Pay
Report
Apply
Date: 12 November 2025
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, has met with communities taking part in restorative justice projects in the city and announced NI Alternatives as one of her chosen charities.
Visiting the charity’s Greater Shankill branch, Councillor Kelly spoke with project co-ordinators and counsellors and heard about the work of the charity to divert young people away from challenging behaviour and encourage dialogue and teamwork as a means to resolving conflict.
Through their programmes and services, NI Alternatives promote and develop non-violent community responses to issues of low-level crime and anti-social behaviour across Northern Ireland, with branches in north, east and south Belfast, as well as Greater Shankill.
The Lord Mayor heard from those taking part in the charity’s MIND (Mentoring, Interventions, Nurturing and Development) project which supports vulnerable young people and spoke about her own passion for supporting those who are not in education, training or employment to reach their full potential.
She said: “One of my goals for my year in office is to ensure everyone in Belfast feels part of our city and has the chance to be the best they can be.
“Having made use of NI Alternatives’ fantastic mental health support services myself in the past, I know they are doing amazing work to give people the skills and confidence to deal with conflict in more positive ways.
“By providing hands-on support directly to schools, community groups and individuals, they are showing that there is another pathway and are helping participants to understand, and deal with, the factors that can cause anti-social behaviour, crime and violence.
“This support is vital in opening up new opportunities, especially for those who feel disengaged or left behind, so I’m pleased to lend NI Alternatives my support towards their work during my year in office.”
Each year, the First Citizen selects a number of charities to support during their year in office. Additional charities are also chosen by the Deputy Lord Mayor and the High Sheriff respectively, providing a much-needed boost to the charity sector from the city’s team of civic dignitaries.
Debbie Watters OBE, Co-Director of NI Alternatives, said the organisation was honoured to be selected as one of the Lord Mayor’s civic charities for her term in office.
She said: “We are delighted that the Lord Mayor has chosen us as one of her charities. Her commitment to young people, their wellbeing and positive mental health shines through.
“The MIND (Mentoring, Interventions, Nurturing and Development) project provides a high-quality therapeutic and counselling service that helps young people when they are most vulnerable and most in need.
“It is amazing that the Lord Mayor recognises the importance of supporting vulnerable young people and ensuring that they get the support they need at a grassroots level, in a manner that is responsive and relevant to their needs.”
More information about NI Alternatives is available from alternativesrj.co.uk