Our Circles of Change are groups of 15 people from diverse communities who learn about Belfast through each other’s stories and contribute to a better future together.

We meet once a month for dinner over 8 months. During our first 4 sessions, we create a safe environment to enable group members to share their experiences of living in Belfast, supporting them to identify shared strengths and explore social challenges.

Over the next 4 sessions, we empower Circle members to raise money for their own Circle of Change fund, to invest in strengthening grassroots projects which tackle social issues they have identified.

The Circle of Change Fund provides unrestricted core funding, based on us seeing evidence that the funding will contribute to the work of the organisation that is aligned to the criteria.

Tony Macaulay, who is a well-known local author and member of this circle, says, ‘It’s amazing how much you can learn, simply by sitting in a circle and listening to the stories of people who live in the same place, but who are different from you. Identifying areas of common concern and then working together to raise money for projects to address these issues was a very fulfilling experience.’

‘The Circles have taught me that when people from diverse communities share their stories it unlocks a deep well of empathy and goodness’ says Tim Magowan who co-developed the Circles in Belfast. ‘In the midst of increasing polarisation in our world today, the Circles give me hope that we can build relationships across divides and contribute to a better future together’.

Liza Wilkinson, Circle 1 member says it was ‘Engaging, challenging & life changing experience’.

You can learn more about the impact of the Circle of Change on the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland's website.

https://communityfoundationni.org/case_studies/circle-of-change-2025/

The Circle of Change was also featured in the December 2025 issue of The Guardian Christmas Appeal.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/circleofchange2526