EastSide Partnership set out vision for East Belfast over the next five years

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A regeneration charity has set out its vision for the next five years as it hopes to make a "a thriving, connected and welcoming East Belfast".

The EastSide Partnership launched its strategic framework for 2025-2030 at a special event in Templemore Baths this week where it laid out plans to enhance and support the area with a variety of different schemes which include the regeneration of Newtownards Road and the Holywood Arches, expanding the popular greenway network and tackling poverty and deprivation within communities.

Since launching in 1995, the charity has had a huge impact on East Belfast as it has helped spearhead acclaimed projects and developments such as the Connswater Community Greenway, EastSide Visitors Centre and C.S Lewis Square.

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It has also helped to support local residents and the community through EastSide Learning's education network that aims to tackle underachievement and helped children reach their full potential.

This is alongside its work to highlight and celebrate the culturally heritage of East Belfast with its art festivals and drive to make the area a go-to destination for visitors coming to the city.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Chief Executive Michele Bryans said EastSide Partnership had set clear goals for the next five years which she believes will help make East Belfast a thriving, connected and welcoming place.

She says that the charity aims to continue to grow its five key branches, EastSide Arts, EastSide Greenways, EastSide Learning, EastSide Property and EastSide Tourism while working with their partners in the city in order to make a lasting impact.

Michele Bryans Chief Executive EastSide Partnership (centre) with east Belfast residents and launch event panellist participants Steven Patterson Hometown Tours Belfast partner of EastSide Tourism, Alison Pascoe artist and EastSide Arts facilitator, Jennifer Donnelly teacher St Matthews Church Short Strand and member of EastSide Learning Early Years Network, Aaron Irvine EastSide Greenway Legacy Project and Greenway Leader.

Speaking about regeneration plans in the coming years she said: "We have a number of Neighbourhood Regeneration plans in place such as the Holywood Arches strategy and Your Vision for the Newtownards Road and we remain committed to physical development, especially in areas which have vacancy and dereliction.

"Some of our emerging projects include an extension to EastSide Visitor Centre and a Tourism Accommodation project, both at C.S. Lewis Square, with support from the Belfast City Council Social Outcomes Fund and Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund and we are exploring plans for a housing development adjacent to this site at Connswater Street.

"Our Greenway project continues to champion green space advocating for a wider extension of Greenway development across east Belfast with emerging links including Sydenham Greenway and Montgomery Road Greenway. The Greenway project are also bringing stakeholders together to explore options for the redevelopment of Orangefield Park bowling pavilion to support use of the park for local people and visitors alike."

Building relationships with the local community and partner organisations is a key aspect of the charity and Michele says that she hopes it can build on the successes it has had so far.

Michele continued: "Our work is well known and respected as a key connection point in east Belfast. We are always available and accessible to every group while facilitating others to develop, co-operate and collaborate.

"Our local contacts and relationships are strong and our staff have expertise in managing the wide range of stakeholder voices across east Belfast and they are represented on community forums and networks which helps listen to the voices and needs of local communities. Our structure is unique in that we include representation from the community, elected members and private sector which allows for a broad range of voices, opinion and expertise.

"A current example of this is an EastSide Greenways project called ‘Peoples Planet’ which will bring together up to 15 local people to develop an action plan for a climate resilient east Belfast. Our EastSide Learning project also coordinates the EastSide Early Years Network which brings together early year’s providers across the area – promoting collaboration and sharing of good practice."

King Charles and Queen consort Camillia visit C.S Lewis Square and Connswater Greenway in east Belfast during the 2nd day of their visit to Northern Ireland, in March. -Credit:Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
King Charles and Queen consort Camillia visit C.S Lewis Square and Connswater Greenway in east Belfast during the 2nd day of their visit to Northern Ireland, in March. -Credit:Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Tackling poverty, deprivation and inequality is something that is very important to the EastSide Partnership as it works to help everyone in East Belfast and make it a better place for everyone in the community.

Michele said: "We deliver the Neighbourhood Renewal contract with the Department for Communities (DfC) by firstly ensuring that all of our projects engage with the communities identified within the contract, as well as providing ongoing support to the Inner East & Tullycarnet Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships. We therefore prioritise the work we do in these communities to ensure that those most in need have access to the opportunities and services we deliver.

"From 2017 to April 2024 we delivered the Scaffolding Project with support from The Urban Villages Initiative. The project developed a strategic approach to alleviate the effects of poverty in east Belfast. It was born out of a working group of representatives from a number of community and voluntary organisations who were already delivering support services and who desired to work collaboratively to maximise resources in the local community. Unfortunately funding for the project came to an end, but what has emerged in east Belfast is the East Belfast Anti Poverty Alliance.

"The Alliance is made up of a number of community and voluntary organisations including EastSide Partnership and is coordinated by East Belfast Community Development Agency. The purpose of the Alliance is to harness the collective voice of East Belfast in order to tackle the root causes of poverty by influencing decision makers and to promote collaborative action in response to identified needs."

Tourism in East Belfast is a growing industry as the area seeks to celebrate its history, heritage and the impact that it has made across the world. The partnership has said that it aims to help promote this further and make the area even more attractive to visitors while ensuring that local residents and businesses benefit as well.

Michele said: "We want to Empower EastSide by investing in local people and local businesses to maximise our collective potential while also proudly celebrating our rich cultural tapestry and modern-day personality. We want East Belfast to be a unique and memorable experience for every visitor."

C.S Lewis' classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, from The Chronicles of Narnia celebrates its 70th birthday today. Pictured: Aslan in C.S Lewis Square, Belfast. -Credit:Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live
C.S Lewis' classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, from The Chronicles of Narnia celebrates its 70th birthday today. Pictured: Aslan in C.S Lewis Square, Belfast. -Credit:Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live

Commenting on the launch of the EastSide Partnership strategic framework, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA said: “I am delighted that my department continues to invest in the valuable work of EastSide Partnership through the Neighborhood Renewal programme, and supports their sustained development and delivery of regeneration initiatives in east Belfast. This new strategy sets out EastSide’s vision for the next five years and I look forward to collaborating with them, and the east Belfast community, to help deliver real change in the area.”

Andrew Hassard, Chair of EastSide Partnership, added: “On behalf of EastSide Partnership I would like to acknowledge and congratulate everyone involved in the development of our strategic framework for 2025 – 2030. Our staff and dedicated board members, across our company board and committee are ready to make an impact and change with our local community and are already engaged with many partners to take this forward. Many of our projects and programmes cannot take place if it weren’t for our partners, funders and sponsors and I would like to thank them for their continued support.”

For further information on EastSide Partnership visit www.eastsidepartnership.com. Facebook @EastSidePship; X @EastSidePship; Instagram @EastSidePship #EastSide2030.