[21/2/2012]

Bright Sparks will offer a ‘wraparound service’ for 59 children up to the age of 12 years. The facility will be based in the new ‘state of the art’ purpose building which is located within the new Skainos £20 million development on the lower Newtownards Road and is a social economy project of East Belfast Mission. Bright Sparks will provide professional, structured, educational care within a learning stimulated environment to ensure your child can reach its full potential.

* Highly Competitive rates

* Fully registered

* Qualified staff

* Freshly cooked Nutritious meals

* Secure fully equipped outdoor play area

* Convenient drop–off at door facility

* Breakfast club and afterschool

* Pick up & drop off service for primary school

* Discount for additional children

For more information to register your interest on our exciting new service, please contact: Anne Walsh Director of Business Development on 028 90 738304.

[26/1/2012]

EBM’s Social Economy project wins another award!!

Ulster Bank Launch 18th annual ‘Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards’

EBM’s Business Development Director Anne Walsh and Finance Director Neil Morris attended the Ulster Bank Awards Breakfast on Thursday 26^th January 2012.

The ‘Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards’ recognises business success, irrespective of offering, size, sector or location. The awards, now in their 18th year, are in association with the Irish Independent, Enterprise Ireland, Inter TradeIreland and Invest NI.

Companies are judged on a variety of merits including financial performance, company milestones and achievements, future strategy for the business and development of innovative products and services.

Entries for the 2011 awards were open to businesses across all sectors and businesses could enter themselves in up to two of eight categories:

1. Innovation & Emerging Technology Award
2. International Business Award
3. Social Entrepreneurship Award
4. Best Business Start–up Award
5. Family Run Business Award
6. Green Business Award
7. Agriculture, Food & Drink Award
8. Service Business Award

East Belfast Mission’s Social Economy project became a Provincial award winner in the Social Entrepreneurship category and Anne and Neil were thrilled with the presentation.

Provincial award winners will go on to compete in their respective categories at an all–island awards ceremony in Dublin in April 2012 where one category winner will also be crowned overall ‘Ulster Bank Business Achiever 2011’.

The 2011 Ulster Bank Business Achiever will receive a comprehensive reward package including a publishing bursary with the Irish Independent, business mentoring, a full service communications workshop, as well as much positive national and regional PR coverage.

Declan Fitzgerald, Managing Director of Business Banking, Ulster Bank said, “The 2010 Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards received a record number of entries. Despite ongoing economic difficulties, success stories are stemming from businesses across all sectors throughout the island of Ireland. The Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards was established to acknowledge business success and reward companies who have displayed exceptional determination and innovation whilst battling to stay ahead of their competitors. These businesses are an exceptional example to others and their achievements must be recognised.”

For further information go to

www.businessachieversaward.com

[17/11/11]

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has spoken to loyalist representatives in Belfast, including PUP leader Billy Hutchinson, during his first official visit to Northern Ireland.

Following talks at Stormont with the First and Deputy First Ministers, Mr Kenny was in the east of the city for engagements on the Lower Newtownards Road and Short Strand.

He met representatives of the loyalist community at the East Belfast Mission and also a group of school children on Thursday evening.

The Taoiseach told UTV he is delighted to be in the city.

“With the difficulties that Northern Ireland has come through over very many years, it is a great privilege to be here,” Mr Kenny said.

“Seeing the community spirit that is in the city, Belfast is doing so well now.

“The MTV awards created a sense of excitement – and as somebody who is interested in sport the achievements with McIlroy, McDowell and Clarke are wonderful for NI and we want to assist that in any way we can.”

The visit comes just months after former Irish president Mary McAleese also travelled to this part of the city, meeting protestant and catholic representatives.

Loyalist PUP leader Billy Hutchinson said the trips are a sign that cross–border relationships have changed.

“The relationship between the Republic and us is far from what it was,” he told UTV.

“This visit is a sign of the times. A lot of work has been done over the years building bridges so it’s not a big deal any longer.”

[17/11/11]

East Belfast Mission has been about since the 1800s, but its job remains the same:

to transform and renew East Belfast, a mission which underpins its latest recycling initiatives, Re:Furb, Re:Fresh, Re:Store and Vintage. The Re:Furb project, funded by DOE’s Rethink Waste Campaign, accepts donated furniture that can be refurbished or reupholstered before selling through the Re:Store shops. Previously, donations could not be accepted if they did not reach a certain standard and this was simply because the goods were “sold as seen”. Due to the project, furniture can now be stripped down, repainted, recovered and even made fire retardant before being sold through the Re:Store shops. Re:Fresh café provides a focal point for community gatherings, supports the East Belfast Mission’s meals–on–wheels service and provides hot and nutritious food to locals and visitors alike. Veteran East Belfast community activist Maurice Kinkead, who nominated East Belfast Mission’s Director of Business Development Anne Walsh for the Aisling Business Award, praises her “unstoppable” attitude. “Anne is an inspiration to everyone in East Belfast,” he said, “she displays great gusto and determination in every project she spearheads.”

 East Belfast Mission won the award for Best Belfast Business! Here are a couple of pictures from the Awards:

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