The Croí na mBan - Heart Spáce project was founded on community development principles to address health inequalities among young women aged 18-30. By engaging up to 35 participants with lived experiences of poor mental health, particularly in areas of high deprivation, the project sought to foster confidence, self-esteem, and a path to personal freedom centred on health and well-being.
A key success of the project was its user-led framework, allowing participants to shape their own journey. Through workshops, outreach activities, and hands-on learning, they gained valuable skills and a sense of empowerment. One participant discovered an opportunity through The King’s Trust and has since attended a course, securing an interview with a public sector organisation. Another participant successfully launched an art business, inspiring the group who supported her during her workspace launch.
A major outreach initiative, The Remembering Tree, formed part of the Antrim Christmas Tree Festival. This project provided a meaningful space for participants to honour lost loved ones during a challenging time of year, offering comfort and fostering community belonging.
Throughout the programme, participants identified their own health-related needs and designed responses to them. Workshops on mental health and suicide prevention expanded their understanding, while sessions facilitated by specialists provided practical skills. Their collective action in supporting bereaved individuals reframed community conversations on grief and mental health, demonstrating the power of peer-led change.
While the programme was highly successful, its growing popularity presented challenges as it neared its conclusion. Currently, there is no available funding for continuation, but FME is proposing collaboration with Radius Housing to sustain the initiative and support more young women.
The mentor had substantial knowledge and therefore was agile in their ability to support small matters arising in relation to this project and then quickly pivot to support with complex organisational needs for mentoring and support. The provided invaluable support, encouragement, and expertise to the team as they navigated their personal and professional
growth. The showed a deep understanding of community development principles and how FME we are better able to implement these in our work.
This project showcased the power of inclusive community-led support. FME’s approach ensured broad engagement across diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, fostering cross-community collaboration.
Ultimately, Croí na mBan - Heart Spáce not only empowered young women to take control of their health and well-being but also demonstrated the profound impact of community-driven initiatives in addressing health inequalities. The lessons learned and networks built will continue to influence the lives of participants and the broader community for years to come.
“FME truly treasures the opportunity to work with the Elevate Programme in deliver a high quality project with positive long-term impacts for health locally. The CDHN model is an example of exemplary practice offering opportunities for small organisations like us to take on meaningful projects and expand our capacity to deliver community development in the longer term. The mentoring on this occasion was incredible and offered FME a high quality supportive experience from which FME has grown in confidence and feels better able to work collaboratively going forward.”
