Established over 50 years ago, Queen’s Film Theatre is Northern Ireland’s only arthouse cinema, showing a diverse range of films for a diverse audience.

In recent years they have relied heavily on their clever use of Facebook in order to drive audiences to the theatre.

Ellen Reay has been the Marketing Coordinator at Queen’s Film Theatre since 2019. She has an MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy from University of London, and before returning to Northern Ireland to work at QFT, she previously worked in marketing for the Barbican Centre in London, the Independent Cinema Office, and London International Festival of Theatre.

Ellen delivered a Lunchtime Learning session about how businesses can maximise their use of Facebook facilitated by the Cathedral Quarter BID (Business Improvement District).

Ellen talked about her experiences of using Facebook to promote the theatre, as well as some tips and tricks she has picked up along the way.

She said: “When I started working for QFT I inherited their social media strategy, which aimed to pinpoint the focus of our social media efforts. 

“It focused on communication, information, and collaboration, but the overarching theme was community. 

“Based on this, I shifted our focus to encouraging the community (developing the brand), informing the community (generating sales), and helping the community (offering customer service via social media).” 

Here are Ellen’s key takeaways from the session:

1. Encouraging the Community (Developing the Brand)

Ellen explained that there was a massive spike in engagement on the QFT Facebook page when they celebrated the 50^th anniversary of QFT with the QFT50 campaign. 

“This campaign gave us the freedom to talk more about our organisation and our history. We created two new campaigns on Facebook – #TBT and #WeAreQFT. #TBT, or throwback-Thursday, is not a new campaign, but it gave us an easy and recognisable way to share our history with our audience. 

“We digitised our archive of programmes and image stock, so rather than them gathering dust, we were able to share them with our followers.

“#WeAreQFT was inspired by social media accounts like ‘Humans of New York. Every week a member of the QFT community is put in the spotlight. This could be a member of staff, a regular customer, or a special guest. 

“We created a questionnaire for the feature and then share the answers in the post. These posts perform exceptionally well for us, with roughly a 60% increase in reach and 670% increase in engagement compared to other posts on our page.

“The plan is to run these campaigns for a year and then take stock, with a six-month review in between. We are looking for what commonalities there are in the posts that perform well compared with those that don’t, as well as checking if there is a clear better time for QFT to post.”

2. Informing the Community (Generating Sales)

QFT have between two and 20 showings per week, and Ellen explained they rarely get a lead time that is longer than six weeks. 

She added: “To keep us agile and responsive, we have a weekly posting schedule and the rest of our content is directed by trends or business needs. We have a weekly marketing meeting, and currently post approximately every hour each weekday.

“Monday is ‘Monday Madness’ with £4 tickets, Tuesday is #WeAreQFT, Wednesday is the following week’s programme, Thursday is #TBT, and Friday is Fresh Film Friday where we talk about a new release. 

“We make a lot of our own content by putting our branding over film imagery, but we also share independent content such as reviews for films that can encourage debate.

“Facebook Events are really important to us. Special Screenings are added as events. Where a post about a screening might get 2,000 impressions, an event for the same screening would get around 32,000 impressions.”

3. Helping the Community (Customer Service via Facebook)

“We have a contact number and contact page on our website, but we are finding more and more that people are turning to social media to make enquiries or ask for advice” said Ellen, adding: “We use Facebook Messenger for customer service. We communicate in an automatic reply how long it should take to receive a response, and we also use automatic replies for frequently asked questions.”

QFT’s successful use of Facebook to market their business should inspire small business owners to try new things on the platform. 

When considering your Facebook strategy Ellen said: “Think about your strategy, your brand, personalising your content, using word of mouth, and make sure to evaluate and review performance and make tweaks based on the results. 

“A lot of marketers are short on time, but this step is important. Also, while Facebook is a key component of our marketing strategy and a lot of what we do is organic, to get your brand in front of a new audience, you generally have to pay for some Facebook advertising.” 

Check out Ellen’s full Lunchtime Learning on the Cathedral Quarter website: https://www.cathedralquarterbelfast.com/whats-on/lunchtime-learning-how-the-qft-uses-facebook-to-put-bums-on-seats/

To see more Lunchtime Learning sessions go to: https://www.cathedralquarterbelfast.com/lunchtime-learning 

Enjoy world class cooking and produce with Eat Out to Help Out scheme

Tourism Northern Ireland is encouraging local people to explore Northern Ireland’s world-class food scene during their staycations with the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. There’s never been a better time to enjoy Northern Ireland’s outstanding restaurants, gastro pubs, cafés and other eateries after the government vowed to pick up part of your bill throughout August. And better yet, the offer is unlimited!

From 3 to 31 August, Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme will see meals being discounted by 50%, up to a maximum of £10 per person including children (alcohol and service charges not included), in a bid to give the economy a post-lockdown boost.

What do you need to do? Absolutely nothing! Just simply look out for participating hotels, pubs and restaurants displaying the logo, and make sure to book a table.

Participating restaurants will automatically have the discount applied to customers’ bills on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays during August. There is now a portal of participating restaurants available – simply enter your postcode and find venues within a 5 mile radius that are taking part in the initiative.

Tourism NI Experience Development Officer for Food and Drink, Gary Quate said: “During lockdown, we all had our time to shine in the kitchen, or otherwise! The people of Northern Ireland deserve some culinary repose and there has never been a better time to support our local industry.

“From Michelin rated restaurants to fantastic gastro pubs, the food scene in Northern Ireland is flourishing.  Our talented chefs look forward to serving up some of the best local produce that Northern Ireland is renowned for. The Eat Out to Help Out scheme is a fantastic opportunity for diners to embrace a giant taste of Northern Ireland.”

Please visit https://discovernorthernireland.com/blog/read/2020/07/eat-out-to-help-out-b151 to learn more and access an inspirational list of restaurants participating in the scheme.

Planning your next holiday? Stay local while still getting away at discovernorthernireland.com. #DiscoverNI #EmbraceAGiantSpirit

New ‘Coast & City Twincation’ and ‘Causeway Coastal Food Tour Staycation’ packages

WITH three out of four people admitting that they aren’t going to be holidaying abroad this year, Hastings Hotels is taking the hard work out of planning a summer staycation in Northern Ireland with the launch of a fabulous selection of breaks across its seven properties, including the ‘Coast & City Twincation’ and the ‘Causeway Coastal Food Tour Staycation’

Julie Hastings, Marketing Director of Hastings Hotels said: “With many of us enjoying summer closer to home this year, we wanted to provide some inspiration on what there is to see and do across Northern Ireland. We are blessed with lots of stunning scenery, coastal walks, beaches and attractions and we are encouraging people to take this opportunity to explore. We’ve created a lovely selection of summer staycations including the Coast & City Twincation and the Causeway Coastal Food Tour Staycation and we hope it will give people a nice taste of what is on offer.”

Coast & City Twincation – Slieve Donard Resort & Spa and Europa Hotel

Enjoy a four-night staycation with breakfast each morning from only £270pps*. Soak up the coastal town of Newcastle where you will spend two nights at the majestic Slieve Donard Resort & Spa.  Located next door to Royal County Down, the hotel boasts incredible views of the Mourne Mountains and is a short drive from places of beauty including Tollymore Forest Park, Silent Valley, Castlewellan Country Park and Murlough Bay Nature Reserve. 

This fabulous offer also includes a two-night break in the world-famous Europa Hotel. Perfectly located in the city centre, guests can take in the sights of Belfast and beyond, enjoy a spot of shopping and dine out in the fabulous eateries.

Causeway Coastal Food Tour Staycation – Ballygally Castle

Ballygally Castle has teamed up with Toast the Coast to offer a two-night foodie break with luxurious accommodation and breakfast each morning and a self-drive food tour along the Causeway Coastal Route from only £210pps*.

During the tour, you will visit Glenarm Castle Estate & Tea Rooms where you can enjoy atasting plate of the award-winning Organic Glenarm Smoked Salmon & Organic Shorthorn Beef. After this it’s on to Mary McBride’s & The Little Black Door in Cushendun, the original bar is one of Ireland’s smallest pubs, where you’ll enjoy a selection of Homemade Pie, Seafood Chowder and Salad. The final Toast to the Coast is a light supper and tipple at Ballygally Castle.

The self-drive tour has been created to ensure guests can take it at their leisure and make the most of one of Northern Ireland’s most breath-taking coastal routes. All reservations are made in advance allowing you the time to enjoy space to explore. Stop off at open, spacious scenic places along the way. Take in the well-known attractions or hidden gems dotted all along your journey, in between each food stop and then during the rest of the afternoon. 

For further information or to book a Summer Staycation with Hastings Hotels go to www.hastingshotels.com or call 028 9047 1066.

*Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

Stay local while still getting away

After being cooped up in the house over the lockdown period, families now have a chance to pack up and escape to completely new adventures with staycation fun and fantastic offers and places to stay in Northern Ireland. 

Northern Ireland’s giant spirit is ready to safely welcome visitors again and the chance to have epic fun without the epic trek. From unique cottages, luxury resorts, stylish self-catering, cosy lodges and family friendly hotels, there is a whole host of options for booking your perfect family staycation now that will suit the whole family.

This summer and autumn, it’s not about how far, it’s about how fun so embrace the unique surroundings of Northern Ireland with some family friendly suggestions for accommodation from Discover NI:

Belfast

• The Maldron Hotel Belfast City (4*) is located right in the heart of the city centre, offering convenience but a budget friendly option. With family rooms available, fun family activities, great shopping, restaurants, historic landmarks and public transport options right on its doorstep, it is the ideal base for your next family break in the city. The hotel offers brand new, stylish rooms designed to deliver maximum comfort to all guests. Visit https://www.maldronhotelbelfastcity.com/

• Speaking of the city centre, the Clayton Hotel Belfast (4*) is right on Ormeau Road, in the heart of the action and behind City Hall. This makes it a great spot for getting around the city sights on foot. There’s plenty to keep the kids busy – splash around in the swimming pool (planning to open at the start of August) and taste world cuisine in the on-site Avenue 22 restaurant with a kid-friendly menu. Visit https://www.claytonhotelbelfast.com/

County Down

• Green Holiday Cottages (4*) are situated at the friendly fishing port of Kilkeel in County Down. These corn and flax mill buildings have been beautifully restored to create a set of family-friendly cottages, each of which is fully equipped with all you need, including outdoor kitchens with BBQ and Pizza ovens. There are cottages here to suit families with up to 6 members. There is also a large secure garden outdoor play area and three pygmy goats, known as the three Billy Goats Green. Visit https://greenholidaycottages.com/

• The stunning Horseshoe Cottage (4*) on the shores of Strangford Lough combines cosiness and comfort. Tracey and Joe are committed to the highest standards of accommodation and invite their guests to feel at home with them. A great retreat for families, the cottage offers two double bedrooms, one with twin beds and one with double bed. Guests are welcomed with freshly made Soda and Brown bread along with homemade jams and butters. For family activities, the cottage is less than ten miles away from the Castle Espie Wetland Centre and when booking, ask about bread making classes with Tracey during your stay. Visit https://www.horseshoecottage.co.uk/

County Fermanagh

• In the Fermanagh Lakelands you’ll find Lusty Beg Island Resort (4*). Just a short ferry trip from the shores of Lower Lough Erne, this place is simply packed with things to keep grown-ups, kids and even grown up kids happy all day and all night. There’s an adventure centre, games room, tennis court, bar and restaurant. A choice of self-catering accommodation is available here, from hotel-style rooms to open plan island cabins. Visit https://www.lustybegisland.com/en/

• The Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges (4*) is the perfect base to explore the Fermanagh Lakeland’s. With stunning views overlooking scenic Lough Erne, the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel offers 71 spacious rooms including interconnecting family rooms and for those preferring the freedom of a self-catering break why not stay in one the hotels’ self-catering Lakeside Lodges (available for Autumn Breaks).  Look forward to lots of family fun in their new on-site Play Park. The hotel also has an indoor swimming pool with kids section opening from 7th August available for the whole family to enjoy, so don’t forget to pack your swimsuit. Mum and Dad can restore their ‘Kalm’ with a luxury Elemis Spa Treat at Kalm Spa, open from 17th July. Visit https://www.killyhevlin.com/

County Antrim

• Explore the picturesque seaside resort in the Portrush Atlantic Hotel (3*) with its multitude of attractions and activities from the perfect central base. From grand historic castles to challenging golf courses, the town offers something for everyone, and all will be on your doorstep should you set up camp at the Atlantic. Ideal for families looking for a getaway by the sea with great walks, picnic spots and opportunities for water sports. Visit https://www.portrushatlantic.com/

• Looking for a relaxing break to the beach for you and the kids? The Marine Hotel Ballycastle (3*) offers an unrivalled seafront position on the Causeway Coastal Route. From soft golden sands to pebbled hideaways, there is so much for you and your family to enjoy. The hotel offers several family friendly offers, including family bunk rooms, interconnecting rooms and beach house family rooms. Pack your bags and bring the whole family to the coast. Visit https://marinehotelballycastle.com/

County Tyrone

• The award-winning Blessingbourne Estate (3*4*5*) offers pet friendly self-catering accommodations, perfect for a whole family getaway. A beautiful historic 550 acre Country Estate, nestled in the heart of woodlands, lakes and wildlife on the edge of the Clogher Valley and within walking distance of Fivemiletown village. With a multitude of family-friendly accommodations, offers are filling up fast for the summer, with more availabilities open into the autumn. Visit https://www.blessingbourne.com/ .

• Finn Valley Cottages (4*) in County Tyrone offer idyllic holiday homes near Strabane, surrounded by natural beauty looking out onto the Donegal hills. This region offers a truly authentic experience, steeped in tradition, with many attractions and activities. Choose from 4 self-catering cottages and enjoy a relaxing family break with a common area games room, pool table, as well as a large open grass area for kids to play outside. Visit https://finnvalleycottages.com/

County Londonderry

• The Roe Park Resort (4*) in Limavady is the perfect base for a family-friendly escape to explore the wonders of the North Coast, situated close to the Giant’s Causeway and just 20 minutes from Benone Beach.  With a range of family-friendly rooms,children under 3 stay for free and the resort offers a special £20 bed and breakfast deal for kids aged 3-12. The resort has two superb restaurants, the Coach House Brasserie (closed at present but due to reopen) and The Courtyard with a family friendly menu. The resort also has an indoor pool (closed at present but due to reopen) to enjoy with the kids. Visit https://www.roeparkresort.com/. 

• Perched on the banks of the River Foyle, within a five-minute walk from the historic walls in Derry~Londonderry, the City Hotel Derry is ready to welcome you and your family to a location steeped in history, culture and fun. The hotel offers a range of family friendly rooms and is a great base for exploring the city. Visit https://www.cityhotelderry.com/

County Armagh

• Caitlin’s Cottage (4*) in County Armagh offers great facilities for a well-earned family break. Located in a quiet rural setting it is a perfect location to explore the many attractions the area has to offer such as fishing, walking, cycling and horse-riding. This beautiful self-catering property, set in the rolling hills of south Armagh comfortably sleeps six with two double rooms, one with en-suite, and a twin room with single beds. Plus, it is fully equipped with all modern conveniences. Visit https://www.caitlinscottage.com/

• The Ballydougan Pottery Cottages (4*) in Portadown are wonderful self-catering holiday cottages within an enclosed courtyard at Ballydougan Pottery. Also on-site are a working pottery, a gift shop, coffee lounge and restaurant – set to reopen on the 3^rd of August. Situated in a quiet rural location convenient to Craigavon, this is a wonderful base for a country retreat with the family and ideal for exploring many great locations within Northern Ireland. Visit http://www.ballydouganpottery.co.uk/

Social distancing measures of 1 metre are now in place across Northern Ireland to ensure the safety of everyone. In addition, ‘We’re Good To Go’ is a new UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark to provide reassurance to businesses, customers and communities that safe working guidelines in relation to COVID-19 have been adopted. 

Book in advance to avoid disappointment and to explore much more in Northern Ireland, visit discovernorthernireland.com or follow Discover NI on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  

Steeped in Celtic history, Navan Centre in Ireland’s Orchard County provides a legendary FREE day out this August

Armagh’s Navan Centre, which tells the story of one of the world’s most important archaeological sites, the Navan Fort, safely reopens to the public from Thursday July 30 with a new and exciting fresh take on its 2,000-year-old history.

Now free to enter for the month of August, the popular visitor attraction, located just two minutes from Ireland’s ecclesiastical capital, Armagh City, is currently at the centre of a new global focus after researchers uncovered new evidence of “absolutely huge” religious structures dating back to the Iron Age.

Long popular with visitors from across the island, the Navan Centre will be open from Thursdays through to Sunday every week with a new and exciting programme of outdoor interpretative events which celebrate its pivotal place in history, its Celtic past and the stories of warriors, knights and legends.

Exploring how the area’s native countrymen and women lived, what they ate, wore and how they spent their days with practical demonstrations, talks and interpretative events, Navan Centre & Fort provides visitors with one the best, unique family days out.

Welcoming its return, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Kevin Savage, said:

“One of the best-rated ‘excellent’ days out on TripAdvisor, a visit to Navan Fort & Centre will be an experience you’ll remember. Fill your heart with thrilling stories, enjoy the beautiful views and open space, you’ll easily be forgiven for immersing yourself in an experience you will long remember.”

With archaeological evidence of the site dating back to 95BC, its experienced tour guides will safely accompany you to what is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s most famous sites – long considered to be the real reason for St Patrick’s return to these shores.

“A sacred and spiritual place with global importance, this inspirational destination is perfect for those with a sense of adventure and a curious mind,” the Lord Mayor said.

“A visit to Navan Fort & Centre is just one of many experiences available in County Armagh which celebrates the area’s rich cultural history and heritage, hospitality and variety of great places to visit and stay this summer.”

From Armagh’s striking Palace Demesne and Park, Lurgan, Loughgall and Gosford Forest Parks to the southern shores of Lough Neagh, the ABC borough is home to some of Northern Ireland’s best havens for relaxation and recreation, and many hidden gems, and is ideal for a range of outdoor pursuits.

Famous around the world as Ireland’s ‘Orchard County’ and filled with thousands of acres of Bramley apple trees interspersed with forests, parks meadows and walking trails ideal for picnics – or just to take in the views – there’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy.

For more information, www.visitarmagh.com/navan or phone 048 3752 9644.

Discover what Ards and North Down has to offer with a selection of fantastic experiences that let you explore some fascinating places, enjoy some delicious food and immerse yourself in the beauty of the borough while enjoying a friendly welcome!

From paddleboarding and kayaking to cooking your own freshly caught fish, as well as a watercolour workshop that will get those creative juices flowing, you can enjoy the natural beauty of our countryside while enjoying all of the warmth and hospitality that Ards and North Down has to offer.

Running from August until early October, six different experiences offer something for everyone.

The first Sunrise Paddle and Yoga Experience (1 Aug) starts with an early morning paddle in the waters of Strangford Lough that takes you to an island where yoga and breakfast await.

If you fancy the perfect foodie adventure, then Catch and Cook (22 Aug/6 Sep) lets you head out from Bangor Marina with a local boatman, giving you the opportunity to catch your own fish, before returning to cook at one of Bangor’s seafront restaurants.

You can also try a guided SUP-NIC Paddleboarding Experience (29 Aug/12 Sep/3 Oct) that includes a picnic on your paddleboard while you take in the beautiful surroundings.

If tea and cake is more your thing, the Killinchy based Canoe and Cake Experience (30 Aug/5 Sep) lets you enjoy the sights of Strangford Lough from the water. Then you will visit a traditional Irish thatched cottage for some delicious cake where you will also be treated to a demonstration of soda bread making.

You can also Explore the Shore (20 Sep) at Whiterock by kayak on a magical adventure that brings you closer to the lough’s wildlife. Stop off at one of the many islands before foraging for mussels with your guide and trained chef, who will cook them with a local Irish whiskey cream sauce.

If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on dry land, you can awaken your creative spirit at the Water’s Edge Watercolours Workshop (26 Sep) in Castle Espie Wetland Centre. Enjoy a brief tour with a guide before joining local artist, Bernice Anderson, for coffee, scones and a two-hour workshop where you will create a pen and watercolour illustration of the Centre’s birds.

All providers will operate the experiences with COVID-19 measures in line with current government guidance.

Spaces for all experiences are strictly limited so book early to avoid disappointment. For more information, including ticket prices and booking, go to visitardsandnorthdown.com/experienceAND.

Having been closed for more than four months during lockdown, it’s time for the Strand Arts Centre to go Back to the Future.

The East Belfast venue re-opens to the public today. Last night there was a special screening for the local community of the 1985 classic about a time-travelling DeLorean.

Back to the Future is just one of a number of classic and recent releases that the Strand will screen in the coming weeks. Other family favourites include Trolls World Tour, The Greatest Showman and The Empire Strikes Back. The first big new release will be Disney’s Mulan, scheduled for 19th August.

Strand Arts Centre CEO Mimi Turtle said she was thrilled at the prospect of welcoming people through the doors once again.

“Since March we have continued to engage with our audiences by providing weekly arts and crafts workshops, music and comedy online. But nothing beats having customers coming into the building so that will be very exciting.

“We’ve had a deep clean, steam clean, some improvements to our sound and projection quality, and now it’s last minute touches to the paintwork. We’re nearly ready and hope our audiences are too.

“And we wanted to do something just before we open to bring the local community together. It’s been a very tough few months for our local traders and artists. I hope this special screening will help to rally everyone and get East Belfast back on its feet again.” 

As with other venues, Strand Arts Centre has introduced plenty of measures to provide a safe and fun cinema experience. As well as a ticketing system that blocks off other seats around you, staff will be wearing movie-themed face coverings made especially for the Strand by local volunteer Emma McCrory.

“I live and work close to the Strand,” said Emma, “but I love sewing, knitting and crocheting in my spare time. I had already been working with Masks 4 All Ireland on providing masks for hospitals and care homes, but I wanted to do something for my local cinema and arts centre. I got involved with the UK-wide Big Community Sew, led in Northern Ireland by Angeline Murphy who was a contestant on the Great British Sewing Bee, and I created over 50 masks for the Strand, featuring characters and designs from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel and older classics. 

“I think we can safely say that we have some of the best face coverings out there,” said Mimi from the Strand. “We are so grateful to Emma for the many days that she spent to make them. What a lovely gesture. I was initially concerned as to what our staff might think of the idea of wearing face coverings, but they could not be happier at the prospect of greeting our customers sporting masks inspired by the movies!” 

For more information on the Strand’s re-opening line-up, visit www.strandartscentre.com. 

Arguments for and against wearing school uniforms have raged since time immemorial. From ‘reducing peer pressure’ and ‘improving focus’ to ‘stifling individuality’ and ‘unaffordable cost for parents’, there’s no doubt that there are both pros and cons for uniforms. 

For parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), however, the list of ‘cons’ is never-ending. That’s because, in addition to the usual gripes that children may have with wearing school uniforms, children with ASD have their own specialised, individual issues with it. 

Meta Auden, founder of Spectra Sensory Clothing explained: “If you’re a parent of a child with ASD, you’ll be only too aware of how many problems your child can experience with regard to clothing, let alone the additional problems posed by having to wear a school uniform. 

“Your child may, for example, have a sensitivity to certain materials and labels. School uniforms may throw up a raft of extra problems, such as washing labels, itchy materials and seams. We recently heard of one child, who repeatedly developed a patch on her neck, which seemed to arise from wearing her school polo shirt. She has now become so sensitive to even the sight of the polo shirt that she is refusing to go to school

“Perhaps you have a child, who only wants to wear jogging pants and T-shirts? How do you persuade them to wear a shirt and more ‘formal’ trousers?

“Or maybe your child isn’t toilet trained when they first start school? Then you’re faced with the dilemma of how to fit nappies under traditional school trousers: trousers which, as you know, he won’t tolerate in the slightest anyway.”

According to Meta, the same goes for if you have a daughter, who refuses to wear the regulation skirt. How do you circumvent this issue?

The answer to many of the problems created by school uniforms can lie in a sensory clothing range, which also offers school uniform items: items which look like traditional uniforms, but have the added advantage of providing the most comfort and least sensory irritation to your child. 

These items contain special features, which may be the answer to your prayers:

• If your child is affected by certain types of material, for example, a sensory school clothing range can enable your child to wear soft clothing items, such as a T-shirt, under their school clothes as a ‘barrier’ to calm any potential irritation caused by the school items
• Autism-friendly socks, meanwhile, are completely seamless, therefore removing the need for your child to itch and scratch at seams throughout the school day
• Necklines on tops and shirts may also be worn inside or out, enabling your child to wear the top whichever way feels most comfortable to them and removing any potential embarrassment about having their T-shirt on ‘the wrong way round’.
• Shirt collars may have ‘soft collars’ for maximum comfort and may come with imitation buttons, meaning that your child can put the shirt on over their head instead of having to struggle with buttons.

“As a parent of a child with ASD, you’ll be only too aware of how difficult it is for your child to concentrate and focus for long periods of time” said Meta, “You want them to get the most out of their education and school experience – not having them spending the whole school day focussing on the discomfort and distress caused by what they’re wearing.”

For many families sensory clothing may provide both they and their child with peace of mind. 

Find out more about Spectra Sensory’s uniform options at spectrasensoryclothing.co.uk/product-category/school-uniform

For the first time ever the YMCA’s extensive Greenhill residential facilities in Newcastle, County Down will be available to the general public to book.

Prior to the Covid 19 outbreak, the national YMCA centre was only available to YMCA young people and community groups. But due to the restrictions on school and youth group residentials, it has cabins, chalets, and a guest house which can now be booked by families for a short time.

Centre manager at Greenhill, Kenny Baxter, said the work of the YMCA continues to be to support vulnerable young people as a core part of its mission, but now we have the opportunity to welcome families to our beautiful site on the side of the Mournes..

“We have a range of self-catering accommodation that is used and enjoyed by 10,000 young people every year,” he explained. 

“While that outdoor learning experience is part of our essential work that we hope to return to very soon, we are delighted to be able to offer the accommodation sited in beautiful surroundings to another audience.”

In Donard Forest Park, Greenhill has five cabins that would be the perfect location for a family staycation, and two large chalets ideal for groups such as walkers or cyclists.

“Greenhill is more than just accommodation, there are always a diverse group of volunteers here to welcome you,” said Kenny. 

“Opening up to the public and enabling them to experience what we have on offer is a key part of this move.

“Our mission is to develop a society where children and young people can freely explore, learn and develop. Making our facilities open to the public will allow us to make sure our excellent facilities are used for the benefit of young people in the future.”

“Our mission is to develop a society where children and young people can freely explore, learn and develop. Making our facilities open to the public will allow us to make sure our excellent facilities are used for the benefit of young people in the future.”

Any revenue generated will be ploughed back into Greenhill to help us through these difficult times to return back to doing the work that we have been doing on this site for many years.

Over the recent lockdown period staff and volunteers provided support for young people with significant additional needs, delivered food parcels in the community, and engaged in online youth work support with local and international young people.To find out more, or to book one of the facilities at Greenhill visit greenhill-ymca.org

The Walled City Music International Online Piano Competition has reached its final round with six young pianists from Canada, Ireland, Japan, Poland, Taiwan and the USA competing to win the first place spot this Friday 24 July. 

41 participants have taken part in the online edition of the competition, submitting video performances from 17 different countries across the globe. Adjudicators from the USA and Asia, together with Festival Director Cathal Breslin, from Derry, N. Ireland, have whittled down the exceptionally high standard performances to six extremely talented young pianists, aged between 15 and 31 years. The finalists are: Katherine Benson (USA), Elzbieta Bilicka (Poland), Yung-Li Chen (Taiwan), Alexander Malikov (Canada), Takuma Onodera (Japan) and Clara Siegle (Ireland).

The final round performances, which feature newly recorded, 30 minute solo recitals from each player, will be available to view on YouTube from Wednesday 22 July and will be judged by world-renowned pianists Barry Douglas (UK) and Awadagin Pratt (USA). The results will be announced on Friday 24 July via Facebook and participants will receive 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rdplace cash prizes, a number of special awards and for the winner, the opportunity to perform a solo concert in the 2021 Walled City Music Festival in Derry. 

Festival Director and Chair of the Adjudicating Panel Dr. Cathal Breslin says, “We have been thrilled by the very high standard of piano playing from all 41 participants this year. Our judges have had their work cut out for them and we are very excited to see what is presented by the six talented young pianists who have made it to the final stage this week.”

The results of the final will be announced at 8pm on Friday 24 July on the Walled City Music Festival Facebook page and will also be available at www.wcmpiano.com.