Belfast Teens Shine: Winning Hearts with Kindness

A group of teenagers from a Belfast school have been named as the winners of an award from The King’s Trust after working together to create and distribute hampers for homeless shelters in the city.

Heading: Making a Difference
The King’s Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Awards recognise young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life, and had a positive impact on their local community.

Heading: Community Impact
St Joseph’s College scooped the JD Foundation Community Impact award, which recognises a group of young people who have made a positive contribution to their local community or school and have developed their own personal skills through teamwork.

Heading: Personal Reflections
Shea, a pupil at the school, expressed her pride in completing the homeless project and helping others feel valued and loved. The Achieve Club's project showcased how a small group can make a big impact.

Heading: Overcoming Barriers
The students faced personal fears and barriers to create 100 ‘welcome hampers’ for homeless shelters in Belfast, demonstrating resilience and teamwork.

Heading: Recognizing Achievements
The teacher, John Mulholland, praised the students for their maturity, compassion, and the positive impact they made on their community. Simon Community also expressed gratitude for the students' generosity and support.

Heading: Inspiring Others
The pupils hope their actions will inspire other young people to make a difference in their local community, by providing respect, kindness, and dignity to those in need.