belfast Giants at the SSE Arena.
It forms part of a Belfast Giants ‘Line Change’ programme aimed at strengthening community connections and building a positive future.
Delivered by Clanmil Housing Association and the Belfast Giants, Line Change will provide participants with dedicated ice-skating lessons as well as an opportunity to learn from other local sports figures reinforcing the club’s ethos that “In the Land of Giants, Everyone is Equal.”
Four-time Paralympic gold medallist Michael McKillop, will focus on breaking down barriers and goal-setting, and former Olympic and Commonwealth boxing champion Paddy Barnes will share his personal journey and deliver a practical boxing session.
Speaking about their involvement in the programme, Stephen Key, CSR Coordinator and Performance Coach for the Belfast Giants, said:
“Line Change is about far more than learning to skate or play ice hockey. It’s about confidence, leadership and giving young people the opportunity to grow as individuals. Clanmil’s support helps us connect this programme directly into the heart of our local communities and ensure it delivers lasting benefits.”
Eliza Martin, Community Investment Manager at Clanmil, said:
“We are proud to support Line Change as part of our wider commitment to shared housing and community investment for our new homes at Dargan House at Loftlines. This programme provides young people with positive experiences, strong role models and the chance to build skills and resilience that will benefit them now and in the future.”
With a focus on building resilience and wellness, the programme has been developed with East Belfast PSNI, restorative justice and community safety organisation East Belfast Alternatives.
Clanmil’s support for Line Change is linked to its new homes at Dargan House at Loftlines in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, which are being promoted as a Housing for All shared neighbourhood. It reflects Clanmil’s commitment to investing in people, place and positive community outcomes.
The programme includes a mix of on-ice skating and hockey sessions at the SSE Arena, off-ice ball hockey sessions, and interactive workshops designed to build leadership, confidence, resilience and overall wellbeing.
The Line Change programme is supported by the Department for Communities and the Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme. The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive’s Together: Building a United Community Strategy, reflecting the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. A potential £12.7 million will be invested in the Dargan House shared housing development and its associated five-year Good Relations Plan. Clanmil continues to work in partnership with the local Advisory Group to develop the scheme’s Good Relations Plan which includes events which are delivered to the wider community to encourage a range of good relations outcomes.
