Phoenix Education Centre NI - May 2026 Newsletter
As we move further into 2026, May has been another productive and rewarding month for everyone involved at Phoenix Education Centre NI. Throughout the month, we continued delivering a wide range of educational and community-based activities designed to support local young people, families, and residents across East Belfast. The past few weeks have been filled with positive engagement, new experiences, and opportunities for personal growth, and it has been fantastic to see participants continuing to develop their confidence, skills, and aspirations.
At Phoenix Education Centre NI, we remain committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where individuals feel encouraged to learn, grow, and achieve their potential. Across all of our programmes, we have seen excellent participation and enthusiasm from those attending sessions and activities. Whether through educational support, mentoring, group work, wellbeing activities, or community events, our aim is always to provide meaningful opportunities that positively impact the lives of those we work with.
This month has also highlighted the strength of partnership and community spirit that continues to surround our organisation. We are grateful for the ongoing support from staff, volunteers, local organisations, families, and supporters who help make our work possible. Their dedication and encouragement continue to play a major role in the success of our programmes and the positive atmosphere that Phoenix Education Centre NI is known for.
Spotlight: IFI trip to Game Of Throne studio tour
One of the standout moments of May was our exciting IFI trip to the Game Of Thrones Studio Tour, which provided participants with a unique and memorable experience outside of their normal routines. The trip gave young people the opportunity to explore one of Northern Ireland’s most famous attractions while learning more about the world of television, film production, and the creative industries.
Throughout the day, participants had the chance to walk through authentic sets used during filming, view original costumes and props, and discover the incredible level of detail and teamwork involved in creating such a globally successful series. Many were fascinated by the behind-the-scenes insight into special effects, costume design, production planning, and set construction, helping to open conversations around future career opportunities and creative pathways that they may not have previously considered.
Beyond the educational aspect of the visit, the trip was also an important opportunity for social connection, confidence building, and positive relationship development. Participants enjoyed spending time together in a relaxed and supportive environment, strengthening friendships and creating shared memories that will stay with them for a long time. It was fantastic to see everyone engaging so positively throughout the day and making the most of the experience.
Trips like these remain an important part of the work we do at Phoenix Education Centre NI. Providing young people with opportunities to experience new environments, develop independence, and broaden their horizons can have a lasting impact on both confidence and personal development. The success of the visit was clear to see, and we would like to thank everyone involved in helping to organise and support the trip.
CEO Highlights - May 2026
May was another productive and impactful month for Phoenix Education Centre NI, with our CEO, Emma Shaw, continuing to champion the organisation’s growth, partnerships, and support for local communities across Northern Ireland.
Throughout the month, Emma worked closely with the Board of Directors to further develop and expand Phoenix Education Centre NI’s existing provision, ensuring that our services continue to meet the evolving needs of young people and communities. Significant time was also dedicated to funding applications, tender submissions, and ongoing liaison with funders to help secure the sustainability and future growth of our programmes.
Strengthening partnerships remained a key focus. Emma engaged with the Newtownards Road Development Group, a consortium of organisations committed to making the Newtownards Road a better place to live and work, and continued to build relationships with key stakeholders across Northern Ireland. She also met with Hanwood Sports Centre in Tullycarnet, arm’s-length bodies, and Colleen from East Belfast Community Development Agency (EBCDA) to discuss an upcoming project for the East Belfast Anti-Poverty Alliance’s Root Causes subgroup.
Emma represented Phoenix Education Centre NI at a range of strategic meetings and events, including a tension monitoring meeting, the Inner East Forum, the Outer South & East Family Support Hub meeting, and the launch of the International Fund for Ireland’s new strategy at Black Mountain Shared Space. She also presented on our RAISE projects to the East Belfast Locality Planning Group and contributed to research being undertaken by Queen’s University Belfast on alternative education provision within community settings.
The month also provided opportunities to celebrate and connect with wider networks. Emma attended a book launch hosted by Tina McKenzie and travelled to London for a Clothworkers event. She was also honoured to attend the Garden Party at Hillsborough Castle, where Their Majesties The King and Queen were in attendance.
Most importantly, Emma continued to focus on the young people at the heart of our work. She supported students preparing for their GCSE examinations and worked alongside staff and partners to help several young people progress into employment, creating positive pathways and opportunities for their futures.
As we move into the summer months, Phoenix Education Centre NI remains committed to strengthening partnerships, developing innovative programmes, and creating meaningful opportunities for young people and communities across Northern Ireland.
Community Corner
Community continues to sit at the heart of everything we do at Phoenix Education Centre NI, and May has once again demonstrated the importance of creating safe, inclusive, and encouraging spaces where people feel supported and connected. Throughout the month, our centre remained busy with a range of educational programmes, mentoring opportunities, and community-focused activities that brought people together and encouraged positive engagement.
We have continued working closely with local residents, families, schools, and partner organisations to ensure that the needs of the community remain central to the work we deliver. By listening to the experiences and challenges faced by local people, we are able to provide support that is both meaningful and responsive. It has been encouraging to see participants continuing to engage positively with sessions, support one another, and grow in confidence week by week.
A major strength of Phoenix Education Centre NI is the sense of belonging that exists within the centre. Many individuals who attend our programmes speak about the positive relationships they have built, the encouragement they receive, and the supportive atmosphere they experience when taking part in activities. This sense of community plays a vital role in helping people feel valued, motivated, and empowered to work towards their goals.
We would also like to recognise the contribution of our dedicated staff and volunteers who continue to go above and beyond in supporting participants and creating positive experiences every day. Their hard work, patience, and commitment make a real difference to the lives of those we work with and help maintain the welcoming environment that Phoenix Education Centre NI is proud to provide.
Coming up in June
As we look ahead to June, we are excited for another busy and engaging month at Phoenix Education Centre NI. Plans are already underway for a range of activities, programmes, and opportunities aimed at continuing to support learning, wellbeing, and personal development within the community.
Throughout the coming weeks, we will continue delivering educational support sessions, mentoring opportunities, and group-based activities designed to encourage participation, build confidence, and develop practical skills. We are also looking forward to creating further opportunities for young people to take part in positive experiences outside of the classroom setting, helping them continue to build friendships, explore new interests, and develop important life skills.
June will also provide another opportunity to strengthen community connections and continue building positive partnerships with local organisations and supporters. By working together, we can continue creating opportunities that have a meaningful and lasting impact on the people we support.
We are excited about what the next month will bring and look forward to sharing more success stories, achievements, and highlights in our next newsletter.
Thank You & How To Stay Involved
As always, we would like to finish by thanking everyone who continues to support Phoenix Education Centre NI and contribute to the work we do within the community. Every participant who attends sessions, every volunteer who gives their time, every partner organisation that works alongside us, and every supporter who encourages our work plays an important role in helping us continue making a positive difference.
The continued support we receive allows us to provide opportunities, experiences, and encouragement to individuals who benefit greatly from having access to a safe and supportive environment. Seeing participants grow in confidence, develop new skills, and achieve personal goals reminds us why this work is so important.
We encourage everyone to stay connected with Phoenix Education Centre NI through our social media channels and community updates to keep informed about upcoming activities, events, and opportunities to get involved. Whether through attending programmes, volunteering, supporting events, or simply helping spread awareness of the work we do, every contribution helps strengthen the impact we can make together.
Thank you once again for your continued support throughout May. We look forward to another positive and productive month ahead.