Promoting Positive Transformations

Dreamscheme is an award-winning youth development organisation seeking to bring about positive transformations in young people and communities in South and East Belfast. They offer a comprehensive youth work programme which encompasses youth support (building early engagement with ‘at risk’ groups) and youth intervention work (stepping in when there are identified problems).

Building relationships to make a positive, long-term difference in the lives of at-risk young people

Dreamscheme engage with over 300 young people annually and sustain relations with the young people over a period of 4-5 years.

The focus is on affirming young people and promoting self-worth; challenging attitudes and encouraging dialogue; encouraging active youth citizenship and developing young people’s life skills.

The Challenge

In 2019 it was reported the numbers of young girls being referred to NI Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services had escalated dramatically and disproportionately over the previous three years. At a local level Dreamscheme were also seeing a significant increase in the number of girls presenting with recent histories of self-harming, depression, bullying, and anxiety.

On conducting its own research, Dreamscheme identified that 71% of girls felt they were ‘not getting on well at school’, while 50% had ‘worries about the future’. In the same survey, 71% of girls attending Dreamscheme expressed their main challenges in life as being ‘mental health problems such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety’, while 64% voiced major problems with ‘not fitting in’.

Creating safe spaces where young people can thrive

The Response

In response Dreamscheme sought to invest and build their capacity and expertise to support teenage girls by employing a dedicated Girls’ Youth Worker to develop and lead a tailored support programme.

The new programme collated best practice, knowledge and insights in supporting at-risk girls and resulted in a flexible and responsive mix of in-school mentoring, group activities, peer support and dedicated role models.

The Results….

65% made progress in respect of school attendance & educational aspirations

76% reported enhanced emotional wellbeing

61% reported better communications and improved relationships

Positive Futures

Following on this success, Dreamscheme continues to invest in offering a dedicated Girls’ Youth Programme providing positive role models to listen, encourage, challenge and counsel.

Dreamscheme volunteers were recently recognised and celebrated by the presentation of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Other partners who are making a difference

Identifying the right network of dedicated and ambitious partners has enabled us to deliver on our charitable purposes and activities. Here are just some of the life-changing projects that our grant partners have been involved in.

Buddy Bear Trust

The Buddy Bear Trust Conductive Education School offers a structured learning environment where the child becomes an active participant in their own learning.

TEN Foundations

The TEN Foundations Livelihood Programme provides local mothers with the necessary skills and resources in order that they may provide for their own families and become self-sufficient.

Brain Injury Matters

Brain Injury Matters is dedicated to supporting, promoting and empowering those affected by Acquired Brain Injury to rebuild their lives and reach their full potential in family and community life.