East Belfast Mission was founded in 1985 to engage in community development and service in the Newtownards Road, Ballymacarrett district of Belfast. It grew out of the work of Newtownards Road Methodist Church which has a history of community service stretching back to 1826. It is the oldest, and one of the largest community organisations in the area and mobilises a staff team of 50 and a volunteer team of more than 70 people in the service of the community.
The organisation has a track record of strategic partnership in social care, including a long-standing relationship with Oaklee Housing Association and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in work with homeless people, the Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) in work with people who are unemployed and the South & East Belfast Health & Social Services Trust in work with older people and young people.