Alderman Sonia Copeland, Titanic DEA, Belfast City Council

20/04/2026

Next Friday 24th April we are hosting a fundraiser for the club! Everyone welcome over 18s only, all proceeds towards club overheads! Thank you very much to for organising this for us, we really appreciate all of the support you have given to us

13/04/2026

A truly magnificent ambassador for Northern Ireland.

Good morning from Northern Ireland ☀️

👩 Rory McIlroy MBE, Co Down.

🦉 Congratulations to Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy MBE on his incredible victory at the The Masters Tournament in Augusta.

Born on 4th May 1989, Rory hails from Holywood, County Down, and has become one of the finest golfers of his generation. His dedication, talent, and relentless pursuit of excellence continue to inspire fans across the world.

This remarkable achievement is a proud moment for Northern Ireland, celebrating a true sporting ambassador whose success reflects years of hard work and commitment to the game.

A well-deserved victory—congratulations Rory McIlroy 👏👏👏




www.asauk.org
Registered Charity NIC108368

13/04/2026

12/04/2026

Our Belfast Stories Community Grants are still open for applications!

£250,000 is now available to support community-led, creative storytelling projects across the city ahead of the flagship public space, visitor experience & creative hub opening in 2030.

Small grants of up to £10,000 and project grants of up to £30,000 are available.

The grant can be used for project management, engagement activities, project planning and delivery.

The deadline for applications is next Tuesday 14 April 2026 ☺️

Belfast Stories

07/04/2026

03/04/2026

At present, many community and voluntary youth service staff are on protective notice. With responsibility for funding now resting with the Education Authority, the ring-fence that once protected the youth service budget has effectively been removed.

As it stands, there is only an assurance of funding until 30 June 2026. That is simply not good enough.

I recently tabled several questions to the Education Minister on this matter, and the first response has now been received (see photo).

Youth services matter. They need clarity, stability and proper investment beyond June. These are the people on the ground every day, supporting young people, providing positive opportunities and helping steer them away from harm.

I will continue to fight for this important service, the impact of which I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand on many occasions.

If we are serious about giving young people the best chance in life, then we need to back the services that support them, not leave them facing uncertainty.

03/04/2026

It is now over a week on from our meeting about concerns over funding for youth work at Ledley Hall, East Belfast, and across Northern Ireland. Since then, parents have been asking what progress has been made, (given that we only have funding until 30th June), we wanted to share the update as we know it so far.
We contacted all East Belfast elected representatives, including councillors, MLAs and the MP. Of those contacted, 40% responded by way of an apology, attending the meeting, or taking some action.
So far actions taken, Peter McReynolds MLA and Councillor Fiona McAteer wrote to the Minister for Education to ask for a meeting and received a reply, which was incredibly disappointing. Alderman Sonia Copeland contacted both the Minister for Education and the Chair of the Education Committee, and Sonia has also arranged a meeting with Council Officers at Ledley Hall on Monday 13th April. Councillor Brian Smyth and Ruth Brooks wrote to Mervyn Storey, Chair of the Education Committee. Andy Allen MLA tabled questions to the Minister for Education, and we await these being asked in the chamber.
John Lynch CEO of the Youth Work Alliance will be meeting with Mervyn Storey (EA Board Chairperson), Tomas Odell (EA Director of SEND & Youth) and Arlene Kee (Assistant Director SEND & Youth) to discuss the situation across the region, with the issues raised by Ledley Hall forming part of that meeting.
At this point, we are not aware of any further action from other elected representatives.
We will keep our young people and parents informed of information as we get it.

01/04/2026

What a full day yesterday, educational queries, benefit issues and housing issues, especially around HMOs. I completely understand the community of East Belfast having a concern around the amount of HMOs within East Belfast, and the changing face of the community and they feel the destruction of family cohesion with the community. I intend to raise those concerns with the planning department. I’ve heard from elderly folk who have lived a full lifetime in the same home and in the same area all of their days. It’s where they felt safe. Who are now afraid of the amount of single men living in a four bedroomed house, beside them. I feel there needs to be some rigorous measures on landlords put in place to stop this.

To those damaging properties by breaking windows and using graffiti, you are not helping those residents who live in the area. I know of residents now who feel the need to move away altogether.

Last night I attended by kind invitation of the Lord Mayor Councillor Tracy Kelly, the 25th Anniversary of the PSNI in Belfast CIty Hall. We thank the police officers who every day and night, stand in harms way to protect the citizens of Northern Ireland. Yesterday we saw the stark reminder that there are those in society who care for no one, when having a delivery driver going about his work, made to drive his vehicle into Lurgan Police Station, with the boot carrying an explosive device. Thank goodness no one was injured.

People Always First!

31/03/2026

**EASTER BIN COLLECTIONS - Please share**

🐣All bin and box collections are taking place as normal on Good Friday (3 April)

🐣All bin and box collections are taking place as normal on Easter Tuesday (7 April)

🐣If your collection is due on Easter Monday (6 April), it will take place on Saturday 4 April instead.

If your bin is not emptied by 7pm on Saturday 4 April, please leave it back out again on Monday 6 April (by 7am).

Still not collected? Report it online, via our website, after 7pm on Monday 6 April.

Bryson Recycling collections will follow the same schedule.

Please remember to leave your bin or box out by 7am on your collection day.

**RECYCLING CENTRES**

♻️Good Friday & Easter Tuesday: Open as normal.

♻️Easter Sunday & Easter Monday: Closed.

Bulky waste collections do not take place on public holidays (Easter Sunday and Easter Monday)

Search 'holiday opening hours' on our website if you need to check any of our other services and facilities, including our office opening hours.