Community support

How we support groups and communities

We want to create stronger and more involved communities in Belfast by providing access to information, resources and other services.Through our Community Support Unit, we help groups that support Belfast communities. We offer free  training and support to voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across Belfast.

Services available to Belfast-based community groups

Our key services include:

• themed training
• information and advice
• partnership working and collaboration
• managing community facilities support
• organisation and service development 
• digital development
• other bespoke support

Themed training

We deliver a range of themed sessions including:

• working with a trauma-informed approach
• working safely with children and young people
• volunteer engagement and support.

Information and advice

We can guide groups on:

• a fundraising strategy
• how to apply for funding
• project planning
• accessing training and mentoring in Belfast.

Partnership working and collaboration

We help local community groups and voluntary sector organisations increase collaboration, by sharing best practice and co-ordinating community activities.

Managing community facilities support

We provide organisations with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage a community facility. This includes insight on policies and regulations as well as meeting statutory and legal requirements.

Organisation and service development

We support organisations and groups with resource audits, committee skills, governance and governing documents, book-keeping and financial management, health and safety and project planning.

Digital development

We enhance digital skills including email, social media, photo-editing tools, online banking, downloading apps, advanced Zoom, staying safe online, cyber security and looking after your device. For information on digital learning, go to Super Connected Communities. 

Other bespoke support

We supply tailored guidance suited to specific organisational needs including:

• organisation audit and red, amber, green (RAG) analysis
• facilitation
• planning
• service design and delivery
• monitoring and evaluation
• working with volunteers.

Grants, advice services and other support

We also help with the delivery of relevant funding and support including:

• Grants
  • We provide information on certain Belfast City Council grants and signpost to other possible funding organisations. To read grants information, go to Grants and funding.
• Advice services
  • To read information on benefits advice, debt management and benefits appeals service, go to Advice providers.
• Social supermarket programmes
  • To read information on accessing food support and awraparound support services in Belfast, go to Social supermarkets.
• Belfast City Youth Council
  • We listen to young people's voices through the Belfast City Youth Council. There are 30 young people from communities across Belfast on the council. They meet twice a month to agree and work on issues affecting young people. To read about their activities, go Belfast City Youth Council.

Community Support Plan 2025-2029

We have published a Community Support Plan which guides our Community Services Unit. The plan covers 2025-2029 and outlines how we want to support a more engaged and more resourceful community.

To read an executive summary, go to Belfast Community Support Plan 2025-2029 Executive summary.

Accessing community support

To access support, email [email protected]. We'll send you an engagement form to complete. With this information, we'll contact you to discuss what support is available.

Community centres in Belfast

We have community centres across Belfast.