Category: Community

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Youth Initiatives

Youth Initiatives

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h1″ text_size=”h1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”152899″]Youth Initiatives at Derryvolgie[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text text_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”662096″]

Youth Initiatives is a dynamic and welcoming youth organisation dedicated to helping young people grow in confidence, develop life skills, and make a positive impact in their communities.

Working across Northern Ireland, Youth Initiatives supports young people from a wide range of backgrounds — particularly those who may need it most — creating opportunities to learn, connect, and thrive.

What Happens at Youth Initiatives?

Programmes are designed to be engaging, purposeful, and empowering, helping young people build skills for life while enjoying being part of a supportive community.

Young people can get involved in:

  • Youth clubs and community hubs
  • Leadership and personal development programmes
  • Group activities and team-building experiences
  • Projects focused on community impact and social change

Everything is built around helping young people discover their potential, develop confidence, and take positive steps forward.

Building Confidence, Leadership & Community

Youth Initiatives places a strong focus on empowering young people to lead and influence change within their communities.

Through their programmes, young people are encouraged to:

  • Develop leadership skills
  • Build resilience and self-belief
  • Work collaboratively with others
  • Contribute to creating a more inclusive and positive society

Their work is rooted in values of equality, inclusion, and respect, helping young people feel supported and valued.

A Safe and Supportive Environment

All activities are delivered by experienced youth workers and volunteers who are passionate about creating safe, welcoming spaces.

There is a strong emphasis on:

  • Inclusion and belonging
  • Positive relationships
  • Personal wellbeing
  • Encouragement and support

This ensures young people feel comfortable, confident, and able to be themselves.

Who Is It For?

Youth Initiatives works with young people across a range of ages and communities, particularly those who may benefit from additional support, encouragement, or opportunities.

It’s ideal for young people who want to:

  • Meet new people
  • Build confidence
  • Learn new skills
  • Get involved in something meaningful

Where & When

📍 Locations: Across Northern Ireland (including Belfast, Downpatrick, Banbridge, and more)
📅 Programmes: Delivered throughout the week via local youth clubs and community hubs

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Twilight Market

Close-up of handmade woollen sheep and festive gifts on display at the Twilight Market in Derryvolgie Hall

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h1″ text_size=”h1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”101895″]Twilight Market Brings Festive Warmth and Community Spirit to Derryvolgie Hall[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”203284″]

As the evenings drew in and the festive season approached, Derryvolgie Hall was transformed into a hub of creativity, colour and connection with our recent Twilight Market — and what a joy it was.

From the moment the doors opened, the hall buzzed with conversation, laughter and that unmistakable pre-Christmas warmth. Soft lighting, twinkling fairy lights and beautifully decorated stalls created a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where neighbours became friends and familiar faces stopped to chat a little longer.

Celebrating Local Makers and Creativity

The Twilight Market showcased an incredible range of local talent, with stalls brimming with handcrafted gifts, artwork, textiles, decorations and seasonal treats. From lovingly crocheted toys and festive knits to handmade wooden decorations and artisan food, every table told a story of creativity, care and skill.

Visitors had the chance to meet the makers themselves, hear the stories behind their work, and find thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts — a refreshing reminder of the value of shopping local and supporting small businesses within our community.

More Than a Market

What made the Twilight Market truly special wasn’t just what was on sale — it was the sense of togetherness. Families browsed side by side, friends gathered for a catch-up, and children delighted in the colour and buzz of the evening. The hall felt alive with connection, reflecting exactly what Derryvolgie stands for: faith, family and community.

Events like this are a wonderful example of how our hall can be used as a shared space — not just for regular groups and Sunday worship, but for moments that bring people together in new and meaningful ways.

Thank You

A huge thank you goes to everyone who made the Twilight Market such a success:

  • the stallholders who brought their creativity and passion

  • the volunteers who helped set up, welcome visitors and keep everything running smoothly

  • and everyone who came along to support the event

Your involvement is what turns a simple idea into a memorable community experience.

Looking Ahead

Following the success of the Twilight Market, we’re excited about hosting more community-focused events in the future. Whether you’re a local maker, a regular hall user, or a family new to the area, Derryvolgie Hall is a place where you are always welcome.

Keep an eye on our What’s On page and social channels for upcoming events — we’d love to see you there.

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Supporting Children Through Play

Play therapist leading a creative play therapy activity with a child in a school setting.

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading uncode_shortcode_id=”999753″]Supporting Children Through Play: Derryvolgie Secures Funding for School-Based Play Therapy[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”721026″]

At St Columba’s Derryvolgie, we are deeply committed to serving our wider community — especially children and families who may need extra care and support. We are delighted to share that, through secured funding provided by the Church of Ireland Children & Orphans Society (COICOS), we have been able to support the delivery of play therapy services in two local primary schools, helping children access professional emotional support in a safe, familiar environment.

We are particularly proud that Derryvolgie is currently the only parish providing this kind of unique and innovative project, responding directly to the emotional wellbeing needs of children within our local community.

This vital work is being carried out by Karen Douglas, an experienced and highly regarded play therapist, through her organisation Mustard Seed Play Therapy.

Why Play Therapy Matters

For many children, emotions can be difficult to express in words. Play therapy provides a gentle, child-centred way for children to explore feelings, build emotional resilience and develop coping strategies – all through play, creativity and trusted relationships.

Through structured yet flexible sessions, children are supported to:

  • Process emotions in a safe, supportive space

  • Build confidence and self-esteem

  • Develop emotional literacy and resilience

  • Improve focus, relationships, and overall wellbeing

Play therapy meets children where they are, allowing healing and growth to happen naturally over time.

The Work of Karen Douglas and Mustard Seed Play Therapy

Karen Douglas, founder of Mustard Seed Play Therapy, brings a wealth of experience, compassion and professionalism to her work with children. Her approach is rooted in care, consistency and respect for each child’s individual journey.

Through Mustard Seed Play Therapy, Karen delivers sessions that are:

  • Child-led and trauma-informed

  • Grounded in best practice and safeguarding standards

  • Carefully adapted to the needs of each school community

The impact of this work is seen not only in individual children, but also across classrooms, families and the wider school environment.

A Community Partnership in Action

We are incredibly thankful that funding from the Church of Ireland Children & Orphans Society (COICOS) has enabled St Columba’s Derryvolgie to partner in this important initiative. Their support has made it possible to deliver a project that is both innovative and deeply rooted in compassion.

By supporting play therapy in local schools, we are investing in the emotional wellbeing of children at a crucial stage of life – reflecting our wider mission as a church to serve with care, respond to real needs and support the flourishing of our community in practical and meaningful ways.

Looking Ahead

We are encouraged by the positive difference this work is already making and remain committed to exploring further opportunities to support children, families and schools across our area.

If you would like to learn more about Derryvolgie Church’s community outreach, or the work of Mustard Seed Play Therapy, please feel free to get in touch.

Together, even the smallest seeds of care can grow into lasting change 🌱

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Cost of Living

Stained glass window saying HOPE

[vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”2″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ content_parallax=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”531269″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”115174″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h1″ text_size=”h1″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_space=”fontspace-210350″ uncode_shortcode_id=”630864″]Cost of Living[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”181101″]

As a church we are all too aware of the hardship many in our community are facing with the ever increasing costs of food, fuel and electricity.

Please read this leaflet which contains the details of organisations and charities that may be able to help out in this time (or download it from the link below)

Cost-of-Living-Leaflet-NI

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