In a time of deepening social divides, a North Belfast initiative is demonstrating the transformative power of community connection and shared learning.
DTNI is proud to celebrate the work of our member organisation, 174 Trust, for leading the latest Circle of Change initiative in North Belfast.
As part of DTNI’s Community Connectors Trailblazers programme, which sits within the wider UK-wide Community Connectors network, the Circle of Change has shown what can be achieved when communities themselves set the agenda.
Over eight shared meals, 12 participants from across Belfast came together to listen, learn and take action. They raised £11,000 and invested these funds in three grassroots projects tackling racism, strengthening community cohesion, and addressing mental ill-health:
- Conway Education Centre – Tunes Translated, a 12-week traditional Irish music programme bringing together locals, migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through shared cultural experience.
- Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues (TAMHI) – Training young leaders from ethnically diverse backgrounds to deliver peer-to-peer mental health support.
- Forthspring Inter Community Group – Intergenerational storytelling circles, workshops, and a community art exhibition exploring identity, racism, and belonging.
The Circle of Change model is a unique approach to community-led philanthropy. To date, 60 people across Northern Ireland have taken part in five Circles, collectively investing more than £100,000 in grassroots change.
Reflecting on the initiative, Tim Magowan, Executive Director of 174 Trust, said:
“The real power of the Circle of Change is seeing communities come together, define their own priorities, and create solutions that make a lasting difference.”
Charlie Fisher CEO at DTNI said.
“UK Trailblazers is a unique initiative of the UK National Lottery Community Funded Programme Community Connectors. Trailblazers have 15 UK leaders exploring common goals and challenges in community development, sharing knowledge and experience with one another, and strengthening relationships across the UK.
Circle of Change brings fresh thinking on connecting people to explore action and resource solutions to persistent social problems. The learning from the Circle of Change has significant resonance and learning for community activists across the UK and Ireland. DTNI, working alongside Locality and the Development Trust Associations of Scotland and Wales are wholly committed to strengthening connections between people and places, locally, regionally, and nationally and we extend our thanks to all UK Trailblazers and to Tim Magowan and his team at 174 Trust.”
By spotlighting the Circle of Change, DTNI is proud to demonstrate how our members, supported through the Trailblazers programme, are driving innovative approaches to community wealth building and social equity.
