EBCDA Welcome Packs for residents of East Belfast

Our Welcome Packs are part of a project by the East Belfast Community Development Agency aided through a £497,197 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.

East Belfast – like many in Northern Ireland – is becoming increasingly diverse, adding it is important for all residents to feel welcome.

Mental Health in particular can be badly affected after a big change. There’s a clear need for a resource for people to get support and feel welcome. So, we’ve been working with East Belfast Race Relations Network for over a year on a ‘Welcome Pack’ which is personally delivered to that individual/families doorstep from a local community rep.

The packs are for anyone who is new to East Belfast, whether you’re from another part of the city, or another part of the world. It’s the personal and small things that make a big difference and that is definitely the idea here.

There’s a welcome letter and information on all local support and services, useful facts like when to put your bin out and the nearest community centre, park, doctor and shop. We also include some Tayto crisps and an ornament of the Harland and Wolff cranes, it’s a personal touch which shows people they are welcome here, and this just means so much.

One young mother and her family who recently moved to East Belfast described moving house as a very stressful time for them, adding she was very grateful for the welcome pack. “It made the transition easier, and I have connected in with Family Support Groups which has helped me to feel settled,”

A person delivering a big yellow box is hard to forget or miss, so those receiving them also meet a friendly face. Everyone who gets one finds it so useful and we’ve been delighted with the response so far.

If you would like more information, please contact us on 028 9045 1512 or email admin@ebcda.org.